Canada Becomes One Step Closer To Banning Animal Testing For Cosmetics

Canada is positioned to become the world’s 40^th country to prohibit cosmetic testing involving animals following the introduction of the Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Act (Bill S-214) into the House of Commons.

The bill was passed by the Senate and has been introduced by Conservative Shadow Minister for Health, Marilyn Gladu.

“Protecting animals has always been a cause that I care deeply about and I am pleased to sponsor this bill so MPs can debate this important issue,” Gladu said in a statement.

The bill is a product of years of advocacy led by Humane Society International, Animal Alliance of Canada and Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics, with backing from more than 750,000 Canadians from coast to coast.

The Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Act was first introduced in June 2015 by Conservative Senator Carolyn Stewart Olsen in close cooperation with HSI Canada and Animal Alliance.

“As a proud Canadian I could not be more pleased to see my country move a step closer to becoming a cruelty-free beauty market,” said Troy Seidle, HSI Vice President of Research and Toxicology. “In 2019, with the vast array of established cosmetic ingredients and animal-free approaches to safety assessment, there’s simply no excuse for continued reliance on animal testing for cosmetic products or ingredients.”

HSI has also been at the forefront of the global public policy shift toward cruelty-free cosmetics, spearheading legal reforms in the European Union, India, New Zealand, Taiwan, South Korea, Guatemala, and most recently Australia, with similar legislation in development in the United States, Brazil, Chile, South Africa, Sri Lanka and elsewhere.

“The time has come to get cruelty out of cosmetics and listen to the 88 percent of Canadians who oppose animal testing for cosmetics,” stated Mark and Karen Wolverton, co-owners of Lush Fresh Handmade Cosmetics, North America. “We know that our millions of customers who support Bill S-214 will take this issue with them to the polls this fall and will elect leaders who legislate on their behalf. We believe that animal testing for cosmetics is not acceptable or relevant and perpetuates the suffering of animals.”

Polling by The Strategic Counsel on behalf of Animal Alliance of Canada and HSI found that 88% of Canadians agree that testing new cosmetics is not worth the animals’ pain and suffering, and 81% would support a national ban on animal testing of cosmetics and their ingredients.

Please contact your representatives and request that they support this important bill. A current list of Canada MPs can be found HERE!