We welcome the release of Canada’s final Strategy to Replace, Reduce or Refine Vertebrate Animal Testing under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act.
This important milestone, announced jointly by Environment and Climate Change Canada and Health Canada, reflects growing recognition of the need to move away from outdated animal-based testing in chemical safety assessments.
We submitted detailed comments on the draft strategy, calling for the prioritization of the full replacement of animal testing and a clearer definition of ’New Approach Methods’ (NAMs) that explicitly excludes methods involving live animal tests, as well as dedicated funding, and measures to bring greater transparency and accountability. It is encouraging to see some of these themes echoed in the government’s What We Heard summary, which highlights widespread stakeholder support for measurable progress and public accountability.
However, the final strategy falls short of making concrete commitments in these areas. It does not define NAMs in a way that excludes tests involving live vertebrate animals, nor does it prioritize the replacement of animal testing over reduction and refinement. While it acknowledges the importance of transparency, and mentions existing tools like the CEPA Annual Report, the strategy stops short of committing to dedicated, public-facing progress reports or defined metrics for tracking implementation across its five key elements.
It also includes no funding commitments to support the development of NAMs, and makes no mention of the recent closure of the Canadian Centre for Alternatives to Animal Methods (CCAAM) – a vital national hub for advancing non-animal methods, which was forced to shut down in 2024 due to lack of federal support.
Laura Alvarez, our Deputy Director of Science and Regulatory Affairs said, “This strategy is a welcome first step, but Canada now needs to follow through with action. Without dedicated funding, a clear focus on full replacement of animal testing, and regular reporting on progress, there’s a real risk this strategy won’t deliver meaningful change. Canada has the potential to lead in humane and scientifically advanced testing, but only if the right infrastructure and ambition are in place.”
We remain committed to supporting Canadian efforts to transition away from animal testing and will continue engaging with policymakers to help ensure this strategy delivers on its promise.
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