Who would the coyote vote for?

Who would our wild neighbours vote for if they had the opportunity in the upcoming Ontario election?

I sometimes see comments on posts where people object to “politics” being introduced into art or creative pursuits like photography. They enjoy the beautiful images but don’t want to consider how policies affect the animals or the environment. Perhaps they agree with those policies, revealing a disconnect between appreciating nature and recognizing the real-life impact of their political beliefs.

Yet, while policies go overlooked, many of these incredible wild neighbors endure unspeakable cruelty and hardship under the watch of our current provincial government.

Would you support the Doug Ford government if he allowed dog fights in your neighbor’s yard? Most would be horrified by the bloodsport and the cries of suffering animals. But what if he increased the opportunities for hunters to release dogs to chase and kill coyotes, foxes, and rabbits? This past year, the Conservative government expanded licenses, permitting hunters to set dogs upon wild animals in enclosed spaces. That fox or coyote you see on a hike could be captured and taken to one of these enclosures, forced to fight for survival while hunters sadistically train their hounds to kill. Disturbingly, many still excuse this practice. Reading comments from hunters who take pleasure in this carnage, cloaking their actions under the guise of “wildlife management,” is deeply unsettling.

As if that weren’t enough, Ford is dismantling environmental protections, removing assessments before developments that destroy the only homes these animals have. After the near-sale of the Greenbelt, it’s clearer than ever that this government is no friend to the environment. If you’re considering supporting the Ford government, don’t expect a change of heart—these destructive practices will continue.

Our wild neighbors want many of the same things we do: freedom from persecution, the ability to live in safe, clean environments, and the opportunity to raise their families in peace. If animals could vote, they certainly wouldn’t support what’s happening now.