It has long been said that in war, truth is the first casualty, and that certainly applies to the highly political "seal war" that currently rages in Canada and Europe.

An illustrative example is provided by Senator Céline Hervieux-Payette’s letter in the March 25 edition of Embassy in which she attempts to demonize organizations that hold views contrary to her own. When opponents use such tactics—as the Liberals and their former leader know only too well—the facts invariably take a beating.

The International Fund for Animal Welfare is, as our name indicates, an animal welfare organization and, to use the senator's word, it is manipulative to suggest otherwise. IFAW is not on a campaign to "force the world to become vegetarian." IFAW is on a campaign to end Canada's commercial seal slaughter.

While the senator may be comfortable using the well-documented and long-standing Canadian government strategy of "play[ing] the Nunavut Inuit card," the fact remains that Inuit are not involved in Canada's commercial seal hunt. And, contrary to her assertion, IFAW is not opposed to subsistence hunting by Inuit or other First Nations' people.

The senator is nonetheless correct in saying that hunting methods have been studied by independent veterinarians. But what she forgets to add is that the Canadian government has largely ignored their recommendations. Even in the case of the WWF-funded veterinary working group—a government favourite—only one of its 11 recommendations from 2005 has been implemented. DFO even admitted in December 2008 that Canada's Marine Mammal Regulations would not qualify for a derogation under the European Union's proposed trade ban in seal products. The minor "tweaks"—DFO's own characterization—to those regulations made earlier this year do not change that conclusion.

Of course, there is moral judgment involved in IFAW's opposition to Canada's commercial seal hunt, just as there are moral judgements expressed throughout the senator's diatribe. If she really thinks that she can refute "point by point" documented statements that Canada's commercial seal hunt is economically insignificant, subsidized by governments, poorly monitored and regulated, and that harp seals are threatened by climate change, then, please, let's have the evidence. Contrary to another of her accusations, IFAW actually does believe the truth is important and it's time that the senator, and others, stopped misrepresenting it.

The real "tree" hiding the forest here is Canadian politics. How else can you explain the ongoing spectacle of our major political parties desperately trying to outdo each other in their misguided enthusiasm for killing seals? But just beneath the surface of this international embarrassment lurks an inconvenient truth. Theirs is not a heroic campaign to defend Canada's commercial seal hunt or the "livelihood" of East coast sealers. It is a political competition for a few seats in Atlantic Canada.

And the only folks who really make a decent living supporting the seal hunt are politicians from Atlantic Canada. That's why East coast ministers, MPs and senators from all four political parties in Parliament are far more fanatical about killing seals than are most sealers themselves.

The time has come for our political parties to stop misrepresenting verifiable facts, stop misusing taxpayer dollars, and stop wreaking havoc on seals and the marine environment. The time has come for our MPs and senators to show some responsibility and leadership, and begin representing the majority of Canadians who oppose Canada's commercial seal slaughter. The time has come for investment in viable, full-time employment opportunities appropriate for the 21^st Century. That's what those still involved in Canada's commercial seal hunt really need and deserve.

David Lavigne is the International Fund for Animal Welfare's science adviser. This piece ran in the April 15, 2009 online version of Embassy Magazine.

Comments

[marlene Vandyke]

was shocked to learn
Hundreds of thousands of Canadian harp seals—almost all of them only a few months old—are slated to be viciously slaughtered for their fur. They will be clubbed over the head and impaled with metal hooks. Some will have their skin mercilessly ripped off their bodies while they are still conscious, and all of this terrible cruelty happens just to obtain something that no one wants or needs.

Seals are truly helpless. Lying on the ice, they are unable to flee from their attackers. Their mothers can only watch as their babies are slaughtered.

All eyes are on Canada as it prepares to host the 2010 Winter Olympics. Please help end the seal slaughter immediately so that the reputation of the Vancouver Olympic Games won't be tarnished.

Canada Please please stop !!!