Canada Goose and the Normalisation of Fur

November 20th, 2012

Timely post on Canada Goose and the Fur industry by the Vegan Cupcake Fairy below. As we post this The Fur Bearer Defenders, who just opened up an office in Toronto and have been doing weekly vigils, rolled out the Subway ad above on Toronto Subways and this Friday we lead into Fur Free Friday with demonstrations worldwide and many locally.

#FURFREEONT – Fur Free Friday Events in Ontario – Fur Free Friday in Ottawa / Kingston – Fur Free Friday Demonstration / Buffalo – Fur FREE Friday protest @ Furs by Russell”s / Niagara - Fur Free Friday Demo – Outdoors Oriented / Kitchener-Waterloo – Fur-Free Friday Protest at Springbrook Fur Farm / Fur Free Friday: Oshawa Centre Demonstration / Oshawa – Fur Free Friday: Simcoe Furriers / FUR FREE FRIDAY in TORONTO! – F* the Fur District!

Canada Goose is a big problem here in Toronto, in terms of promoting fur as an acceptable commodity, although they are responsible for only a fraction of the number of animals killed annually in Canada. All of their winter coats come with a coyote-fur-trimmed hood, and the coats are extremely popular. Everywhere you look you see people wearing them and as fur is normalised here, in much the same way leather and wool is worldwide, a lot of people have never stopped to think about how bloody and cruel the industry is. I don’t approve of any exploitation, of course, but the fur industry really sickens me. In Canada over 100,000 coyotes are trapped in cruel snare, leg-hold and Conibear traps, only to be killed (sometimes being clubbed to death) when the trappers return to collect the animals.

As important as it is to educate individuals on the fur industry, it is also important to communicate with the companies themselves to let them know that we will boycott and, in turn, encourage every single other person we meet to boycott their company until they agree to stop selling fur. This will come as no surprise to Canada Goose as the company itself acknowledges people disapprove of what they are selling, going so far as to state within their ‘fur policy’ that they “recognize there are some who oppose the use of animal fur under any circumstances.”

Yes, there are, and it isn’t hard to see why: the fur-bearing animals CAN NOT live without their fur but we, as human beings, can. It is immoral and unethical to kill another being simply to wear coats, gloves, hats, and boots made exclusively using, or trimmed with, fur. I don’t know if it’s innocent ignorance or sheer stupidity* but the company also stated within their policy:

“Canada Goose is deeply committed to the preservation of our global environment and the humane treatment of animals. As an authentically Canadian company, the environment and ethical treatment of animals are central to our values.”

[*I know that it is neither.]

I dislike both sentences but I think it is the word ‘humane’ we need to focus on. There are many dictionary definitions, although they all state something of a similar nature: that to be humane is to show compassion, mercy, sympathy and tenderness towards humans and (non-human) animals. So when companies such as Canada Goose say that they are “deeply committed to the humane treatment of animals” they are lying. It is NOT humane to trap wild coyotes. It is NOT humane to cause them so much confusion, distress and pain that they break teeth and bones trying to escape. It is NOT humane that they are electrocuted, gassed, injected with a lethal poison or have their necks broken. It is NOT humane that they are skinned, sometimes whilst still alive, to produce a material out of which to make clothing.

In fact, the UK government banned fur farming through the Fur Farming (Prohibition) Act of 2000 on moral grounds, for those reasons; acknowledging that there is no humane way to produce fur. Since then Austria and Croatia have followed suit. So, for Canada Goose to say that the ethical treatment of animals is central to their values is laughable. Actual countries have stood up to the industry to disprove this; and grassroots activists continue to do so.

I am not a single issue activist and I don’t believe that centering any campaign around one company is the best way to push for change (nor do I believe it’s the best use of energy, resources or time) but I do believe in incremental success. I believe in the butterfly effect; I believe that one person can make a difference; and on a larger scale, one company can encourage shifts within industries. Last year, for example, Chanel and Prada agreed to stop using real fur – two companies in the ‘luxury’ market that had always believed fur was the ultimate luxurious material for a garment. Other companies will undoubtedly take note of this. If Canada Goose were to withdraw from the fur industry it would be a monumental achievement here.

As I mentioned at the beginning of this post, along with naming and shaming, it is important to communicate with the companies in question to let them know we will boycott them until they agree to stop selling fur. In this instance, consumer power can be used to the advantage of the movement. But not only should people stop shopping in any store that sells fur, they should also tell the manager and supplier why. For those interested, I would encourage you to contact those companies who are complicit in the fur trade to let them know what you think of their involvement in one of the cruelest and exploitative industries. In addition to Canada Goose, other companies to avoid include: Arctic North; Bang; Blink; G4; Simonton; Jessica; Kaporal; Look 21; Mackage; Marc New York; Mallia; Michael Kors; Moncler; Moose Knuckles; Nuage; Nobis; Numero; Outdoor Survival Canada; Pajar; PJs (Parajumpers); Point Zero and YDE. – Vegan Cupcake Fairy

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4 Responses to “Canada Goose and the Normalisation of Fur”

  1. gj says:
    November 23, 2012 at 2:06 am

    Great campaign. I, on the spur of thoughtless consumer ‘botism, bought one of Canada Goose jackets and later made the link that there was the pelt of a dead animal on the hood trim. Can’t wear it now without feeling gross, but it would be great if there was a way the thousands of people who bought these could redeem themselves and show support for animal rights by like swapping off the fur or something like that… not that there arn’t issues with down either…

  2. guiltyveg says:
    February 14, 2013 at 8:54 pm

    Thanks for this article. I remember picketing Creeds, the Bay and Holt Renfrew many years ago when only old ladies and the wealthy were likely to drape their backs with dead animals. Now strips of coyote fur are everywhere, at eye level, and no one seems to care. People buying these coats don’t seem to give it a second thought, which makes me very sad. We are supposed to be moving forward, but I ashamed to say we’ve taken several steps backward.

  3. john Eric says:
    February 27, 2013 at 6:16 pm

    What aload of BS, I dont see any Canada Goose Brands on them Traps, Have you ever nearly died because of the cold (NO), Have you ever had frostbite (NO), Man has worn animal skins for over 10,000 years and eaten meat, After doing over four years of research I have found that there is NO substitute for natual products and it is a proven fact,
    KIlling animals for their meat and fur is fine how its done is another matter,head shooting these animals is fine because they never know it coming, FACT you never hear the shot that kills you, because bullets travel at over 3 x the speed of sound, I HAVE BOUGHT ONE OF THEIR PARKAS ONLY after reading all this nonsence written by people like you and PETA, Why because I have seen people like you protesting for over 30 years,
    and then theres those who do animal testing and although I dont like the thought of it, IT has to be done,WHY well if you plantet hugging fools want to donate your children or your selves for the tests then I say highly recommend the stopping of animal testing, but your not prepared to do that or have’nt got the guts, So in the meantime keep quiet and go back to boiling your lentals and rice

  4. john Eric says:
    February 27, 2013 at 7:56 pm

    I am a person who believes that there are times when man has to be pulled in to line, But this problem has nothing to do with Canada Goose, IT’s about people needing products that keep them alive,
    I do believe in free range animals being the way to go, I hate crule treatment to animals or people for that matter,

    I have been that frozen where I could not even take my gloves or coat off with an Ice layer built up on my chest along with snow blindness and conjuctiveitus all bought on by the cold, I live in suburbia by my work makes me have to go in less cozy areas, Its not about wearing whats cool or in vogue,

    Canada Goose just supply these items that common man does not have the skills to make, Nearly all first nations people from all around the world use natural products weather they are animal or organic as in trees etc, so weather it is a tree or a vine or grass that is cut down to make huts twine/rope it is still a living thing, And My survival due to the most common cause of death in winter is far more important to me than all of the above,
    All of the pictures of these animal caught in traps are not PROOF of what Canada Goose does to obtain the fur that they use, Those Pictures are of what others do and unless these people have Canada Goose ID cards or the Furs/Skins have actually been traced back to Canada Goose then Those pictures are being used frudulent manor,

    I Like your ability to care about such things But you have to look at the bigger picture not just blaim a company, You might never have been in such life threatening places but quite a few of us have, and why should my family loose one of its members and but be thrown in to poverty because of those who want to ban such items,
    IF your cause was for the saving of Whales then I would agree with you because those japanese whaling ships say they need 2500 whales for research per year, Which we know is all Lies because where the heck are they going to store 2500 whales for research, and yet no one does a thing, The US government ridicules those who protect the whales and so Does the Australian government, THESE are the real crimes and this is where you could do your best work where it really counts,

    yours thankfully, J Eric

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