In the midst of the Supreme Court of Canada’s deliberations on whether to review the case of a farm in British Columbia fighting against a Canadian Food Inspection Agency cull of its ostriches, politicians in Ottawa are treading cautiously in their responses. Pierre Poilievre, the outspoken Conservative leader, has refrained from directly supporting the protesters at Universal Ostrich Farms who are rallying against the planned cull. Instead, he criticized the Liberal government for mismanaging the situation and causing confusion among Canadians and farmers due to the perceived incompetence of the CFIA.
Health Minister Marjorie Michel, responsible for overseeing the CFIA, expressed concern over the farm’s predicament but declined to comment further, citing the ongoing court proceedings. Katie Pasitney, the farm’s spokesperson, criticized the silence of politicians, urging leaders like Poilievre to address pressing issues affecting everyday Canadians.
The situation at the farm has drawn parallels to the COVID-19 mandate protests that spurred the “Freedom Convoy” demonstrations in 2022, with prominent organizer Tamara Lich visiting the farm multiple times. While the farm has garnered some local support, particularly from Conservative MP Scott Anderson and the provincial MLA, it feels neglected by Ottawa, especially Poilievre.
Political science professor Lori Turnbull noted that Poilievre’s cautious stance reflects a potential division within the Conservative support base. Poilievre’s focus on key issues like affordability and crime align with the party’s messaging, aiming to avoid controversy within the party ranks.
Green Party leader Elizabeth May advocated for re-testing the ostriches, responding to constituents’ concerns about the cull. Despite sympathizing with the farm’s plight, she emphasized the importance of fact-based decisions and criticized the CFIA for not re-testing the birds. The CFIA’s stance on eradicating the entire flock upon detecting avian flu to prevent further spread and comply with trade agreements has remained steadfast.
The legal battles and delays have prolonged the farm’s resistance to the cull, with the CFIA assuming control pending a potential Supreme Court review. The farm’s plight has attracted attention from notable figures like Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., and John Catsimatidis, amplifying the urgency of the situation.