PETA Urges TIFF To Cut Ties With Canada Goose

The Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) opening night was picketed by activists from PETA over sponsorship from Canada Goose, a company that uses coyote fur and goose down in its jackets. 

The oft-criticized jacket brand is sponsoring the best film award for TIFF, which comes with $30,000 in prize money. PETA has been asking TIFF for a number of years to cut ties with the sponsor on grounds of animal cruelty.

The activists lined up outside of the Bell Lightbox Theatre on King Street, where the films for the festival are being screened. Many toted signs picturing bloodied and skinned coyotes and geese, with captions that read “this is the rest of your Canada Goose jacket.” 

The Berlin International Film Festival has listened to PETA’s demands and no longer accepts sponsorship money from the brand. 

Animal Cruelty, PETA and Canada Goose

Canada Goose uses coyote fur sourced from trappers. The coyotes are caught in steel traps, which often break bones and tear skin, and may be there for days before a trapper returns to kill them. 

After PETA lodged a complaint with the US Federal Trade Commission, the jacket brand removed a claim that it ensures its suppliers do not abuse animals in order to comply with advertising standards.

Do you think TIFF should cut ties with the brand? Let us know in the comments below!