The Alberta government is set to enhance animal welfare by increasing fines and penalties through the Animal Protection Amendment Act, also known as Bill 22. The new legislation, championed by RJ Sigurdson, Alberta’s minister of agriculture and irrigation, aims to provide clearer definitions of distress and abandonment, empowering peace officers to intervene in cases of animal harm.
Key indicators of animal distress, such as access to adequate shelter and sanitation, will be outlined more comprehensively. The amendments will also broaden the scope of locations subject to inspection to include boarding and grooming facilities.
If approved, the bill proposes stricter penalties for offenders, raising maximum fines from $20,000 to $250,000 and introducing potential jail sentences of up to 12 months for serious offenses. Additionally, the legislation will target individuals who have harmed animals in other provinces and relocated to Alberta to evade consequences, making Alberta the first province in Canada with the ability to enforce prohibition orders from other jurisdictions.
Leanna Niblock, the executive director of the Alberta SPCA, emphasized that the proposed measures will enhance accountability and deterrence, underscoring the significance of upholding animal welfare laws. Notable recent cases of animal distress involved two women facing charges in November 2025 following an investigation into allegations of animal cruelty in northwestern Alberta. Over 300 animals were rescued from In The Woods animal rescue locations in Marie Reine, Alta., and the Municipal District of Smoky River.
The updated legislation signifies a significant step towards ensuring the well-being of animals in Alberta, with a focus on stricter enforcement and penalties for offenders.