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Liberal MP Justin Trudeau poses with his family on his annual Christmas card.Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press

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

The card that the Liberal MP sent to his constituents this year has Mr. 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 that have been banned in many other countries.

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

But spokesman Alex Lanthier says Mr. Trudeau and his family were wearing parkas made by Canada Goose, a Canadian company that 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."

In a posting on Twitter, Mr. Trudeau suggested he wasn't out to create any controversy.

"I'm glad to support both Canadian products and sustainable fur. But it's mostly just a family Christmas card," he wrote.



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