Rabbit Advocacy Animal Matters

Animal rights group files complaint against Canada Goose

March 13, 2015 Global News

TORONTO – An animal rights group has lodged a complaint against Canada Goose with the Competition Bureau of Canada. Animal Justice is challenging marketing claims by the clothing company that the coyotes used in its fur trim have been treated “humanely.”

The group alleges some of the methods used to catch coyotes, like leg hold and kill traps, are cruel. “Sometimes it will try to chew off its own leg due to the pain and fear,” said Camille Labchuk, the director of legal advocacy for Animal Justice.

Canada Goose buys its fur from a clearing house and pelts come from across Canada, including jurisdictions where traps can be left for up to five days before being checked. “In that time the animal could suffer from extreme exposure,” said Labchuk.

Canada Goose refused to talk to Global News, sending a statement instead. “Canada Goose is deeply committed to the preservation of our global environment and the humane treatment of animals. We never purchase fur from fur farms, never use fur from endangered animals, and only purchase fur from certified Canadian trappers.”

“The trapping of fur-bearing animals is strictly regulated by the provincial and territorial wildlife departments in Canada. In fact, Canada is the world leader in humane trapping methods, providing the scientific basis for the Agreement on International Humane Trapping Standards (AIHTS), which establishes the required standards for approval and certification of animal trapping devices.” The statement was an exact copy of portions of their website.

Animal Justice claimed standards are so low in Canada that it’s okay for as many 20 per cent of animals caught in either leg hold, or kill traps, to show extreme signs of poor welfare, including broken bones.

However, the Canadian fur industry insisted the traps are humane and that they have strict standards. “These animals have been taken legally, around the rules set by the provinces and territories,” said Pierre Canac-Marquie, a trap research coordinator for the Canadian Trap Research Program. He said in reality, very few animals suffer. They have found traps work properly in about 95 per cent of cases, well above the 80 per cent minimum. As well, most are checked daily.

Consumers are varied in their responses. Some didn’t know what their coat was made of while others didn’t care. “If I knew that, I probably wouldn’t have bought a Canada Goose jacket,” said Michael, who did not want to provide his last name. “Honestly, I don’t care,” said another man wearing one of the coats.

The Competition Bureau has to do an investigation to determine if any of the claims made by Canada Goose are, in fact, misleading.

The growing fur-free movement (UPDATES)

Consumers’ concern for animal welfare is leading fashion brands, cities and countries to move away from animal fur. Macy’s, Bloomingdale’s, Gucci, Prada, Chanel, Coach, Burberry, Versace, Michael Kors, Armani and InStyle magazine are just some of the companies that have announced fur-free policies. In 2019, California became the first state in the nation to ban fur sales and manufacturing. Norway, Belgium, Netherlands, United Kingdom and many other countries have banned fur production, and India banned fur imports in 2017. It’s clear that this unnecessary cruelty has no future in fashion.

June 24, 2021 Finally! Canada Goose Joins Hundreds of Other Brands in Nixing Fur https://www.marketwatch.com/story/canada-goose-is-going-fur-free-and-will-cease-buying-fur-by-end-2021-2021-06-24

Leading Canadian Department Store To Stop Selling Animal Fur And Exotic Skins

June 25, 2021 Plant-Based News

Holt Renfrew, a leading Canadian department store, has revealed plans to stop selling animal fur and exotic skins by the end of this year. It’s part of an ‘ambitious’ sustainability drive, the Selfridges Group luxury retailer confirmed.

As well as ditching fur and exotic skins, Holt Renfrew pledges to stop selling cosmetics products that contain plastic glitter. Moreover, it made a commitment to only sell denim from certified sustainable sources by the end of 2025.