OTTAWA, ONTARIO – Yesterday, Nova Scotia Conservative MP Scott Armstrong, with the support of Miramichi MP Tilly O’Neill Gordon, introduced Bill C-636 designed to protect Canadian sealers from aggressive anti-sealing protesters.

“Radical anti-sealing protesters have become increasingly aggressive in protesting the seal hunt,” said MP Armstrong. “My Bill is about protecting Canadian sealers from the most dangerous of these groups and ensuring they are able to conduct the harvest safely”.

“In 2008 a group of radical anti-sealing protesters attempted to disrupt the hunt by steering a vessel towards sealers,” said Armstrong. “This is an incredibly dangerous activity as the harvest is conducted on ice floes which can break-up under the feet of sealers”. 

“Our Government will continue countering the efforts of radical anti-sealing protesters,” said MP O’Neill Gordon. “In disrupting the hunt, professional protesters threaten an important source of income for thousands of families in rural and coastal communities.”

Bill C-636 amends the Marine Mammal Regulations to increase the distance non-sanctioned protesters can get to the seal hunt.  It does not change the current observer permit process, whereby peaceful observers and members of the media can apply for permits to observe the harvest from a closer distance.

“The Canadian seal hunt is amongst the best managed in the world,” added Armstrong. “Increasing the distance for non-sanctioned protestors will further ensure that Canadian sealers are able to conduct their legitimate economic activities in a safe and sustainable manner.”

The Bill increases the distance, from a half nautical mile to a full nautical mile, for non-sanctioned protestors or those without or denied an observer permit.