Loblaw Companies Ltd., a leading Canadian retailer that owns major grocers including Loblaws, Real Canadian Superstore, and Independent Markets, made a commitment in 2016 to phase out eggs from hens confined in cruel cages. However, six years later, this promise remains unfulfilled, with minimal progress made by the company.
But big changes are happening at Loblaw—and we’re optimistic that the brand may finally make hens a priority. Loblaw’s former CEO Galen Weston has stepped down from his long-time position, and a new CEO named Per Bank is taking his place. Per Bank is a Danish executive who previously led Salling Group, the largest retailer in Denmark, which went cage-free in 2017.
Now at the helm as the new CEO, it’s time for Loblaw to reevaluate its stance on animal welfare and on its commitments!
This Monday, November 20, Animal Justice took our message directly to Loblaw executives at the GroceryConnex event in Toronto. Despite freezing temperatures, supporters gathered outside the Fairmont Royal York Hotel to be a voice for hens who suffer in tiny cages.
While some advocates held signs outside the venue, some carried large walking billboards that circled the hotel throughout the afternoon, displaying a poignant message directly targeting Per Bank. These billboards served as a visible and moving reminder of Loblaw’s broken promise.
Hens Suffer in Tiny Wire Cages
The practice of caging hens is not only cruel, but entirely unnecessary. These sensitive birds spend their lives confined in wire cages, denied access to natural behaviours like dust bathing and foraging, and don’t have space to even spread their wings due to the cramped conditions. The continuation of this practice by a leader in the grocery industry like Loblaw is disappointing and contradicts their earlier promises of progress.
Our action is a call for transparency and corporate responsibility. As the largest retailer in Canada, Loblaw’s silence and the lack of a new timeline for eliminating caged eggs from their supply chain is concerning. This is at odds with their stated commitment to “transparency, accountability, and sound corporate governance.”
As we stood with our billboards and posters, we sent Per Bank and Loblaw a clear message: Honour your commitment. The time to end the cruelty of caged hen eggs is now!
Join us in demanding that Loblaw keeps their promise. It’s essential for companies to not only take responsibility for their actions but also to provide transparency in their efforts to end this form of animal abuse. Your voice matters in holding corporations accountable. Together, we can make a difference and eliminate cruel cages in Canada.
