tursiops.org - Vancouver Park Board whales in captivity motion defeated. Canada

lauricedeephd writes "A Vancouver Parks Board motion was defeated Monday night regarding holding a plebiscite during the 2011 Vancouver civic election asking the public if they are in favour of ending the containment of cetaceans (marine mammals such as whales, dolphins) in Vancouver parks.

This would have included the phase out of existing cetacean exhibits, which are located on land, leased by the Park Board.

The motion was put forward by Commissioner Stuart Mackinnon:

“WHEREAS at a special board meeting dated November 27, 2006 the Vancouver Park Board passed a motion to review the Parks Control By-Law relating to captive cetaceans in 2015;

AND WHEREAS the residents of Vancouver value the ability to express their views on relevant issues of the day;

AND WHEREAS a plebiscite is a non binding democratic tool to survey the public sentiment;

THEREFORE be it resolved that a plebiscite be held during the 2011 Vancouver civic election asking the public if they are in favour of ending the containment of cetaceans in Vancouver parks, including the phase out of existing cetacean exhibits which are located on land leased by the Park Board.” (Reference: Park Board website)

Nala, Vancouver Aquarium’s youngest beluga whale, born June 7, 2009, died on June 21, 2010 – a death that may have helped to precipitate this motion. The Vancouver Aquarium spoke against the motion. A number of animal rights groups spoke in favour of the motion.

The original motion was brought forward by Commissioner Stuart Mackinnon, Vancouver Board of Parks and Recreation representative for the Green Party of Vancouver. Mackinnon has an impressive professional background including Special Education teacher at Killarney Secondary School in Vancouver, a Director of the Western Canada Wilderness Committee and past president of the Society Promoting Environmental Conservation (SPEC).

His website is