MEDIA ADVISORY - Fisheries and Oceans Committee May Tank Whale and Dolphin Bill Today

"Free Willy" bill is under serious threat

OTTAWA, April 2, 2019 /CNW/ - Barbara Cartwright, CEO of Humane Canada is available to comment on the outcome of the clause by clause study of Bill S-203, An Act to Ban the Captivity of Whales and Dolphins, scheduled at the House of Commons today.

Fast Facts on Bill S-203

• Bill S-203 phases out the captivity of cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises) in Canada, except for rescues, rehabilitation and licensed scientific research.
• Science indicates keeping cetaceans captive is cruel because of their characteristics and needs (high-level intelligence, emotions, sociability, acoustic-sensitivity and roaming lifestyles).
• In captivity, cetaceans suffer confinement, isolation, health problems, reduced lifespans, high infant mortality rates, sensory deprivation, and trauma from transfer to other parks and calf separation.
• Legally, S-203 grandfathers out captivity in three ways:
• Bans Live Captures in Canadian Waters under the Fisheries Act, except for rescues. Currently captures are legal if licensed. The last cetacean captures in Canada occurred in 1992 (belugas near Churchill).
• Bans Imports and Exports except if licensed for scientific research or cetaceans' best interests (i.e. transfer to an open water sanctuary) under WAPPRITTA (Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act).
• Bans Breeding under the animal cruelty provisions of the Criminal Code, subject to a summary conviction and $200,000 fine, unless provincially licensed for scientific research.

ABOUT HUMANE CANADA
Humane Canada is the federation of SPCAs and humane societies, driving positive, progressive change to end animal cruelty, improve animal protection and promote the humane treatment of all animals. To learn more about Humane Canada, please visit humanecanada.ca

SOURCE Humane Canada

Barbara Cartwright, Office: 613-224-8072 ext. 22, Cell: 613-601-1096, E-mail: [email protected]