Senate passes bill that will ban captivity and breeding of whales and dolphins

Canada will soon ban the captivity and breeding of whales and dolphins, after a bill cleared the senate earlier this week.

There is already a law in Ontario banning the acquisition and breeding of orcas, but this new federal law includes other aquatic mammals like dolphins.

Marineland responded to the Senate decision, issuing a statement that reads:

“Bill S-203 was not supported by the relevant ministries or the credible scientific community. Sadly, it impairs legitimate scientific and research programs and is explicitly targeted to close Marineland.”

“The bill and debate around it has been highly emotional, lacking in fact-based or science-based analysis and mired in unnecessary conflict incited by radical animal rights groups from the United States. We trust that a rational science-based review will now prevail.”

The bill is expected to head back to the House of Commons for a final vote before the spring.