To the editor:
Re: “Vision park board commissioners call for end of whale captivity at Vancouver Aquarium,” April 4.
Many thanks to Sandra Thomas for a comprehensive news article on the two park board commissioners calling for an end to whale captivity in Stanley Park.
Although happy to hear the news, No Whales In Captivity members remain skeptical, since old hats like us have heard such claims many times before, especially from candidates seeking election or reelection to the park board. Once elected, those calls to end whale captivity abruptly seem to just stop.
Although Ms. Thomas wrote a comprehensive article, the most important question remains unanswered.
Will commissioner Blyth propose a motion — and will commissioner Barnes second the motion — to hold a whale referendum during the next municipal elections to ask Vancouverites if we want to stop the importation of more whales and dolphins into Stanley Park in order to force a phase out of all captive cetacean exhibits?
We must put politicians’ feet to the fire because unless these brave commissioners take the next step and actually propose the motion to hold a whale referendum, this feel-good article is no more than political hot air in an election year.
Annelise Sorg, President,
No Whales In Captivity
