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February 19th, 2019

NDP MP Tables Bill to Ban Shark Fin Importation

OTTAWA – Today, Fin Donnelly, NDP Member of Parliament for Port-Moody-Coquitlam, tabled Bill S-238, the Ban on Shark Fin Importation Act, which must be passed by the House of Commons by the end of the session in order to receive Royal Assent.

“There is a crisis in oceans around the world with the rapid decline of sharks being killed for their fins. Since 2011, five Private Members Bills have been introduced that would ban the trade of shark fins; in that time, nearly one billion sharks have been butchered and killed for their fins,” said Donnelly. “The health of sharks is critical to the health of our marine ecosystems. Canadians expect legislators to protect these apex predators, that’s why I’m happy to sponsor this bill.”

The bill, introduced by Senator Michael MacDonald, would prohibit the import and export of shark fins into and out of Canada. McDonald’s bill was based on Donnelly’s Private Member’s bill which was narrowly defeated, by five votes, in the House of Commons in 2013. At the time, Donnelly’s bill had support from the NDP and Liberal caucuses. He hopes the Liberals, who now account for a majority in the House of Commons, will support the bill again.

“With a Federal election expected October 21 it is imperative S-238 gets through debate, review by the Fisheries and Oceans standing committee, third reading and Royal Assent before the election is called,” added Donnelly. “Sharks and the ocean ecosystems that depend on them cannot wait for another election. We must pass this bill and end this destructive practise once and for all.”