Humane Canada's Learning and Resource Centre

As CEO of Humane Canada, the federation of humane societies and SPCAs, Barbara Cartwright works with Canada’s animal welfare community to advance stronger protections for animals, support humane societies and SPCAs, and promote the humane treatment of all animals. Barbara brings extensive experience in policy, public affairs, and coalition-building. Her work has contributed to federal legislative and policy reforms affecting animal protection, including amendments to the Criminal Code, the Fisheries Act, the Migratory Birds Convention Act, and the Canadian Environmental Protection Act. These efforts have helped strengthen protections for police, military and service animals; prohibit whale and dolphin captivity; strengthen animal fighting offences; close gaps in bestiality provisions; and advance federal action to end cosmetic testing and toxicity testing on animals. A significant focus of Barbara’s policy work has been advancing recognition of the Violence Link—the connection between violence against animals and violence against people—and embedding that understanding into Canada’s legal and social safety systems. Through Humane Canada’s leadership of the Canadian Violence Link Coalition and the National Centre for the Prosecution of Animal Cruelty, she has supported cross-sector collaboration among animal welfare organizations, anti-violence services, prosecutors, law enforcement, policymakers, and community partners. This work has helped inform policy discussions on gender-based violence, coercive control, child protection, online harms, survivor safety planning, and pet safekeeping, with the goal of ensuring that animals are recognized as part of the family unit and that survivors are not forced to choose between their safety and the safety of their animals. Barbara holds a Master’s in Environmental Education and Communication and received the Governor General’s Gold Medal and the King Charles III Coronation Medal in recognition of her contributions to public service and animal welfare. Barbara is sought after for her knowledge of policy and public affairs and for securing amendments to the Criminal Code, Fisheries Act, Migratory Bird Act, and Canadian Environmental Protection Act. In 2019, she secured a ban on cetacean captivity, as well as strengthened animal fighting offences, closed loopholes in bestiality offences and ensured abusers convicted of animal sexual assault are listed on the Sex Offender Registry. Barbara has advised some of the world's top organizations on animal welfare policy, including working with the online giant eBay Inc. to end the illegal ivory trade on its sites worldwide. In her current role, Barbara launched Humane Canada's Summit for Animals, the National Centre for the Prosecution of Animal Cruelty, and the National Violence Link Coalition. She spearheaded Canada's first animal shelter Accreditation program. Barbara holds a Master’s in Environmental Education and Communication, is a published author and lecturer and received the Governor General’s Gold Medal and the Coronation Medal in the Senate of Canada. Formerly the President of the Jane Goodall Institute of Canada, she currently serves on the Board of PetSmart Charities of Canada and the Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education Center in Congo. Barbara has been recognized as one of 5 “WOW Women” in Canada and is a member of the Women’s Executive Network, the International Women’s Forum, and the Council of Women Executives.