- This post may contain affiliate links which - at no cost to you - may generate a small fee for us. It helps us research and review products more effectively
- Animal testing on cosmetics is still not illegal in Canada
- A Cruelty-Free Cosmetics Act – S-214 – that was introduced in 2015 didn’t make it to order
- 88% of Canadians agree that testing new cosmetics (or their ingredients) on animals is not worth their suffering
Is Animal Testing Illegal in Canada
Animal testing is not illegal in Canada. It is still legal to use live animals to test cosmetics, drugs or household products.
So whilst animal testing for cosmetics is not a requirement, it is not yet banned by Canadian law. Whilst countries like the USA are working on phasing out animal testing, Canada has no such plan in place.
Top 11 Facts & Statistics about Animal Testing in Canada
1. Animal testing is legal in Canada – even on cosmetics
2. 88% of Canadians support a law prohibiting animal testing
Source: Cruelty Free International Survey
3. 82% also felt Canada should be a global leader in banning cosmetic animal testing worldwide
4. Canada is in the top 10 countries worldwide for animal testing – possibly the fifth highest tester
5. 2019 saw the highest number of animals ever used for testing purposes in Canadian science – a 19% increase from 2018
Source: For Humane Science
6. There were 4,562,522 tests on animals performed in 2019
Source: CCAC Facts & Figures
7. Around 5% of all these tests were for regulatory testing of products for the protection of humans, animals or the environment
8. Animals used for regulatory testing decreased by 12% from 2018 – 2019
9. Animals used in product development increased by nearly 57% in the same time frame
Source: CCAC Facts & Figures
10. There was a 40% increase in animals used for regulatory testing studies that were assigned to category E – the most severe form of pain
11. Nearly 80% of Canadians said it was acceptable to use animals during regulatory testing to ensure the safety and effectiveness of medicines
Source: CCAC Report
Cost of Animal Testing in Canada
There is no exact figure given, but based on:
- 4,562,522 tests on animals performed in 2019
- A draize eye irritation test costing $1,800
Canada could spend more than $8,000,000,000 each year on animal testing.
Canadian Animal Testing Laws
Canada has no law that outright bans animal testing, or even cosmetic animal testing.
It does have some laws regulating the safety and efficacy of products and the conditions in which these animals are kept. Unfortunately these laws are only designed to protect animals from the most appalling acts for cruelty. There’s very little middle-ground.
The Food & Drugs Act
The Canadian Food & Drugs Act is designed to regulate production, safety and efficacy of all food, drugs, contraception and cosmetics.
It was first passed in 1920 and revised most recently in 1985, ensuring each product is:
- Safe
- With disclosed ingredients
- And that the drugs are effective
Bill S-214
The Federal Bill S-214 was supposed to be an amendment to The Food & Drugs Act designed to ban animal testing in Canada AND ban the sale of cosmetics tested on animals anywhere.
Even if an ingredient present in the product was tested on animals or if the product’s safety had been proven using evidence derived from animal testing, it wouldn’t be allowed to market.
Unfortunately this amendment to The Food & Drugs Act wasn’t passed and only one reading was complete in the House of Commons.
Bill C-246
Bill C-246 – otherwise known as the Modernizing Animal Protections Act – was also dismissed at a second reading in 2016.
Did you know? Canadian President Justin Trudeau was 1 of 117 liberals MPs who voted against C-246. A follow-up bill designed to modernise animal welfare in a testing environment.
It was designed to consolidate and modernise various offences against animals and whilst it isn’t strictly animal testing-focused, it was another step backwards for animal welfare in Canada.
The Canadian Council of Animal Care
Created in 1968 to oversee and maintain high standards for animal welfare and ethical treatment, The Canadian Council for Animal Care created guidelines for the care and use of experimental animals.
The council focuses on utilising The Three R’s – Replacement, Reduction & Refinement – in providing as humane treatment for animals as possible.
Canada unfortunately does allow animal testing. Even on cosmetics. There is no law in place that bans it, although it is not a legal requirement.
Animal testing is not banned in Canada. On cosmetics or otherwise.
Animal testing was not banned in Canada. A 2015 bill called S-214 was pulled at the last minute, which would’ve banned cosmetic animal testing.
In 2019 almost 4,600,000 animals were tested on in Canada. Whilst there’s no exact figure for how many animals died, c. 100,000 were subjected to the worst level of pain.
