What is BSL?

On October 15, 2004, Michael Bryant, Attorney General of Ontario, announced Breed Specific Legislation (“BSL”) was coming to the Province of Ontario. Read press conference here.

However, despite being rejected by every credible canine organization worldwide and the 43 out of the 44 experts who testified against the breed ban during Bill 132 hearings, Ontario’s Breed Specific Legislation (Bill 132) was unanimously voted in by the majority Liberal party on August 29, 2005. Ontario could now shamefully declare itself the largest geographical area in the world to enact such discriminating and brutal legislation. Dogs falling under the legislation born prior to November 27, 2005 were allowed to live under strict restrictions placed upon them AND their owners. Dogs born after November 27, 2005, are considered illegal and subject to seizure, death or provincial displacement.

In 2004, a group of 5 Canadian dog organizations came together to form the Banned Aid Coalition. Foreseeing what was to come, the coalition retained lawyer Clayton Ruby to launch a court challenge to defeat Bill 132. The case, Cochrane v. Ontario (Attorney General), 2007 Can LII 9231 (ON SC), was heard on May 15, 16 & 18, 2006.

Judgment was rendered on March 23, 2007. Madam Justice Herman ruled that the term “pit bull terrier” was unconstitutionally vague. The judge also ruled the process by which the government could introduce certification from a veterinarian as proof that a dog falls into one of the banned categories was also found to be unconstitutional as it infringes on the right to a fair trial and put individuals at risk of arbitrary application of the law.

In 2008, both parties appealed different aspects of the decision to the Court of Appeal for Ontario. See Cochrane v. Ontario (Attorney General), 2008 ONCA 718 (CanLII). The Court of Appeal reversed the lower court ruling as follows:

1. It agreed with the lower court judge in finding that the “overbreadth” claim failed because the legislature had acted on a reasonable apprehension of harm;
2. It disagreed that the definition of pit bull in the Act was insufficiently precise and restored the original wording of “pit bull terrier” on the basis that, when read in the context of “a more comprehensive definition,” the phrasing “a pit bull terrier” was sufficiently precise;
3. It reversed the trial court and found that the government’s ability to introduce a veterinarian’s certificate certifying a dog was a pit bull would constitute proof only if the defendant failed to answer the claim: it was therefore a tactical burden, rather an evidentiary burden.

A further appeal on June 11, 2009 to the Supreme Court of Canada was refused, thus upholding Ontario’s breed ban.

On November 18, 2009, MPP Cheri DiNovo introduced Bill 222, a private members bill to repeal Ontario’s breed ban. The bill passed first reading but died soon after when Premier Dalton McGuinty prorogued parliament on March 4, 2010.

On May 10, 2010, MPP Cheri DiNovo introduced Hershey’s Bill 60, a private members bill, once again in an attempt to repeal the breed specific portion of the Dog Owners’ Liability Act. This bill also passed first reading. However, Premier Dalton McGuinty once again prorogued parliament, calling an election for October 6, 2011. The Liberals were again re-elected but now formed a minority government.

On November 30, 2011, Hershey’s Bill 16, a Tri-Party private members bill was introduced. This bill was brought forward and supported by members of all three parties. Cheri DiNovo from the NDP party, Kim Craitor from the Liberal party and Randy Hillier of the Progressive Conservative party. During committee meetings all presentations were in favour of removing the breed ban. Bill 16 passed second reading handsomely on February 23, 2012 with 51 ayes against 25 nays. 30 MPP’s were absent in the vote and included 24 Liberals, 5 PC’s and 1 NDP. However, once again parliament was prorogued, McGuinty resigned and Bill 16 died on the Order Table. Listen to the Bill 16 committee meetings Part 1 and Part 2.

January 26, 2013, Kathleen Wynne became Premier of Ontario.

On October 1, 2013, MPP Randy Hillier introduced Hershey’s Bill 112. This bill passed first reading. Read Mr. Hillier’s letter to the Attorney General asking why the government has made no effort to call this bill for debate.

On May 2, 2014, parliament was dissolved and an election date of June 12, 2014 announced. Bill 112 would not move forward for debate.

On June 12, 2014, a majority Liberal government was elected.

On October 6, 2016, MPP Cheri DiNovo introduced another Hershey’s bill. Bill 40 was again a private members bill aimed at removing the breed-specific portions of Ontario’s Dog Owners’ Liability Act. Bill 40 passed first reading in the Ontario Legislature. On May 8, 2018, an election was called, and Bill 40 did not proceed further.

On June 7th, 2018 the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario was voted into power for the first time since 2003. The Liberal party had not only lost the election but official party status with only 7 seats. It was the worst defeat of a governing party in Ontario history.

On November 18, 2019, MPP Rick Nicholls, working with MPP David Piccini, introduced Hershey's Bill 147, another private members bill removing the breed-specific portions of the Dog Owners’ Liability Act, and the Animals in Research Act. Bill 147 passed first reading.

On November 21, 2019, after debate in the Legislature, Hershey’s Bill 147 passed second reading with a vote of 36-12 and was referred to the standing committee for general government.  Hershey's Bill 147 died on the table when the government was prorogued due to complications from Covid-19 pandemic in 2021. However Premier Ford never sent Bill 147 to committee meetings. Neither did Ford send Bill 147 to third and final reading between 2019 and 2021 after promising Ontario dog owners he would act to end the ban.