Tim Hortons, Canada’s largest quick-service restaurant chain, has finally released a detailed timeline to only sell 100% cage-free eggs. Restaurant Brands International (RBI)—the parent company of Tim Hortons, Burger King, Popeye’s, and Firehouse Subs—recently released their 2023 Report, updating customers on plans to achieve cage-free status in Canada by 2028. For the first time, they have included a roadmap outlining the expected yearly progress.
This update comes after RBI initially pledged in 2016 that their brands would be cage-free by 2025, a promise that received significant media attention. However, in 2022, they quietly pushed the deadline back by five years, announcing that Tim Hortons Canada would only be cage-free by 2030.
The delay sparked widespread disappointment among animal protection organizations and concerned consumers alike. Compassionate Canadians took to social media to voice their dismay, and Animal Justice, along with other advocacy groups, engaged in discussions with RBI to stress the importance of sticking to their original commitment.
As a result of this pressure, RBI has now provided a more detailed report, outlining annual targets and reaffirming their goal to be 100% cage-free by 2028.
Some Major Food Companies Are Failing Their Cage-Free Promises
The use of cages in the egg industry is one of the cruelest practices in modern farming, inflicting immense suffering onto gentle hens. This is why the world’s largest food companies have made commitments to go cage-free. Unfortunately, some of the biggest retailers and restaurants in Canada are quietly backing away from their promises. Notably, MTY Group (with brands like Mr. Sub, Timothy’s, and Thai Express) has completely removed its cage-free deadline from recent reports and now says it plans to use both cage-free egg and eggs from hens kept in so-called “enriched” cages in Canada. This reversal is not only disrespectful to consumers who supported these commitments but also perpetuates the suffering of hens by condemning them to live in small wire cages—contrary to MTY’s original pledge.
Your support is vital in helping hens escape the cruelty of cages. If you can, please take a moment to send a message to MTY Group expressing your disappointment with their recent step back.
Banner: Abigail Messier | We Animals Media
