Ottawa shelves the Jane Goodall Act, a bill to end the captivity of elephants and great apes

Bill S-15 would have banned new captivity of elephants and great apes, and their import, export and breeding, except for conservation or research. It died when Parliament was prorogued in January 2025.

Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin said provinces and territories are mainly responsible for animal welfare. Her spokesperson said a similar bill would have to be reintroduced and that no decision has been made.

Background

Ottawa passed a law in 2019 to end the captivity of whales and dolphins. Animal Justice says it has seen no progress on elephants and great apes since the election.

Elephants in Canada (estimate)

23 elephants

An estimated 23 elephants live in Canada, three of them at the zoo in Granby, Quebec.