Could Canada’s Ban on Whales as Entertainment Happen in U.S.? 

Following passage of Bill S-203: the Ending the Captivity of Whales and Dolphins Act in Canada in 2019, the proposed Jane Goodall Bill adds further protections to the earlier bill, phases out elephant captivity, and includes new legal protections for captive big cats, bears, wolves, seals, sea lions, walruses, certain monkeys, and dangerous reptiles, such as crocodiles and giant pythons.
Canada is now a world leader in strong legislation in the protection of captive whales and dolphins as well as many other kinds of animals.
Could anything similar to these bills be enacted in the United States? If not, what makes legislation like this possible in its neighbor to the north?
In this webinar three experts discuss how the “Ending the Captivity of Whales & Dolphins” was accomplished, how the Jane Goodall Act is faring as it works its way through Parliament, what other legal gains are still needed, and whether legislation of this caliber could happen in the United States.
Host: Dr. Lori Marino, Founder & President of the Whale Sanctuary Project.
Guests:
Dr. Naomi Rose is the marine mammal scientist for the Animal Welfare Institute in Washington, DC, where she works on several campaigns and coalitions addressing problems associated with cetacean live capture, trade and captivity, both in the U.S. and abroad.
Marty McKendry is a lawyer and parliamentary advisor to Senators Pierre Dalphond and Marty Klyne, the sponsor of the Jane Goodall Act. He previously worked with the Hon. Murray Sinclair to draft and introduce the original version of the bill and with the Hon. Wilfred Moore to draft and advance the Ending the Captivity of Whales and Dolphins Act.
Camille Labchuk, Executive Director, Animal Justice Canada, is one of Canada’s leading animal rights lawyers. Her work includes documenting the commercial seal kill on Canada’s East Coast, exposing cruelty in farming, protecting the free speech rights of animal advocates, and campaigns against trophy hunting, circuses, zoos, aquariums, shark finning, puppy mills, and more.
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