Archived - Notification of charges laid against Elite Farm Services Ltd., Dwayne Paul Dueck, and Sofina Foods Inc./Aliments Sofina Inc. under the Health of Animals Regulations

December 11, 2018, Ottawa – On November 14, 2018, as result of an investigation by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA), 38 charges under the Health of Animals Regulations were laid against Elite Farm Services Ltd., Dwayne Paul Dueck, Chilliwack, British Columbia, and Sofina Foods Inc./Aliments Sofina Inc., Markham, Ontario.

It is alleged that Elite Farm Services Ltd., Dwayne Paul Dueck, and Sofina Foods Inc./Aliments Sofina Inc. did unlawfully beat an animal, to wit: chickens, being loaded or unloaded in a way likely to cause injury or undue suffering to it, in violation of section 139(1) and did unlawfully load or cause to be loaded, an animal, to wit: chickens, in a way likely to cause injury or undue suffering to it in violation of section 139(2).

Section 139(1) of the Health of Animals Regulations indicates that:

(1) No person shall beat an animal being loaded or unloaded in a way likely to cause injury or undue suffering to it.

Section 139(2) of the Health of Animals Regulations indicates that:

(2) No person shall load or unload, or cause to be loaded or unloaded, an animal in a way likely to cause injury or undue suffering to it.

Elite Farm Services Ltd., Dwayne Paul Dueck, and Sofina Foods Inc./Aliments Sofina Inc. will appear before a justice for the Province of British Columbia in the Provincial Court at Chilliwack Law Courts, 46085 Yale Road, Chilliwack, B.C. V2P 2L8 on December 18, 2018 at 9:00 a.m., local time.

The CFIA is responsible for the administration and enforcement of federal legislation, acts and regulations, including the Health of Animals Act and Regulations. We are dedicated to safeguarding food, animal, and plant health, which enhance the health and well-being of Canada's people, environment, and economy.

CFIA issues notifications of charges laid to inform the public when charges have been laid by CFIA's Enforcement and Investigation Services (EIS). Charges are laid by EIS after the Public Prosecution Service of Canada (PPSC) decides to prosecute the charges. This notice is part of our commitment to openness and transparency, and ongoing efforts to increase awareness of our role in encouraging compliance with the various acts and regulations. In all cases, the subject of charges is presumed innocent until proven guilty.