OTTAWA — After a tortuous process that spanned more than three years, a bill to ban whale and dolphin captivity in Canada is set to become law.
Bill S-203, which will also outlaw captive breeding and the import or export of whales, their sperm or embryos, was passed in the House of Commons Monday morning.
“Today’s a really good day for animals in Canada,” Green Party leader Elizabeth May told reporters at a press conference in Ottawa, saying she was “relieved, gratified and appreciative” the bill had passed.
Known as the “Free Willy” bill, S-203 was tabled by former senator Wilfred Moore in December 2015 and later sponsored by May in the House of Commons. It has the support of a number of animal rights groups, but faced heavy opposition from Conservative senators and barely made it through a House committee intact.
Moore, who was present at Monday’s press conference, said pressure from Canadians who submitted thousands of emails and petitions helped push the bill through Parliament. “It’s kind of a combination of relief and joy here,” he said. “Canada is better for this.” Moore said he had been inspired to table the bill after watching the 2013 documentary Blackfish, which tells the story of Tilikum, a captive killer whale.
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