Mr. Garfield Dunlop (Simcoe North): I would like to draw attention to the state of animal welfare in this province. The Ontario Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals is in a financial crisis, and the government should be ashamed of its slow pace of involvement to assist and maintain this valuable service.

During pre-budget consultations, we heard that the number of animals rescued by the OSPCA has more than doubled, the number of animal cruelty charges laid has increased sevenfold, the number of search warrants executed has more than quadrupled and the number of orders issued has almost tripled; all of this, and the OSPCA receives no funding to fulfill its mandate.

The OSPCA relies on its fundraising efforts to stay afloat, but these funds are not able to keep pace with demand. Shelters in Kingston and Dryden are slated for closure, and other shelters across the province are facing significant capital and internal pressures. We are headed for a crisis, and this government chose not to give financial support to the OSPCA in its recently announced budget.

We call on the government to implement the recommendations of the independent review by Grant Thornton. Conduct a legislative and governance review and provide stable, long-term funding to the OSPCA so they can continue to provide animal protection services which are critical to the safety of animals in our communities.

This government had no trouble finding the money to produce photo opportunities when promoting their pathetic pit bull legislation. It's time they came forward to properly fund the OSPCA and its affiliates.

CONSERVATION PARK