Canada’s Biggest Food Companies Still Missing Cage-Free Targets a Decade After Pledges, Report Finds

A new report from animal welfare organization Mercy For Animals finds that Canada continues to trail the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union on cage-free egg production, ten years after major retailers and restaurant chains first pledged to phase out battery cages.

The 2026 Canada Animal Welfare Scorecard evaluates 46 food companies operating in Canada on their cage-free egg and Better Chicken Commitment (BCC) progress. According to the report, Canada sits at 21% cage-free production, compared to 82% in the UK, 64% in the EU, and 47% in the US.

Retailers show wide gaps between markets

The report highlights discrepancies between how some multinational companies perform in Canada versus other markets. Costco reported 22.6% cage-free progress in Canada in 2025, against roughly 85% in the US and 75% in the UK. Walmart Canada reported 9%, compared to 27% in its US operations.

Among Canadian grocers, Sobeys has reported approximately 17% cage-free sourcing for five consecutive years, while Loblaw Companies and Metro report 18% and 14% respectively. The report notes that Empire Company, Sobeys’ parent, has added “enriched cage” language to its animal welfare goals, a system the report describes as giving hens marginally more space than standard battery cages.

Canada’s Biggest Food Companies Still Missing Cage-Free Targets a Decade After Pledges, Report Finds — Image: Eimi Vergara on Pexels

Some companies report full transition

Fifteen companies are reported to have fulfilled their cage-free commitments, a 60% increase since the 2024 edition, including A&W Canada, Boston Pizza, McDonald’s Canada, Subway, and Mary Brown’s Chicken. Eleven restaurant chains are now reported at 100% cage-free sourcing, which the report states is a 35% increase since the prior edition. Restaurant Brands International, which owns Burger King, Popeyes, and Tim Hortons, published a cage-free roadmap for Canada, reporting 39% progress in 2025, up from 11% the previous year.

On the Better Chicken Commitment side, which covers standards including stocking density, lighting, litter quality, and slaughter method, the report states that implementation of higher-welfare breed requirements remains limited across the companies assessed, despite more than 50 companies having signed on to BCC standards generally.

“Promises should have meant progress”

“Ten years of promises should have meant progress, not excuses. Mercy For Animals’ 2026 Canada Animal Welfare Scorecard reveals many companies have failed to deliver. While brands stall, millions of sensitive animals continue to suffer,” said Maha Bazzi, Director of Animal Welfare Initiatives at Mercy For Animals.

The organization is calling on companies to eliminate cage confinement entirely, reject enriched cages as a substitute for cage-free sourcing, adopt Better Chicken Commitment standards, and publish measurable, time-bound implementation plans.

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Retailers show wide gaps between markets

Some companies report full transition

“Promises should have meant progress”

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