Pets Canada’s 3rd Annual Parliament Hill Advocacy Day: A Productive Success!

Back L-R: Martin Lebel (Hagen Group), Emily Corey (Corey Nutrition), Christine Carrière (Pets Canada), Craig Brummell (Essex Topcrop), Rémi Klander (Pets Canada), Amy Pawson-Blackwell (Petland Canada), Zara Willmott (Cat Sitter Toronto Inc.), Susan Dankert (Pets Canada)

Front L-R: Alain Taillefer (Hagen Group), Steve Schlichtmann (Burgham Sales), Patience Manon (Pets Canada), Karima Jivraj (Bosley’s by Pet Valu – Columbia Square Plaza), Cyril Lemyre (Hurraw), Tonya Martin (Pets Canada), Sara Côté (La Grande Menagerie)

Driving Real Conversations for Real Change

Key issues on the table included:

• Removing GST from pet food to reflect the essential role pets play in Canadian homes
• Including pets in national emergency and evacuation plans, particularly during wildfires and other crises
• Strengthening trade and market access so Canadian pet businesses can remain competitive despite global ingredient and supply challenges
• Across all meetings, MPs shared genuine concern about the barriers facing Canadian businesses and the growing trend of companies leaving the country. These discussions reinforced that Pets Canada’s advocacy is timely, practical, and essential.

United for a Stronger Industry

Gratitude to Our Champions

Special appreciation goes to MP James Maloney for sponsoring this year’s event as well as Impact Public Affairs. Their leadership and ongoing partnership made Advocacy Day a resounding success.

Last but certainly not least, we want to spotlight our members who were the heroes of the day – Amy Pawson Blackwell (Petland Canada), Craig Brummell (Essex Topcrop), Steve Schlichtmann (Burgham Sales), Sara Côté (La Grande Menagerie), Zara Willmott (Cat Sitter Toronto Inc.), Karima Jivraj   (Bosley’s by Pet Valu – Columbia Square Plaza), Robert Church (The Top Dog Store), Cyril Lemyre (Hurraw), Martin Lebel (Hagen Group), Alain Taillefer (Hagen Group), Emily   Corey  (Corey Nutrition), Jacqueline Martin (MarCam Pet Nutrition), Daniel Villeneuve (Pitou minou & compagnons/ Global Pet Foods) From across the country, they travelled to Ottawa to speak on behalf of the pet industry and our collective mission to protect what we’ve built and who we serve.

Looking Ahead

This year’s Advocacy Day was not only productive but a reminder of what happens when passion meets purpose. The work continues, and Pets Canada is proud to lead the way.