Current legislation does not require the labelling of fur products in Canada. Because of this, raccoon dog (a member of the canine family) can be sold as "raccoon," real fur can be sold as "faux fur," and there is no recourse for consumers defrauded by retailers or suppliers through this. Additionally, it remains legal to import and sell dog and cat fur - something that has been banned in every other democratic western nation.
Prime Minister Trudeau,
Unlike almost every other democratic nation west of Russia, Canada’s labelling laws do not require that species and country of origin of fur on clothing be listed. In fact, fur itself doesn’t need to be listed as one of the materials used in clothing (or toys, trinkets, etc.), so long as it hasn’t been removed from the skin (which it almost never is).
The Harper government ignored the private members’ bills, the petitions, and the media outcry over this ridiculously outdated policy. They even forwarded our requests to the Fur Institute of Canada, who would reply on their behalf.
Now that we have a Prime Minister who is interested in transparency, honesty, and integrity, we hope to see change.
Please take immediate action to update legislation in the Textile Labelling Act to require labelling of any and all fur, indicating as well the species and country of origin.
