Originally Published: 2009-05-31

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According to Fink, the future of this industry does not seem promising either: “In my opinion, this seems like the right time to put an end to seal hunting, and to re-buy the licenses of seal hunters, as well as help them find other jobs. This would surely be a better and more effective use of funds.”
But the question still remains: why hasn’t Ottawa still not prohibited seal hunting considering the many economical and political strains it has imposed on Canada? “The only reason Canada has continued to support seal hunting is for political reasons,” says Fink. “Realistically, no political party wants to jeopardize its chances of gaining the support of the seven seats that Newfoundland has in Parliament. It’s for this reason that parties have just tried to go along with the interests of politicians and citizens of that province. And it is this reality that gives light to the statement that Ottawa is being held captive of Newfoundland’s interests. We know that the majority of Canadians are against seal hunting because it is both inhumane and economically disadvantageous. Canada’s position is based on pure politics.”
However, it hasn’t been all smooth sailing for Ottawa. A few months ago, the Canadian Olympic Committee refused to support Ottawa’s proposal to have athletes wear an official Vancouver 2010 article of clothing, made from sealskin.
“The world will have its eyes on Canada and this will surely help our cause, since it will help to put more pressure on the government. Now, even Europe has approved this ban, and Ottawa has the chance to get out of the situation in which it currently finds itself – it has the ability to abandon this industry for a reasonable purpose.”
For Fink, this is an occasion for “Canada to regain its once highly acclaimed reputation as being a country that is respectful of rights, reason and morality.”

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