The House of Commons petition e-6841  initiated by Montreal SPCA and sponsored by MP Nate Erskine-Smith closes this Friday morning, January 30th. It calls for Canada to establish a national centre for alternatives. In November, the Liberals committed $1.7 billion in new funding to attract foreign scientists to Canada through the new Canada Impact Research Chairs program, while Canadian scientists who are committed to building animal-free science here are struggling to survive. This program risks having serious long-term consequences for Canadian researchers.

Other countries are moving at extraordinary speed. Just last week, the U.S. EPA reinstated its commitment to phase out chemical testing on animals by 2035. South Korea is investing $25 million to build a national centre for alternatives, expected to be completed this year. The UK has launched an unprecedented national roadmap and committed £75 million to establish a centre for validation, in addition to their annual 11 million pound investment in their national 3Rs centre. The Netherlands’ national centre, backed by well over $200 million, is now fully operational.

The petition has already reached over 22K signatures, and it would be incredibly powerful to surpass 25K before it closes. If you haven’t signed it yet, please do so! and share with your family, friends and social networks. Please watch the video with Dr. Charu Chandrasekeera to learn more:

https://www.facebook.com/reel/1211694551099803