As Ontario considers Bill 35, legislation aimed at strengthening protections for captive wildlife, the province is responding to years of concern over how exotic and wild animals are kept, displayed, and regulated. The proposed bill is intended to address gaps in oversight related to private ownership, roadside zoos, and facilities that house captive wildlife, areas that critics say have long been governed by a patchwork of municipal bylaws and limited provincial rules.
Bill 35 proposes a provincial licensing and permitting framework for facilities that keep captive wildlife, along with clearer standards for animal care, training requirements, and compliance. It would expand inspection powers, establish restrictions on certain activities involving wildlife, and introduce penalties for non-compliance. Supporters say the bill is designed to improve animal welfare, enhance public safety, and create more consistent enforcement across Ontario, particularly in cases involving exotic species or high-risk animals.
At the same time, questions remain about how the legislation would be enforced in practice, including who would be responsible for inspections, how standards would be defined, and whether municipalities would continue to shoulder much of the burden. Against that backdrop, a Northumberland resident is urging the province to ensure the law is not only well-intentioned, but enforceable and effective in real-world conditions, particularly in smaller and rural communities where resources can be limited.
Mary Brown, a local resident with more than 25 years of volunteer experience in animal rescue, says municipalities have long been left to manage captive wildlife issues without consistent provincial oversight.
Bill 35, formerly introduced as Bill 236, is intended to address gaps in Ontario’s approach to captive wildlife, including roadside zoos and private possession of exotic animals. The province has said the legislation is designed to improve safety, animal welfare, and accountability.
Brown says she supports regulation but worries the bill could fail if definitions and standards are not clearly spelled out.
She also raised concerns that enforcement often falls to under-resourced municipalities, creating inconsistent rules across regions and allowing operators to move to areas with fewer restrictions.
Beyond exotic species, Brown says native wildlife can also be affected through practices like penned hunting and captive breeding, which she argues deserve closer scrutiny.
For residents wondering how they can help, Brown says public awareness matters.
Animal welfare organizations such as World Animal Protection have also called for stronger, consistent oversight of captive wildlife across Canada.
Bill 35 remains under consideration at Queen’s Park, with supporters and critics alike watching closely to see how the legislation evolves.
(Written by: Joseph Goden)
