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RDCK Observer, May 15, 2025
Transcript:
Chair, Aidan McLaren-Caux: There’s nothing that we can do beyond advocacy. Because it’s not, I don’t want to be the person to say it’s not our problem, but it’s outside of our power. I know that might not be the answer you want to hear. Personally, I wish there was something I could do, but we are stuck with what we have, and we have to work within the bounds of our, we are a legislative body, so we have to respect the law. We are a country of laws, it went through all the courts.
Katie Pasitney: I do have a question (Katie, owner of the farm). We just made it here just in time. I woke up and I had meetings all morning. We just said, we’re going, because I knew I needed to stand in front of all of you, from our farm, today. I do have a question, Chair. Will you publicly retract the false claim that UOF (Universal Ostrich Farms) lost two court cases and correct the record at this board? Because the record matters, and moving forward with disposal based on misinformation, without a legal mandate, is not just reckless—it makes this board liable for voluntary participation.
I urge you all to take a step back, verify the facts, and act in truth.
Sorry, it’s been a journey. I’m here today to correct a serious falsehood that was entered into the public record of this board. It was stated that Universal Ostrich Farm has lost two court cases. That is not true. Let me absolutely be clear: Universal Ostrich Farm has not lost any legal case. What we did do was file for and win a judicial review granted by Justice Batista. That review was heard on April 15th and 16th in Vancouver, and the decision was released this week by Federal Court by Justice Zinn.
But here’s the part that matters to you: In paragraphs 7 and 8 of that ruling, Justice Zinn states that the court can only rule on decisions made by the CFIA before January 10th, 2025. The court was legally barred from considering any evidence after that date. That means the current health of our animals, the current health of our 400 healthy animals, any new test results, any recovery or scientific data—none of it could be considered. This ruling does not validate CFIA’s current actions; only that what they did at that time was, in the court’s view, reasonable based on what they knew then.
With respect, I ask you to please consider the now. Because we are in a fight for these animals that hold way more value alive than they do dead, by accepting their dead carcasses into this landfill. You can set a precedent because we have a recovered flock. We can set a precedent with all of your power in all of your seats, and everything that we stand for here today and all the voices from across our country, and the global attention that this issue is getting, we can set a precedent.
Our animals are healthy, they’re laying eggs, they’re beautiful, and we are being restricted the chance from retesting our animals to prove to you as the public, that they are recovered. We are being threatened six months in jail and a $250,000 fine to bring you that evidence.
So where do we stop this? We stop it at Universal Ostrich Farm.
Chair, Aidan McLaren-Caux: I believe I we have a director who has a motion. Directors, please check your email, so you have a copy of it, it should have been sent out a few minutes ago. Director Lunn, would you like to make your motion?
Director Jessica Lunn: Sure, I would like to move that the RDCK board direct staff to withhold acceptance at any landfill ostrich carcasses originating from a farm in Edgewood, BC, planned to be culled and delivered by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, as a result of being exposed to highly pathogenic avian influenza, until the number of birds confirmed infected with HPAI and the number classified as exposed—based on testing performed after May 15, 2025—is confirmed by the CFIA and/or the Ministry of Agriculture and Food. Further, the RDCK requests that the CFIA provide this information directly to the public in a timely and transparent manner to support public understanding and trust.
Director Diana Lockwood: I’ll second that.
Director Andy Davidoff: I’ll second that.
Chair, Aidan McLaren-Caux: The motion has been duly moved and seconded. Do we have any discussion? Anything online? Alright, all those in favour? Oh, everybody. Motion carried. Thank you.
Katie Pasitney: Thank you. Thank you.
