The GentleWays campaign for the humane treatment of crustaceans began with a simple ethical principle: if we choose to eat other animals, we owe them the least suffering possible. This principle — modest, practical, and compassionate — continues to guide every step of our work.
Long before GentleWays for Our Planet was founded, our organization’s founder, Dr. Aïda Warah, began raising concerns about the treatment of lobsters and other crustaceans. As early as 2011, letters were sent to federal and municipal leaders calling attention to the issue and urging more humane practices. At the time, public awareness was limited, but international animal-welfare organizations were already beginning to examine crustacean suffering more closely. Their work helped shape the early ethical and scientific foundation of our position.
In 2018, further letters were sent to national and municipal leadership encouraging the adoption of humane slaughter methods. When GentleWays was formally established in 2020, the organization publicly reaffirmed its commitment to ending practices such as the live boiling of crustaceans and to promoting humane alternatives grounded in science.
Over the past decade, scientific understanding has advanced significantly. A major UK-commissioned scientific review concluded that decapod crustaceans — including lobsters, crabs, and shrimp — are sentient and capable of experiencing pain and distress. This growing body of evidence has influenced policy abroad. Several countries, including Switzerland, New Zealand, Norway, and the United Kingdom, now recognize crustacean sentience in law or regulation and have restricted or prohibited live boiling and other inhumane practices.
Ontario has already demonstrated leadership in animal welfare through the creation of a fully provincial enforcement framework under the Provincial Animal Welfare Services (PAWS) Act. Our campaign builds on this strong foundation. Our aim is not to create an entirely new system, but to encourage thoughtful regulatory updates that extend humane consideration to sentient crustaceans.
From the beginning, our approach has been guided by three commitments: to rely on scientific evidence, to recognize that sentient beings deserve humane treatment, and to learn from global progress where workable solutions already exist.
Our campaign strategy has developed along two complementary paths. First, we advocate for the inclusion of humane protections for crustaceans within Ontario’s existing PAWS regulatory framework. Second, we encourage practical improvements in everyday settings — asking retailers and restaurants to adopt humane stunning methods and to discontinue stressful practices such as prolonged confinement in crowded display tanks.
Public engagement has been central to this effort. Between 2022 and 2025, support steadily grew through community outreach, educational conversations, tabling sessions, and collaboration with volunteers, board members, and student sustainability groups. In May 2022, an online petition was launched by project lead and board member Teke Rerri, supported by community engagement efforts. A formal paper petition was later prepared and submitted through a sponsoring Member of Provincial Parliament to the Ontario Legislative Assembly in December 2025.
Alongside public engagement, we have pursued constructive dialogue with decision-makers. A campaign package was submitted to the Solicitor General in the summer of 2025 outlining the scientific evidence, international precedents, and practical regulatory options. The Ministry’s response affirmed Ontario’s leadership in animal welfare and noted that future regulatory updates under the PAWS framework remain possible. GentleWays expressed its readiness to contribute scientific resources, stakeholder input, and policy support should review opportunities arise.
Throughout this work, we have been encouraged by collaboration across sectors — from animal-welfare organizations and legal advocates to chefs, retailers, students, and community members. The campaign continues to grow through respectful conversation and shared learning rather than confrontation.
Our public message remains steady and evidence-based: crustaceans are sentient; humane slaughter methods exist; and practical improvements are achievable. Ontario is well positioned to extend its leadership by aligning policy and practice with current science. Meaningful change often begins with small, informed steps taken by many people.
As the campaign moves forward, GentleWays remains committed to constructive participation, public education, and practical solutions. We continue local engagement with food businesses, maintain dialogue with policymakers, and share credible research and policy examples. Supporters are invited to stay informed, share knowledge thoughtfully, and encourage humane practices where they can.
Progress in animal welfare has often followed this pattern — evidence, awareness, dialogue, and gradual reform. We are honored to contribute to that arc, one careful step at a time.