A letter to Stephen Harper

The Right Honourable Stephen Harper
Office of the Prime Minister
80 Wellington Street
Ottawa, ON K1A 0A2


Dear Prime Minister Harper:

I am writing to express my condemnation of the commercial seal hunt.

It was apparent that the Liberal Government held no regard for the welfare, or the very survival of the harp and hooded seals species, but I am hoping that the Conservatives will have a different approach.

I was horrified to learn of the 2001 report produced by an international team of veterinarians, which concludes that up to 42% of seals are skinned alive. It is deplorable that the Department of Fisheries and Oceans received this report, and still has refused to address the problem. Furthermore, I am aware that more than 660 thoroughly documented violations of the Canadian Criminal Code and Marine Mammal Regulations, including the skinning of live seals, have been submitted to the DFO - and that they have refused to lay a single charge in response.

It is absolutely unacceptable that the federal government of Canada has so deliberately and recklessly encouraged the decimation of a wildlife population that is beloved by people all over the world.

Recent polling clearly shows that close to 80% of Americans and Europeans oppose the seal hunt, with a substantial number willing to boycott Canadian products and tourism as a result. Certainly, your recent actions will guarantee a severe international backlash.

I demand that you act according to the will of the majority of Canadian people, 85% of whom believe that seals under a year of age should be protected from all hunting. End this cruel and unsustainable hunt for harp and hooded seals permanently.

Sincerely,
Kate Wallace