The government of Alberta is set to enhance animal welfare by increasing fines and penalties. The proposed Animal Protection Amendment Act, also known as Bill 22, aims to redefine distress and abandonment criteria to empower peace officers to intervene in situations where animals are in harmful conditions. Key indicators of distress include access to proper shelter and sanitation. The amendments will extend inspection authority to encompass boarding and grooming facilities beyond the current scope. If approved, the bill will impose stricter penalties, raising maximum fines from $20,000 to $250,000 and introducing potential jail sentences of up to 12 months for serious offenses.
Furthermore, the legislation will target individuals who have committed animal-related crimes in other provinces and relocated to Alberta without facing legal consequences. Leanna Niblock, the executive director of the Alberta SPCA, highlighted that Alberta will be the first province in Canada to enforce prohibition orders from other jurisdictions, enabling peace officers to take action against repeat offenders regardless of their location within the country.
Niblock emphasized that the proposed increase in fines and the introduction of jail time for offenders will enhance accountability, act as a deterrent, and demonstrate the significance of animal welfare under the law. Recent incidents of animal distress, such as the case involving two women charged in November 2025 following an investigation into animal cruelty in northwestern Alberta, underscore the importance of such legislative measures. Over 300 animals were surrendered from In The Woods animal rescue facilities in Marie Reine, Alta., and the Municipal District of Smoky River.
The Alberta government’s initiative to amend the Animal Protection Act reflects a significant step towards safeguarding animal well-being and ensuring stricter consequences for those who violate animal welfare laws.