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Fisheries committee Good evening. On behalf of Marineland I will focus on three issues of concern, for the committee's consideration. In its present form, this bill violates the Charter of Rights and is unconstitutional. First, Bill S-203 does not provide for a proclamation date. It becomes law
March 18th, 2019Committee meeting
Andrew Burns
Fisheries committee I'm sorry.
March 18th, 2019Committee meeting
Andrew Burns
Fisheries committee Yes, I was.
March 18th, 2019Committee meeting
Andrew Burns
Fisheries committee With respect, as I stated, I believe he misunderstood the argument we were making. He referred to the sub 3 section, when we were referring to the sub 2 section. I could also state —
March 18th, 2019Committee meeting
Andrew Burns
Fisheries committee This opinion is not just mine. The opinion has been reviewed by the former director of criminal prosecutions for the Province of Ontario, the top Crown for the Province of Ontario, who agrees with our view.
March 18th, 2019Committee meeting
Andrew Burns
Fisheries committee Easily.
March 18th, 2019Committee meeting
Andrew Burns
Fisheries committee Under the act, there's a requirement to cease breeding based on the scientific information we have. In order to separate such a large group of whales, which is extremely stressful, it will take a long period of time, particularly in the context of existing pregnancies. It could i
March 18th, 2019Committee meeting
Andrew Burns
Fisheries committee It's 16 months, so we have whales that are currently pregnant and will give birth this year. We have whales that will give birth in 2020. While we separate, we may have some tail-end animals that become pregnant. It's very difficult to determine when they have become pregnant.
March 18th, 2019Committee meeting
Andrew Burns
Fisheries committee Years, many years.
March 18th, 2019Committee meeting
Andrew Burns
Fisheries committee It'll cause a huge amount of stress. This is not moving two or three or four whales; this is more than 50 whales. This is a very complex process that will require a great deal of oversight and a great deal of care. Whales, when they are separated, display a great deal of stress,
March 18th, 2019Committee meeting
Andrew Burns
Fisheries committee Yes. Many of the concerns raised by this bill appear to be around issues that are quite old. Marineland is one of the most heavily inspected and regulated institutions in the world. Not a single charge has been laid related to any of these issues raised by Ms. Visser or others—no
March 18th, 2019Committee meeting
Andrew Burns
Fisheries committee Unfortunately it does not alleviate the specific concern that was raised in the Senate prior to these amendments that you're now considering. There was an opportunity for the Senate to address this specific issue two years ago, and it did not do it. It is now in the hands of the
March 18th, 2019Committee meeting
Andrew Burns
Fisheries committee This is something we have considered carefully. As I said, we've obtained the advice of the former chief Crown for the Province of Ontario, the former director of criminal prosecution for Ontario, and what I have expressed he is in accord with. This is a situation we face as a pr
March 18th, 2019Committee meeting
Andrew Burns
Fisheries committee Well, first of all there isn't indiscriminate breeding. Secondly, there is a well-developed veterinary program. There are three veterinarians who review the condition, health and care of the animals every single day. There are a dozen veterinary specialists who are available to p
March 18th, 2019Committee meeting
Andrew Burns
Fisheries committee Regarding capacity, Marineland has the largest pools housing whales in the world; we are aware of capacity issues. Those scientists, those veterinarians, advise the animal care committee, and their advice regarding whether or not they have appropriate space is adhered to strictly
March 18th, 2019Committee meeting
Andrew Burns