CTV News Montreal

Updated: Fri Dec. 17 2010 7:35:30 PM

ctvmontreal.ca and The Canadian Press

MONTREAL — The furry frills on Justin Trudeau's Christmas card have drawn fire from an animal rights group.

The card that the Liberal MP for Papineau sent to his constituents this year has Trudeau and his family in parkas with thick fur-lined hoods huddled under a fur blanket.

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals has blasted the MP and his family for wearing coyote fur, calling it "a lurid way of celebrating peace on Earth."

PETA spokeswoman Jane Dollinger calls the fur a product of misery and says coyotes are often killed in steel-jaw traps which have been banned in many other countries.

In Montreal, local PETA spokesman Lucas Solowey told CTV Montreal's Catherine Sherriffs that the card also sends the wrong message.

"It's not great for a holiday card, it doesn't bring the message of cheer," he said. "It brings the message that cruelty to animals is okay, and it's not okay."

Trudeau's office refused to comment on PETA's fiery reaction to the cards.

But spokesman Alex Lanthier says Trudeau and his family were wearing parkas made by Canada Goose, a Canadian company which has a "sustainable way" of collecting fur.

Canada Goose says it obtains the fur in the most humane ways and adheres to the guidelines of the Fur Council of Canada.

The company's policy also says it uses coyote fur "only as absolutely necessary, and exclusively for functional purposes."

Lanthier says this seems to be the first time Trudeau's family has been photographed in fur, but pointed out the MP's late father and former prime minister was photographed in similar fur-lined parkas multiple times in the past.

Furthermore, says Allan Herscovici of the Fur Council of Canada, the industry is subject to strict standards and also has little impact on the environment.

"In Canada the fur trade is well regulated," he said. "We are not using any endangered species. In fact, the fur trade is an environmental success story of sustainable use of renewable resources."

In Trudeau's riding of Papineau in the Parc-Extension-Saint Michel-Villeray borough, reactions from constituents were mixed, with some seeing no problem with the greeting card while others feel Trudeau should have known better.

"I think he's a rising star in Canadian politics," one constituent said. "Honestly, that's kind of a faux pas that shouldn't be done when you are where you are in his career right now."

Comments are now closed for this story

dan,Vancouver
Synthetics and fake fur are made from sequestered carbon, promoting global-warming over the long run with eventual decomposition.

They are also FAKE.

Animal furs are generated on circulating carbon.

And they are REAL.
They are also BEAUTIFUL.
They are also part of aboriginal and Canadian HERITAGE.

Canada was built on animals, and that progress should continue.

Save the planet! Stop global warming! Boycott petro-fake-furs!

Meat tastes GOOD!

Pamela Lyps
He looks pretty hot and sexy in his little fur..but it's not nice to rip the hide off another being so that you can look like a fox on the hunt for "some". I do agree that he should get a real job on his own merits and not follow Papa's foot steps which seems a little suspect and useless.

Laura
Thank God his brother "Sasha" isn't as weird as he is.

Garett
This Elitist snob honing out a career off the public purse because he's a Trudeau speak to me of "using" his name for a guaranteed cradle to grave income from the taxpayers like a leech. Sorry but I'm not a fan of this Trudeau nor his father. Nepotism is too common place with the off-spring of political elites and we certainly don't need useless dynastic families with entitlement issues occupying uselessly seats in parliament while claiming to us mere mortals that we need them. This is utter B.S. The fur is a bad choice too. Most Canadians are lucky if they can afford polyester. They all look like rich snobs..I'm not impressed!

teeb
i love Luke's response.. if u missed it... here
Luke
The part that I like best is where PETA chooses it's battles based on absurd criteria.

For example;

- Is the animal sufficiently cute?
- Is the person targeted enough of a celebrity?
- Can we get a lot of media attention without doing anything other than whine?

I mean, seriously, they don't seem to give a damn about actual animal rights/ environmental issues - only about protecting the cute cuddlies.

True story: a vegetarian friend of mine was at an all-day music festival where there was no vegetarian food for sale. She couldn't find any festival reps but noticed PETA had a booth, so she went to them and asked why they didn't try to get vegetarian food on the festival menu. The PETA people apologized and gave her a coupon for (wait for it...) KFC! By all rights, PETA should HATE KFC - but I guess chickens aren't furry enough to care about.

Ashley P
I seriously think people should consider the fact that they even sent out holiday greetings, that's what the season is all about. Smart political move? Poor representation? Who cares?? They look happy. Get over it, and start worrying about something more important.

aidan walsh
how much more weird can this guy get! he does not play poker with a full deck of cards...a really odd person...

Christine
Justin, you really should have thought first, before wearing fur, of any kind and then sending your bedecked family Seasonal Photo!

Sorry, but I find this unacceptable!

Have a good one, and think twice next year!

Liba Ronge
Is Canada integrating into China. USE AND ABUSE OUR NATURE until the last DROP. Majority of us are second or third generation of immigrants. Our parents came here to take a shelter. We should protect and enjoy this beautiful country and try to coexist with people and animals that were here long before us. It is evident that Mr. Trudeau and his family does not need fur clothing; they do not live up North, where this kind of protection is necessary. In this case, it is just a show off and arrogant "spit" in our face. Guess what happen next!?!

Jen, Montreal
How dare Justin Trudeau attack PETA, an organisation that protects the rights of animals in a society that abuses and tortures animals for fashion, entertainment and profit. Leg traps and fur farms are by no means humane-animals suffer for days in leg traps and they try to bite off their limbs in order to free themselves. Fur farms grow animals in confined and isolated environments which foster psychological breakdowns. Not all Canadian traditions should be continued, especially those which are immoral and have no place in today's society.

Cascade Kate
The Trudeau family look lovely and the value of carrying on the tradition of his parents is a dignified tribute & is mindful of the memories of his youth.
Leave it alone & put scoring the politics points aside. Peace during the holidays from the Cascade Mountains, Hope BC.

i.s.
Innocent animals suffer horrific cruelty on a daily basis and the apathy shown in some posts is incomprehensible.

Pam
Congratulatioins Justin!
You accomplished just what you set out to do and that is to get all the Canadians fighting with each other! I this is an example of political statments to impress us when you run, well this kind of controversy is this type of government, I do not want. You will never get my vote! Merry Christmas to you and your family.

As far as Canada being built on KILLING animals,excuse me! Is that what put Canada together? Humm, I guess we should change the history books.

LorraineH
People need to get a grip. We have people living on the streets, we have seniors that could lose their homes due to high taxes, we have people waiting too long for heart surgery, etc. etc. etc. Coyotes are not an endangered species and, in fact, cause harm to farm animals as well as humans (woman killed in Cape Breton).

The Fur Council of Canada regulates our fur trade industry.

When I look at the picture I see a proud and happy family - no less and no more. Justin Trudeau's political future should be decided on more than his wearing of a winter jacket with a hood that has coyote fur on it.

Peta has always had tunnel vision without being willing to accept anything but their way. I don't know who made them God but I will make decisions about what to wear myself. I hope Trudeau and his family enjoy their jackets.

If I could afford it I would have one of those jacket as well.

tom91
I love my leather Nike shoes and my leather work gloves. I also like my cool leather jacket. I love fur too!! Sometimes I like to wear it only once and then throw it away and buy new fur. That way, my fur is always fresh!

Maria G
People get a life. Leave them alone. You think you are all perfect. Happy holidays the Trudeau family.

SmileitsDave
Stop giving PETA a soap box to stand on they a very small marginal group with bizarre ideas - remember "Wear fur the renewable resource" PETA seems to support the Petrochemical industry - big polluters by wearing nylon, rayon and other artificial products - I wonder how many animals killed by these industries - think tar pond ducks etc.

Gee Bee
Justin haven't got your card yet,I'm sure its lost in the mail. Mabe you can fix this when you're Prime Minister. Love the Fur.
Merry Christmas.

OOps I am allowed to say that! Sorry Joyeux Noel

Anne Streeter
Justin Trudeau represents a middle class riding. I doubt that his constituents could afford $800 coats for everyone in the family - including tiny tots. What kind of a message is that and what kind of a message does Justin give out by wearing a garment that is considered socially unacceptable by so many. This doesn't sound like political smarts to me!

prettybird00001@hotmail.com
"Helga Laval
Oh dear..they all have that "inbred look" going on. Are Justin and his wife 1st cousins?"

Wow somebody read the article...

albe
Not a fan of the Trudeau family, but i do think PETA gets it wrong : the fur is from animals that are not being culled from the shrinking habitat for extinction ,coyotes are a problem in Alberta farming area. The animals are aloowed to reproduce , fine , if none are allowed to we might end up with the Australian rabbit infestation.
A fine lady i know bought a Blackglama fur but the fur is on the inside a cloth exterior as this what she wants to avoid people spitting on her coat.

Patrick
Wow.. Last time I remember, freedom of expression and liberties.. SO WHAT!!, Kids are out of control today, graduates that can't read or do basic life skills all because of all these fuzzy federalist. Oh poor animals, poor people, poor this and that.. ENOUGH!! That is the photo that they choose ok then its their business and enough said!

John
I have no problem with people wearing fur.
I also laugh at the hypocrisy of people who wear synthetic fibres and pretend they're being kinder to the environment. Hello!? Those synthetic fibres made from... wait for it... CRUDE OIL are nicer for the environment?

Fed up with him always being in the spotlight
The "wear fur for warmth" proponents here would have a much stronger case if fur were actually worn for warmth: that is, turned to the inside for maximum insulation, and therefore not providing much of a fashion statement on the outside. The fact that fur is used almost exclusively as trim or as the exterior of the garment pretty much puts that argument to rest.BTW I am fed up with the spotlight always being put on this attention-craving spoiled brat. He only got elected because of the nostalgia of ageing baby boomers who somehow think this is P.E.T. reincarnated! Get a real job like the rest of us!

Stewart
They should have added Justin's Mama in the pic eating a bowl of Fruit Loops.

Kevin
Justin's father Mick Jagger would be proud.

Helga Laval
Oh dear..they all have that "inbred look" going on. Are Justin and his wife 1st cousins?

Kenny
If there is such a thing called the Fur Council of Canada, then why do we have the seal hunt? clearly this council isn't doing very well.

Animal Freedom Day
The slavery of animals is a worldwide blight that seemingly has no end. Animals suffer greatly by the hand of the species thought to be the most “evolved”. Sadly, by consuming our cohabitants, we are harming not only our planet, but ourselves.

The mass slaying of factory-farmed animals poses a greater threat to our environment than all vehicles and wars combined. The dangers of factory farming loom upon us, in the form of virulent disease, health issues, and irrefutable cruelty. I believe that healthy coexistence among animals and people can only be gained once we stop the genocide of their kind.

A factory-farmed animal is usually conceived artificially. Many cows are used for breeding then casually tossed to the gates of dog-food manufacturers once they are unable to produce. From conception, these animals (mainly cows, pigs, sheep, fish, and poultry) suffer through deplorable living conditions. These conditions are said to be made better through revisionary tactics (the implementation of free-range methods and the abolition of genetically modified organisms) but these dance around the major issue—animals should not be eaten by our kind.

According to The Nutrition Source site, from the Harvard School of Public Health, milk isn’t the best source of calcium for everyone. Collard greens and legumes are more than enough to sustain us, yet we keep cows producing until they are worn and beat before their stated life expectancy. Calves destined to become veal are confined to narrow pens and forced to eat an iron-deficient diet to coerce their muscle mass into immobility. Veal calves have been found twisting themselves into ruin in an attempt to lick iron nails embedded in their stalls.

EDITOR'S NOTE: We don't post external web links in our comments section

Norm_D
Hey, I was always under the impression that PETA is the acronym for People Eat Tasty Animals.
How this this group of weirdos come up with the idea initially that these were natural furs in the first place? Did they just assume? Turns out that they were but "so what". We live in a cold climate and no matter how good synthetics may become furs are still better.

dan,Vancouver
This country was BUILT on killing animals.

Alexander
As a member of the other PETA - People Eating Tasty Animals - I say GREAT! Wear the fur, eat the flesh - don't waste a thing, that's the "green" thing to do, the sustainable thing to do, the right thing to do!

Arnatiaq
"Trailer trash"? "High maintenance"? Please people, enough of the smarmy juvenile comments. This is a lovely photo of happy Canadian family (whether you agree with Justin's politics or not).

I applaud them for a clearly political statement that means a lot to those of us who live in Northern Canada. Faux fur up here in Nunavut?? Not a chance! You wouldn't last for a minute out on the land. There is a reason why fur is the material of choice for those who live in cold climates. I would pick a natural, renewable resource product any day over one produced using petroleum.

louie
PETA spokeswoman Jane Dollinger do you wear leather shoes

Georges Dupras
Bad "political" move on the part of Justin Trudeau. Cruelty aside, trapping is indiscriminate and has a very negative cascading impact on prey-predator relationships. The dyes used in the production of a fur coat include sulphuric acid,formaldehyde and ammonia. It is truly unfortunate the Mr. Trudeau has sacrificed "vision" to the benefit of special interests and party line. Justin once said that he was not like his Father,...but the acorn doesn't fall from from the tree does it.

Maxine
Oh they look just like my neighbors redneck trailer trash.

Garth
What's next? An appearance on "Sarah Palin's Alaska" and skinning a moose?

David
His wife looks spoiled and "high maintenance" kinda like Mummy Margaret in her Studio 54 days. The kids are cute but I hope they don't grow up with the idea that they are "automatically" entitled to Canadian public service and sucking our tax dollars too. Do the tags say "Made in China"??? Ruff ruff...meow meow!

Catheriine
I don't see any problem with what they are wearing. It's coyote fur? Great. HAVE WE ALL FORGOTTEN WHAT HAPPENED TO TAYLOR MITCHELL OCT 28, 2009? She was killed by coyotes back home in Cape Breton on a hiking trail. We people sit back and always find something to complain about. THINK ABOUT IT!!!!! The seal hunt...people want it stopped. Wake up...they are eating up all our fish stocks. Our forests are becoming empty of animals because of over hunting. The coyote is coming out of the forest and attacking people. I say use the fur, our homeless shelters right now are lacking blankets to keep people warm. Now there is an idea. Merry Christmas to The Trudeau family and what a beautiful family they are. His Dad would be proud.

Pat
Just because our country was built on using and trading fur, doesn't mean that it should still be the case. With the invention of synthetic fabrics and fake furs I do not see the point in killing animals when we can get the same materials elsewhere. Our country was built on a lot of things that we do not do anymore; it's called progress.

Emmanuel
Come on Everyone , Cut Justin Some slack will you ? - Let me ask you all ? what's worse ? -
WATCHING documentaries featuring ANIMALS getting slaughtered for the purpose of educating ? on THE DISCOVERY CHANNEL or NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC ? or A HARMLESS Beautiful Pic OF justin and his family giving us warm wishes. I DONT KNOW about you ,but i'll take this Greeting Card over anything else gratuitous and senseless

Gregory Brass
The North American continent, and what is now called Canada in particular, were founded on fur - people seem to forget that. And what PETA and their furry-headed friends and supporters fail to understand about the fur-trade is that it was one of most economically sustainable and longest surviving activities involving Indigenous peoples in Canada's history. It is a lot environmentally cleaner than manufacturing synthetic materials which also take a long time to break down in a landfill.

Sonia
OMG!!! comon guys, stop that...
Lets talk about the taxes going up and the Government going to hell and people are talking about the fur on a christmas pictures People get a life please,
These is worst things in life!
Beautiful picture,
beautiful family.
That's right keep warm!!!!
It could be fake fur People
Merry Christmas

Stephen Bowyer
His father a coward who shirked war service to This Country; sandalling around in China- and then a pinko-socialist who ruined the Canadian economy in a subversive set of economic/immigration policies-and when the people revolted against the revolting P.E.T. his own personal fear drove him to the War Measures Act (rememberthat loss of your rights as a founding Canadian? I do.) and now this offal and his family sucking at the public political trough - any of the animals fur that they wear was worth more than the whole lot of the disgustingly self-aware Trudeauso- a pox on their house.

Michael Zuk DDS
What's the alternative? Fake fur made from petroleum will upset another group. If he's like his old man, then he can take it.

Jeff McCade
I would think people would have better things to do or complain about. Want to complain then complain about the Canadian Olympic Organization selling Chinese made mittens to raise fund for Canadian Athletes. Shame Canadian Athletes, unlike Trudeau,don't feel the need to support the Canadian workers they want to support them

EWW
Can you spell tacky? Im not anti-fur or anything but that is one ugly look they've got going! Cute kids, though.
It's too bad Justin can't make a career for himself- at least Sasha's got a real career that isnt influenced by his father's old followers!

Urgh, he bores me.

Joe
Who decided on this "style" for a Christmas photo? Let me guess Rock n' Roll Momma Margaret of Rolling Stones party-gal fame. Nuts!

Blake
I am not a vegetarian because I love animals. I am a vegetarian because I hate plants!

Jerod
His wife looks like a real uppity "foo foo"! It's any wonder they didn't have a little French Poodle with a purple crop of hair in the group shot with them. Oh pass the Grey Poupon s'il vous plait!

Millicent
They all look like models for KANUK. Where's the sugar pie and sloppy beans? Which one is the man in the photo? Yuck!

Jovan
I can't stand Justin Trudeau. Clearly a brat of nepotism using his father's legacy as if "he" is entitled for a taxpayer's subsidized salary and life-long career. There should be term limits so these elite champagne socialist politicians we are blessed with (sarcasm) in Canada aren't milking us from cradle to grave. The fur is a bad choice not just because it was ripped off the body of an animal..but because it makes them look silly and like rich snobs. Do they even realize how ordinary Canadians are struggling to get by with food, shelter and taxes? The Trudeaus really are on another planet. This photo makes me cringe.

Joe
OMG seriously people.

There is worst things in life!!!

Merry Christmas ..Justin and family you look nice and warm

ResearchAssociate
Gorgeous photo. Thanks.

pedro
peta is one of those extremist groups who have succeeded in making themselves irrelevant. The very fact that this bothers them is a point in your favor justin. Merry Christmas.

TheDukeofWaterloo
How is this even news?

PETA tries to find any method possible to get themselves into the news with rhetoric and exhausting emotional imagery. Do they honestly think that Canadians, especially the 50% that live in rural areas, believe that Justin would be so oblivious as to purchase fur made from a "coyote trapped in a steel jaw trap."

Obviously Justin, along with all other MPs, take careful consideration when purchasing all of their products. Most Canadian agree that animals should not be killed in inhumane ways, and as it says in the article, Canada Goose does not use the methods that PETA outrageously insinuates.

The entire population is enraged when someone on the far right spouts off unfounded emotional rhetoric; but for some reason when someone from the far left tries to promote their feudalistic agenda it is worthy of national news.

I don't understand.

wolfeden
Oh...PUH...LEASE!!!!!!

furtastic
Fur is warm check
Fur is sustainable check
Fur is a gift from the earth check
Fur comes from animals and we eat animals check
Fur looks super awesome
check

I have two pointy teeth for a reason. If animals are not being treated ethically than that is the issue not wearing something people have worn for millennia.

Come on!

Peter S
I hope the fur in the picture was produced and processed in Canada. Besides being the ultimate protection against Canadian winter it also helped some Canadian to put food on the table.

Pina
All these people having issues with fur this, and skin that, are alittle all retarded. I doubtfully think that animals are killed just for their fur. They make use of what is dead & turn it either in a fur coat, designs on a coat, leather gloves, jackets etc....

Personnally I don't care. But if something will look nice on me, and keep me warm, I pay for it, nd its my business and no one elses. People should stop wasting their time on these things. Think of the many times driving to work & back home the polution you cause killing not only the animals, but your own health.

Bryan southern
I don't know what it is about Justin Trudeau...but I find him incredibly irritating. I don't really care if he wears fur, I just want him to go away. With his excruciatingly over accurate pronunciation and his stilted dialogue. Is it just me?
I liked his dad as he was interesting but that gene seems to have skipped a generation.

pm
enough already, stop your whining!!! Happy Holidays to the Trudeau family!!!!!!!

odette boily
Dear Peta,

I have been a complete vegan for 23 years and wear fur, leather, wool, cotton, silk and linen. All this fuss about fur and leather clothes is plain hypocrisy when millions of cattle or beef, lamb and other animals are killed every year to feed people. Become vegan and save the animals. Otherwise, I will continue to re-cycle what people do not eat: fur and leather. I think Mr. Trudeau and his family look very cosy in this winter season especially in Quebec and Alberta where I live. I suppose the rest, just keep on freezing and save the coyotes which are a pest anyway! Remember, the Creator clothed our first parents with coat of skins in Genesis 3, rather than their flimsy leaves. Thank God for warm boots, gloves, hats and fur coats!

Ella-Maxi
What a blatant example of stupidity "THE" Justin...Trudeau pulls. Another example of the "pretentious" elitist Justin Trudeau clearly a by-product of good old "nepotism" riding Daddy's coat-tails to a "cradle to grave" elitist political career and a leech on the Canadian taxpayer thinking he can do just about anything he wants and like teflon it will roll right off because in his mind the masses ...the little people love him. Not a fan!

M. Caron
Canada was "founded" by people who held views that were contemporary of that time period. What was acceptable at that time is not necessarily acceptable now. Most of the men who founded Canada were also racist, sexist, and responsible for stealing land that was not theirs and trying to annihilate the Aboriginal peoples.

Change can be positive.

The Trudeau's do not need to wear fur for warmth as our fore-fathers did. I can't say I see the value in continuing traditions just for the sake of tradition.

Mike
I agree C. Stevens.

Canada was built upon the fur trade...and there is nothing shameful about that. There is a reason why fur was, and is worn.

It's warm!

Nuff said.

Bob Jennings
Suggestion for Mr. Trudeau:

Perhaps next year's holiday card can be of him and his adorable family clubbing some baby seals!! I bet that would put a smile on C. Stevens' face, EH?

Marco
what would a day be without an uproar, protest, seriously can we stop the daily nagging about useless garbage, instead of focusing all our time and energy on protecting animals how about finding a way to creates job and get the homeless off the streets

Sue
It's Canada people...they look warm and cozy.

Riding on his father's coattails again!
Incredibly, it seems not to have occurred to Mr. Trudeau that swathing his family in dead wild animals would upset anyone!!

Let's be realisitic! Steel-jaw traps often cause coyotes and other animals to gnaw off their own legs in an attempt to escape.

Oh, but wait ... Canada Goose has a "sustainable way" of collecting fur…. So it’s an environmental statement? Oh ok, that should pacify the green wing of the Liberal party.

Sensitive Liberal types might think differently, however, particularly those in urban ridings. Mr. Trudeau obviously has the judgment of a bunny in a leg trap and takes his electorate for granted.

And, once again, he appears to be following in the fancy footwork of his father. (What’s next, a pirouette at the Royal Wedding, assuming he and Mme. Trudeau are invited?) For those with short memories, Pierre Elliott Trudeau was snapped many a time sporting a fur-trimmed parka – astride a motorcycle, mushing in the Arctic, taking in the Grey Cup, etc.

Dear Mr. Trudeau, a word of advice: please stop living your father’s legacy (and riding on your father’s coattails – no pun intended) if you want to fashion your own!

ab
I think wearing fur is cruel. I think it's time people wake up and treat animals ethically and with respect. They are not objects and should not be part of furniture and clothing. Humans should leave animals alone, they want to live just like the rest of us.

Luke
The part that I like best is where PETA chooses it's battles based on absurd criteria.

For example;

- Is the animal sufficiently cute?
- Is the person targeted enough of a celebrity?
- Can we get a lot of media attention without doing anything other than whine?

I mean, seriously, they don't seem to give a damn about actual animal rights/ environmental issues - only about protecting the cute cuddlies.

True story: a vegetarian friend of mine was at an all-day music festival where there was no vegetarian food for sale. She couldn't find any festival reps but noticed PETA had a booth, so she went to them and asked why they didn't try to get vegetarian food on the festival menu. The PETA people apologized and gave her a coupon for (wait for it...) KFC! By all rights, PETA should HATE KFC - but I guess chickens aren't furry enough to care about.

C. Stevens
Justin and his family can categorically disregard anyone from PETA griping about the family's use of furs.

Canada was founded by people who wore furs, sold furs, and raised animals for fur. They eat the meat, they made tools from the bones, and there's nothing ethically wrong with these practices.

PETA... You can whine all you want, some of us on this planet are meat-eating, meat-loving, fur-wearing people.

Justin, Nice look! Merry Christmas.