TORONTO, Nov. 27, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Animal Alliance of Canada (AAC) commends Premier Doug Ford and the Government of Ontario for taking concrete steps to end the use of dogs and cats in invasive medical research through implementation Bill 75 and the release of a new regulatory proposal (Offer 52653) make changes to Research Animals Act (ARA) and regulations.
While these developments mark historic progress, Animal Alliance emphasizes that the ban is not currently in place and both initiatives must go through formal legislative and regulatory processes before any changes in animal use become law.
“In August, Premier Ford committed to addressing the use of dogs and cats in research, and today we recognize significant progress in delivering on that promise,” said Bianca Del Bois, director of development and communications for Animal Alliance of Canada.
“However, it is critical that the public and stakeholders understand that this is just the beginning of the process. House Bill 75 must go through committee hearings and further votes, and the regulatory proposal requires public consultation and review.”
What Bill 75 Does—and Doesn't Do Yet
Regarding animal testing, Bill 75 proposes to ban invasive medical research on dogs and cats, strengthening Research Animals Act by including animal welfare improvements or restrictions on research use.
If implemented, the bill and proposal together will:
- Ban invasive research on dogs and cats, but allow exceptions
- Update on how internal committees approve and monitor research
- Ban the breeding of dogs/cats for research in Ontario
- Allow adoption of animals after research use
- Updating euthanasia methods to 2025 standards
- Establish new fines and record keeping rules
This represents an unprecedented shift in provincial legislation. However:
- The bill must undergo a second reading, a committee study and a third reading before it becomes law.
- The current wording leaves several long-standing loopholes unaddressed, including categories that Animal Alliance reported to the government through detailed submissions.
- Additional rules would be required to enforce any ban, and those rules have not yet been finalized.
“The government's explanatory note to Bill 75 states that invasive research on cats and dogs can be carried out in specific situations set out in the regulations. However, nothing in the bill limits what these future exceptions to the regulations might be,” says Vaughan Black, retired professor of animal law at Dalhousie University and a member of the Animal Alliance Advisory Group.
“Future cabinets will have the power to establish an unlimited range of situations in which invasive research on cats and dogs will be permitted. Thus, the proposed legislative ban on invasive research on pets could effectively be repealed without recourse to legislation. This could make the proposed legislative ban on harmful research on cats and dogs illusory.” Black added.
Animal Alliance Expert Advisory Group Supporting Transition
To support this shift, the AAC convened a Humanities Advisory Group consisting of scientists, physicians, veterinarians, scientists and researchers. Members are ready and willing to share their experiences with government as the legislative process evolves.
“The advisory group ensures that Ontario legislators are equipped with the best scientific, ethical and practical advice,” Del Bois said. “This moment represents a long-overdue transformation in how animals are treated in research, and it needs to be done right.”
Next steps and call to action
Animal Alliance encourages Ontarians to participate in the regulatory consultation process and continue to participate in the Bill 75 process in the Legislature.
“This is an important milestone, but there is significant work to be done,” Del Bois said. “We are committed to ensuring that any final legislation truly ends the use of dogs and cats in harmful research and that Ontario adopts science-based, humane alternatives.”
Media contact:
White wood
Director of Development and Communications
Animal Alliance of Canada
Office: 416-462-9541 ext. 28
E-mail: [email protected]
