• Federally: According to Canada’s Criminal Code, anyone who willfully causes or permits suffering from neglect, pain, or injury to occur to an animal can be imprisoned or fined. This is enforced by “police services, provincial and territorial societies for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, and/or provincial and territorial ministries of agriculture.” • Provincially: Each province and territory has their own Acts and Regulations. For example, in Alberta police services are used to enforce the Animal Protection Act and the Animal Protection Regulation • Laying hen specific but not legally binding: Egg Farmers of Canada uses the Animal Care Program to set and maintain industry standards for laying hen welfare. The participation in the program became mandatory for all farmers in 2023, and while the requirements are not legally binding, there are enforcement mechanisms built into the program. EFC enforces compliance to the ACP program manual through the administration of inspections, annual audits, fines, and/or revoking farm licenses if the standards are not met. Farms that are found 100% compliant with the ACP program and the “Start-Clean, Stay-Clean” program (guides food safety) can obtain the Egg Quality Assurance program certificate on their cartons.