Revive the Jane Goodall Act and end elephant captivity in Canada

Just over a year ago, the Senate passed Bill S-15, which proposed the world’s first legislated phase out of elephant captivity, but it died on the Order Paper. The bill also contained measures to keep great apes like chimpanzees out of roadside zoos and the pet trade.

As with whale captivity, the time has come to end elephant captivity in Canada. The remaining elephants should eventually be relocated, where possible, to sanctuaries in warmer climates, writes Rick Quinn.Unsplash photograph by Rachel Schauerman

Opinion

BY RICK QUINN

March 9, 2026

The late Jane Goodall called on us to keep hope alive for the natural world. We must find ways to do this even amidst geopolitical and economic upheaval. From my perspective as a veterinarian and Dr. Goodall’s former adviser, Canada should build on our recent wins for capt...

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