Jun17
Canada's Seal Slaughter Season Comes to an End
Posted at 12:00 PM | Permalink
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Outcry against the seal slaughter is echoing around the globe. The European Union and the U.S. have banned seal products, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed a resolution calling for an immediate end to the slaughter, and world leaders have spoken out against the massacre. Demonstrations from London to Hamburg and Los Angeles to Toronto have made headlines, and people all over the world have sent a strong, united message that the seal bloodbath must end.
It's clear that the Canadian seal slaughter is quickly losing favor and support: This year, about three-fourths of the seals who were expected to be bludgeoned or shot to death were spared. But we still need your help to make sure that Canada doesn't think the protests will end just because the killing has slowed.
One dead seal is still too many, so we've revved up our campaign to get the Vancouver Olympic Organizing Committee to use its clout to stop the seal slaughter. Check out our new Web site OlympicShame2010.com and give us a hand, won't you?
Posted by Shawna Flavell
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Most Canadians are fed up with Stephen Harper and the Conservative party. They have been told where Canadian citizens stand on many issues such as the seal slaughter, but they refuse to listen. The sad part is that if every Canadian who was eligible to vote in the last federal election had gone to the polls, the Conservatives would not have gotten in. The next election, Canadians need to elect a party that WILL listen.
Posted by: pam | June 17, 2009 01:11 PM
To Pam: Thank you! Well said!
Just want you to know that Texas is behind you all the way! We love and support you and the Beautiful Seals of Canada! We will not stop fighting for what is right!
Posted by: Shari | June 17, 2009 03:19 PM
As a Canadian I am so fed up with our politicians. I know deep down some politicians would love to end the seal slaughter but no one has the balls to face the wrath of Newfoundland and lose the 8 seats in parliament from this province. We just need to let politicians know that by allowing the seal hunt to continue, they will lose even more support. I have made sure my MP knows exactly how I feel and that, unless he takes a stand against this atrocity, he will NOT have my family's votes.
Posted by: NT | June 17, 2009 07:24 PM
Humans are the demons of the world and animals are the tortured souls. Before the Biblical fall of man humans peacefully coexisted with all other creatures and there was no bloodshed.
Posted by: Brien Comerford | June 17, 2009 09:15 PM
I's an ugly,disgusting,shameful,scandalous manner of canada which I once think that it's a civilized country, but it's proven that Canada is not but a cruel capitalisme one. God dam Canada!!!!!
from people in third world country
Posted by: kwanchai | June 17, 2009 10:10 PM
PEOPLE WITHOUT A CONCSCIENCE
Posted by: DAVID WAXMAN | June 18, 2009 07:37 AM
Captain Paul Watson makes a commentary (excellent and entertaining as always) on the lunacy of the seal hunt and the bizarre behaviour of certain Canadian politicos:
http://www.seashepherd.org/news-and-media/editorial-090528-1.html
Posted by: Mike Quinoa | June 18, 2009 10:57 PM
Have wanted to visit Canada for the past 30 years, but it's on the list of countries I won't go to (places like Spain, China) because of the seal slaughter. Really hope this appalling sadism ends soon; it's a disgrace to an otherwise civilised country.
Posted by: Steven Davidson | June 19, 2009 06:26 AM
@kwanchai, DAVID WAXMAN, Steven Davidson...
Did you not read the post? I understand there is a lot of colourful bias, but the hunt is at an end. And we have a senator who is currently collecting signatures to end it for good.
@Steven specifically, that's like saying I won't visit the USA because of puppy mills and exotic animal trade, poor factory farming, the birthplace of McDonalds... etc etc etc.
Do a bit of research, ok?
Posted by: Jaime | June 19, 2009 10:58 AM
Canada isn't perfect when it comes to animal rights, no country is. PM Stephen Harper has refused to listen to Canadians on a number of subjects, not just the seal hunt. Our country is so fed up with him that there is a very good chance he will no longer be in office after the next election.
On a side note, when will PETA start going after Sarah Palin for her support of the wolf slaughter happening in Alaska? This woman obviously has no conscience.
Posted by: pam | June 22, 2009 01:28 PM
I want to hit those people over the head and drag them across the ice! i cant belive people dont have hearts! unforgiveable! im so dissapointed in humanity. its a disgrace.
Posted by: Emily | June 22, 2009 02:13 PM
@ kwanchai and steven davidson:
i'm from ottawa, the capital and i've been all around canada with my occupation....not once have i heard support for the seal hunt, not to mention it is a small portion of people who choose to do this every year
it is blatantly ignorant to make generalizations about all canadians as a people and as a country based on one isolated occurrence that the majority of canadians don't identify with or support...this is just as ignorant as truly believing that all americans are power hungry, homophobic, and islamophobic hicks (which i of course do not believe)
so please, don't choose not to visit canada just based on the seal hunt...it is one of the most diverse and beautiful countries in the world
Posted by: dan | June 24, 2009 12:11 PM
@kwanchai Steven and the other bloke WAXMAN...
Jaime dan and pam do have a good point. I could rattle off a dozen reasons not to visit America, one or two of my mates have even said to me they will not go there any time in their lives...and one of them also said he is waiting patiently for the seal massacre to end...so he can visit Canada...and maybe stay awhile.
People, it is important to look at the positives in this...many seals were saved this year, I think the end is nigh.
Pam,
So therein lies the problem, silly me, I thought Canadians were willing voters...how many actually turned out for the last election? Perhaps compulsory voting is needed in this case. Failing that, a ballot question would work just as well.
Praying it will end soon.
Posted by: Tim Smith | June 25, 2009 05:58 AM
How can you look into those little seals eyes--- then club it to death?? UUUGGGHHHH it's sick. TEXAS supports the end!!!
Oh and Jamie- what about palins wolf hunting?? If you could please e-mail me links to this info would be great
texasgirl0021@gmail.com
Posted by: Ariel | June 25, 2009 11:57 PM
@Ariel
Sarah Palin's wolf hunting is another great example of the animal wrongdoings of the USA. However my point was that despite these wrongs, I will not generalize Americans and say that I would never visit the USA because of it. Animal cruelty happens all over the world, but you cannot blame the whole country.
Example: Canada. I do not know another Canadian that supports the seal hunt. End of story. Where I live is as far from the seal hunt as you can get, but there are still people rallying here.
I would be happy to send you a few links to some of the sources I have found. ^_^ Namely the petition and the works of Senator Mac Harb. Another is sort of an info page, facts and figures. Hope you like it, and it's good to hear people supporting an end to the seal hunt, without bringing Canada as a whole down.
Posted by: Jaime | June 26, 2009 06:14 PM
As someone on here from Canada said "I hate the fact that people believe that Canadians support the seal hunt (Linda, Brad, WAXMAN, kwanchai) and the associated hatred they are displaying is somewhat disturbing. It's not just on this website, thousands of comment pages on newspaper sites covering the massacre, even on petitions calling for it's end, have a significant number of people saying "most Canadians support the slaughter" Another one "Is the education system so remedial in Canada that it's citizens need a kick up the ass to figure out humane behavior, get with the program degenerates and quit acting like a pack of scumbags." I can only hope that the end of the massacre will signal the end of this attitude as well.
Posted by: Neil Warne | June 28, 2009 12:55 AM
I wonder if all these comments really matter for those who are committing these insane acts.
I would love to see the same treatment given to these uncivilized people..F@!#$ BA#!@$#$
Posted by: Sylvester | August 31, 2009 06:34 AM
As an outraged Canadian I am totally against this and all violence against animals. As others have also stated I do not nor have ever I met anyone who does support the seal hunts!
I am also fed up with the Government et al' for allowing this archaic brutality to embarrass all Canadians.
Don't let the simple minded views of a few idiots to reflect the opinions of all Canadians.
I too have emailed, Tweeted, Blogged, Signed Petitions and everything possible I can think of to help do my part to help stop this stupidity.
There is no reason for it and nothing it brings to our nation but humiliation, embarrassment and utter disgust at the thought that this still happens here.
I am also against all the animal cruelty that happens in the USA and also these Chinese Fur Farms and all like events through out the world, yet I don't let these events reflect the feelings and opinion of the entire nation.
Additionally, do you think the Pharmaceutical Industry is any kinder in their actions on innocent animals? Next time you take prescription drugs just think for a second how many animals suffered there. Eg. Bayer (makers of aspirin) also did animal testing and provided poisonous gases for chemical warfare (not to mention chemicals used in the gas chambers of Auschwitz and other extermination camps).
We all have to do our part to be as relentless in our efforts to stop this as the people doing it.
Posted by: Kira | October 20, 2009 09:35 PM
I THOUGHT WE WERE SUPPOSE TO BE A PEACEKEEPING COUNTRY, DAMNIT! Whoever kills the seals and calls themselves Canadians need to be shot.
Posted by: jessica | October 23, 2009 07:04 AM
Save the seals!
Posted by: Connor N. | November 15, 2009 04:58 PM
I am a Canadian and proud of my country. I don’t support the seal slaughter and never have, but to have a resident of the US comment on our issues is absolutely out of line. This is a country that has simultaneously wiped out populations of Black Panthers, Bald eagles (their national bird) and grizzly bears through hunting, pollution and chemical use and the population and government sat back and did nothing.
Currently the US is taking wolves from Canada and attempting to repopulate their own land due to allowing over hunting of these animals.
So before any one from the US starts spouting off about our treatment of animals, look in your own damn back yard.
Posted by: Tom Dorsy | December 2, 2009 05:51 PM
Sadly, the commercial killing of animals is a GLOBAL problem. Generalizing Canada as a country that supports the killing of seals, is a cruel prejudice. Only a MINORITY of the country's population would allow this action, especially if the entire country were to place it to a vote.
Blame the guilty minority: governments of countries with their lack of action, general ignorance and the greedy, bored 'elite' that fund many unsavory activities for the consumption of the general public.
And, it's not just seals that are in danger. Entire ecosystems are being destroyed and species of animals are disappearing from our planet forever. Sharks, for example, are hunted mercilessly to extinction by 'poor farmers in third world countries'.
A note to gourmet food lovers: do you know how foie gras is made?
So, please, no more senseless generalizations, people. They sound incredibly ignorant and uneducated assumptions.
The commercial killing of animals is a GLOBAL problem. Let's all work together NOW, to insure that there will still be a wonderful environment left to enjoy for future generations to come.
Posted by: Akemineo | December 2, 2009 07:17 PM
Look how far this killing has come: I'm from Brazil, live in São Paulo, and I'm surprised on how ignorants the politicians from Canada are. Here in South America we criticise a lot our politics, but now we know that North America isn't the paradise that we thought it was.
Even if these people who kill the seals weren't be punished, I think they will certainly die with this guilt in the conscience. Sorry for the gramatical mistakes, but I've written this in a hurry...
Posted by: Leonardo Previti | December 11, 2009 07:27 AM
I agree with the outraged as well as the citizens that listen to the outrage that is hurled at them, personally.
Animal cruelty is EVERYWHERE. It is no certain country, no specific person. It is comprised of the age-old "hunters" that have walked this earth since formation.
I am outraged. Not at the Canadian people as a whole. I am outraged that this is a hereditary skill passed down from generation to generation. Hunting, killing innocent animals.
No, Canada, you are not alone. I live in Atlanta, GA. Hunters are bred in the US like those puppy mills you mention, or the deer hunters, etc.
I understand that God created some animals to be taken as food. But let it be humane. If an animal is killed for food, then by all means, use its fur afterward.
But to bludgeon an animal, not only seals, is cruel. To be harmed for the fur only is unjust.
We should ALL take a stand in our respective countries and offer support for the others. We live on this planet together. One voice goes unheard. Many voices become a symphony to all.
I support all Canadians in their quest to stop this, and I hope they support me in my quest to stop the animal cruelty that occurs in the US on a daily basis. And around the globe.
Posted by: Lititia Yanez | January 15, 2010 06:59 AM
As a non Newfoundlander, who understands the relationship between the seal fishery and culture. I support this fishery and have an issue with groups that directly attact a particular group of people and used incorrect information for the purpose of raising funds.
Posted by: dan murphy | January 15, 2010 07:32 PM
Seal slaughtering is really brutal. I watched a video of it and am really shocked. Those baby seals are smashed brutally! and the people who did it seems like they have no guilt at all! it's really a shame. What have those baby seals done wrong huh??!
Posted by: Gita | January 18, 2010 05:14 AM
I think i should bring about a very important point but i probably won't get posted because this is an extremely biased forum. The seal hunt is actually necessary to keep the canadian economy. Also, it's needed to control the seal population. Since 1970 the population of Harp seals has tripled in Canada and there is now over 5.5 million of them. Also contrary to belief it is done in a humane manner.
Posted by: Patrick Williams | January 27, 2010 01:17 PM
How could anybody say that it is 'humane'? It is disgusting and cruel.
Besides, seals don't damage the environment in any way, so increased numbers aren't bad. There are far better and less cruel ways to benefit the economy. I am sick and tired of our fascist government.
Posted by: Sophie the Vegetarian | February 1, 2010 02:41 PM