Canada frequently trails others in its attitudes and policies regarding animals. Whether it’s a lack of a meaningful Endangered Species Act or protection of the trees and lands, or support of international treaties, protection for fur-bearing animals or ordinary anti-cruelty measures, Canada’s record is abysmal. Many people think of Canada and think of the annual seal slaughter. While this year saw the fewest seals killed in decades ( http://ca.news.yahoo.com/commercial-seal-hunt-off-canadas-east-coast-one-135017906.html ) , it’s still a puzzling affair to any rational person why the government continues to push for and defend this annual slaughter. The Green Party of Canada, headed by Saanich & Gulf Islands MP Elizabeth May, remains the only national political party to speak against this. The Greens support ideas promoted for years by Friends of Animals: buy back the licensing for killing crews, and promote the growth of better jobs ( http://greenparty.ca/media-release/2011-06-14/end-sealing-subsidies-and-keep-dfo-conservation-programs-say-greens ) . While a few other Ministers…