- checking login information
Loading...Sarah McLachlan Urges Canada Prime Minister To Stop Seal Hunt
The annual hunt for harp seals is underway and animal rights groups like Humane Society International and the International Fund for Animal Welfare have positioned themselves along the east coast of Canada protesting the 2012 slaughter. Joining in this year is singer and Canadian, Sarah McLachlan who wrote a stinging letter to Prime Minister Stephen Harper asking him to stop the cruel hunt.
McLachlan, who is a native of Halifax, wrote to Mr. Harper on behalf of PETA. She pointed out that the commercial hunt is dying thanks to Russia’s decision to join the European Union ban on importing harp seal pelts and accused the Prime Minister of defending the fur industry for political gain.
Here is the letter Ms. McLachlan wrote:
Dear Prime Minister:
I hope this note finds you well. 2012 may mark the final year of the commercial seal slaughter because there’s no commerce in seal furs left. Now that Russia, which had been buying 95 percent of Canadian seal fur, has joined the E.U. and the U.S. in banning seal-fur imports, this business is about as lucrative as an eight-track tape factory. But there’s good news for the Eastern provinces: The recent oil boom has left them flush with a new and reliable source of money. It seems that the only reason why the federal government defends the dying seal-slaughter industry is to control the parliamentary swing seats in Newfoundland and Labrador. This became especially apparent when the fisheries invited only conservatives to the recent Ottawa news conference in support of sealers and also explains why liberals, for the most part, bite their tongues on the issue. The sealers- like tobacco farmers and asbestos miners – need leaders to devise a practical exit strategy for them, not waste millions more in hopeless World Trade Organization challenges or paying to stockpile pelts when buyers already have seal pelts going back several years. Won’t you lead the way?
My friends at PETA and I look forward to hearing from you.
Sincerely,
Sarah McLachlan
The Prime Minister has not commented on McLachlan’s letter, but an email from Keith Ashfield, minister of fisheries and oceans, said his government is “unwavering” in its support for the thousands of coastal Canadians who depend on hunting seals for their livelihoods.
“The seal population is at historically high numbers and the hunt is a sustainable activity based on sound conservation principles. There are no conservation or commercial reasons to end Canada’s seal hunt and our government will not play politics with the livelihoods of Canadians,” continued Ashfield.
The Canadian government has approved 400,000 harp seals to be killed in this year’s hunt.
Related Stories:
Activist Spotlight: Devon Kiley Protects Canada’s Seals
Read more: animal cruelty, animal rights, animal welfare, canada seal hunt, harp seals, International fund for animal welfare, Sarah McLachlan letter Stephen Harper, Sarah McLachlan letter stop seal hunt
Photo Credit: Kashmera
Disclaimer: The views expressed above are solely those of the author and may
not reflect those of
Care2, Inc., its employees or advertisers.
Recent Comments from Causes
They're NOT pro-life. They're pro-control. Pro-enforced birth. Pro-misogynist. They're pro-punishment…
ty
Mia J.--You are right. Jesus Christ is the original liberal. He ate with tax collectors--even calling…
99 comments
+ add your ownHarper is a true psychopath, on the level of personalities such as Stalin and Ted Bundy. Basically Harper has turned Canada into a serious threat to the future of the entire earth.
thanks for sharing :)
Thanks Sara God Bless you !!!!!!!!!!
Anyone who does animal rescue or speaks up on behalf of animals is a hero in my book. I hope that Sarah is able to make a difference for the seals. This culling of animals is despicable and must be stopped now.
Sarah you are my hero!
US government also has some ahole policies regarding senseless murder of animals (anti-wolf sentiment, bear hunts, etc.) which I hope will change in the near future.
Harper and his idiot lacky Keith Ashfield have their days numbered by basically telling the Canadian people to "f" themselves. Ingratiating! Would hate to hear their children got turned into pelts!
STOP KILLING STOP YOUR GREED....
MISTER HARPER.....WE SEE YOUR INDIFFERENCE TO CANADIAN PEOPLE,
Good luck Sarah. There are just no more morals in this world. I applaud you for trying though.
Sara McLachlan also has a video about greyhound racing and founded Lilith Fair which is a celebration for women. She is awesome. Thanks.
Yes, Tracy P I totally agree with you. There is no reason for Canada to continue this brutal hunt. Shame on you Diane C N for criticizing the comments. Sealers continue to disgust me and they could do something else to make money, how do they sleep at night?
Hooray Tracy P! Well said and I agree. Humans are sadistic, nasty creatures who do things for their own personal gain without regard to the consequences of their actions. They would and could do so much more if they actually used the seals as a tourist attraction, which in the long run would make much more money for them. There would be income for lodging, food, tour boats, tour operators, etc. Such short sightedness is what will destory this planet. We cannot continue to slaughter wildlife or destroy the earth for personal gain or we will be living in a pile of destruction.
Way to go Sarah!!!
login to add your comment
use your care2 login
add your comment