The last park board meeting prior to a new board being sworn in Dec. 1 could be one of the most interesting of the entire 2011-2014 term.
Outgoing Vision Vancouver commissioner Sarah Blyth, who this weekend is seeking the NDP nomination for Vancouver Quadra for the 2015 federal election, told the Courier she is determined to have the board vote on a controversial bylaw that would see a cetacean breeding ban implemented at the Vancouver Aquarium.
“The idea for the bylaw has already been approved unanimously,” said Blyth. “It was just the wording that was sent back to staff. There is no reason we can’t vote on the motion Monday night.”
In July, the five Vision Vancouver commissioners on park board voted unanimously to ban the breeding of whales and dolphins at the aquarium and create an oversight committee comprised of animal welfare experts to ensure the safety and well-being of cetaceans. That move followed public comments against keeping whales and dolphins in captivity at the aquarium by Blyth and Vision commissioner Constance Barnes and suggestions the practice should be phased out.
Mayor Gregor Robertson supported the commissioners' views. At the time the vote was taken, NPA commissioner John Coupar recused himself from the hearings because of business interests he had with the aquarium, but which have since ceased. Melissa De Genova was away on holiday and unavailable to vote. Just days later NPA mayoral candidate Kirk LaPointe, who did not win the seat in the Nov. 15 civic election, issued a statement saying he supports the aquarium’s policies on cetaceans.
At the time, aquarium president and CEO John Nightingale told the Courier while the facility has two female belugas and two female Pacific white-sided dolphins, it also has two harbour porpoises — one male and one female named Jack and Daisy, which were rescued one year apart as babies. Nightingale said at the time it would be almost impossible to stop the pair from breeding and separating them could cause the pair distress. The aquarium has since applied for a judicial review of the park board’s actions, which it says threatens the long-term viability of the institution.
“We spent a lot of time listening to the public and I feel the ban reflects the views of not only our residents, but also of scientists, [primatologist, ethologist, anthropologist] Jane Goodall, the Vancouver Humane Society and the B.C. SPCA,” said Blyth. “I would like to see this bylaw decided at this meeting.”
De Genova, who was elected to council Nov. 15, said she wasn’t able to vote because the special meeting was called with only five-days’ notice — while the park board was on summer break — and while she was scheduled for vacation.
“I have a question though,” said De Genova. “Why, after being on the park board for six years, did Sarah Blyth wait until now to bring this forward? I just don’t find it genuine or authentic. People know my goal for years has been to get a seniors centre built in Killarney, so why did Sarah Blyth wait until now to bring this forward? Is this the sword she’s going to fall on?”
De Genova said there’s much work to be done before making any decisions that would affect the aquarium. She added it’s not a motion coming before the board Monday night, but rather a report from staff.
“I don’t feel it’s respectful to anyone involved to go forward with this bylaw when there’s a review scheduled for 2015,” said De Genova.
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