Candlelight Vigil for the Horses Lost to Live Exports

Name: Candlelight Vigil for the Horses Lost to Live Exports
Start: 2025-12-16T18:00:00-05:00
End: 2025-12-16T19:00:00-05:00
Location: Parliament Hill , Ottawa

Schedule

Tue Dec 16 2025 at 06:00 pm to 07:00 pm

UTC-05:00

Location

Parliament Hill , Ottawa | Ottawa, ON

Marking the Anniversary of the 2021 Liberal Mandate Letter Promise to Ban Live Horse Exports for Slaughter
Join Animal Justice, the Canadian Horse Defence Coalition and Humane World for Animals Canada for a peaceful vigil to honour the thousands of Canadian horses who have suffered and died as a result of live horse exports for slaughter overseas.
This event takes place on the anniversary of the Agriculture Minister’s 2021 mandate letter, which included a promise to end the live export of horses for slaughter consistent with the Liberal Party’s promise to Canadians earlier that year. Since the mandate letter, more than 10,700 horses have been shipped on grueling flights to Japan—only to be fattened, slaughtered, and served raw as sashimi. Hundreds of these horses have died or become injured during transport or in the hours and days after landing in Japan, dying from untreated injuries, extreme dehydration and stress, and even painful miscarriages.
As the Liberal Party’s commitment remains unfulfilled, these gentle animals continue to endure immense suffering and their lives must not be forgotten.
This vigil is one of 11 taking place across Canada, as communities from coast to coast come together in unity and compassion to remember the horses and call for action.
What to Expect:
Standing together in solidarity and compassion
Reflections and shared words
A moment of silence to honour the lives lost
The opportunity to bring and lay letters, flowers, or symbolic items at the memorial
This vigil is not only a moment of remembrance—it is a call for urgent action. We are calling on the government to keep the Liberal Party’s promise and immediately ban live horse exports for slaughter through regulation.
Every day of inaction means more horses suffer and die on long, terrifying journeys overseas.
Let’s come together on this solemn anniversary to show our compassion, our grief, and our determination to see justice for these animals. Let’s send a message to our government: Canadians expect the Liberal Party to honour its word and end this cruelty now.
All are welcome. Bring your voice, your heart, and your hope for a future where no horse is forced to endure this suffering again.