(OTTAWA) – This morning in the Senate's Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans, senators voted to send Bill S-203, an act ending the captivity of whales and dolphins, back to the upper chamber for third reading. Ms. May has committed to sponsoring Bill S-203 when it reaches the House of Commons.

The bill was passed through committee with amendments from the bill's sponsor, Independent Senator Murray Sinclair.

“I congratulate Senator Sinclair and his colleagues who worked against vigorous opposition to get this important bill passed at the committee stage,” said Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada (MP, Saanich-Gulf Islands). “The time has come to ban the holding of whales and dolphins in captivity. It is an atrocious practice that has been accepted in our society for far too long. I look forward to sponsoring Bill S-203 when it reaches the House of Commons.

“We are all grateful to retired Nova Scotia Senator Willie Moore, who initially introduced this bill and fought so hard to see it passed. With this hurdle removed, we hope to see it passed in the Senate and come to the House,” Ms. May said.

Last month, Ms. May filed a complaint with the federal lobbying commissioner to ask for an investigation into possible breaches of the Lobbying Act by Marineland and the Vancouver Aquarium.

- 30 -

For additional information or to arrange an interview, contact:

Dan Palmer

Press Secretary | Attaché de presse

dan.palmer@greenparty.ca

m: (613) 614-4916