Hello:

As you know on May 10, 2010 the OSPCA started to kill all of the 350 animals in their care. They were ultimately stopped by Newmarket MPP Frank Klees who called for the government to step in and halt the killing but not before 99 animals had been put down. The public outcry was deafening and the incident brought to attention the need to stop the abuse of power and the conflict of interest by OSPCA . In giving the OSPCA policing powers, the Ontario government relinquished control over the OSPCA. Consequently OSPCA does not answer to anyone.

Mr. Klees tabled a Resolution in the Ontario Legislature at Queens Park on June 1, 2010 asking for the Ontario government to separate the policing powers and the charitable status of the OSPCA. This has received unanimous support from the Progressive Conservative Caucus. The next step is to have the Resolution voted in Parliament. Only if it is passed will we finally take the first step in an attempt to protect our animals, pets and pet owners.

The spotlight has never shone brighter on the OSPCA than it is shining right now. This is the time to take action. I would ask that you join other Ontarians to support Mr. Klees petition and ensure it will receive the votes necessary to pass the Resolution sometime this Fall. We need as many Ontario voters as possible to sign the attached petition or it will die on the floor of the Legislature. It will be the animals who suffer if that happens. We have been given an opportunity to make a change. Do not let this opportunity pass. Ask your relatives to sign, coworkers, your neighbours. Forward this message to animal groups and individuals, post on your website if you have one and ask as many as possible to participate. While we do not want children signing, you do not need to be voting age for your signature to count. Teens most welcome.

The majority of Liberals do not want to support this and every precaution must be exercised so they cannot ignore the petition due to a technicality. To that end there is a prepared letter of direction which will go to all MPPs asking for them to reflect the wishes of their constituents and to read the petition into the record. 

                             Petition to the Parliament of Ontario

 Whereas the Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (OSPCA) recently and unilaterally announced that it would euthanize all animals in its care at its Newmarket shelter citing a ringworm outbreak as justification;

 Whereas the euthanasia plan was stopped in the face of repeated calls for a stay in the legislature and by the public, but not until 99 animals had been killed;

 Whereas the Premier and Community Safety Minister Rick Bartolucci refused to act claiming the provincial government has no jurisdiction over the OSPCA;

 Therefore, we the undersigned, petition the Parliament of Ontario to immediately implement the Resolution tabled at Queen's Park by Newmarket-Aurora MPP Frank Kleeson June 1, 2010 which reads as follows:

 That, in the opinion of this House, the Ontario Legislature call on the Government of Ontario to review the powers and authority granted to the OSPCA under the OSPCA Act and to make the necessary legislative changes to bring those powers under the authority of the Minister of Community Safety and Correctional Services to ensure that there is a clearly defined and effective provincial oversight of all animal shelter services in the province, and to separate the inspection and enforcement powers of the OSPCA from its functions as a charity providing animal shelter services.