I find it disgusting that my tax dollars are being used to fund all expense paid trips for International journalists, in the hopes they will put a positive spin on this year's seal hunt. The International community knows the truth and they're turning their backs on us, as is evident with the Canadian seafood and tourism boycotts and the bans on seal product importations (USA, Belgium, Italy, Croatia, Netherlands, Mexico, and the EU within a matter of time).
Every year, more Canadians oppose the commercial seal hunt and Atlantic Canadians are more vocal than ever www.antisealingcoalition.ca. Seals should not be killed whether they have white coats or grey coats. The hunt is cruel whether the seals are shot or clubbed - killing healthy animals is NEVER humane.
The government should be spending money on license buy-backs, retraining/retirement programs, or eco-tourism on the NFLD ice floes. The government ought to stop subsidizing a hunt that stains the reputation of an otherwise great country. Shame on the government for attempting to buy the opinions of International journalists. If the government wants journalists to report truthfully on the seal hunt, they should send them to the ice floes where they would witness the largest slaughter of marine mammals in the world.
Jennifer SurretteTimberlea, Nova Scotia An Atlantic Canadian against the seal hunt!902-876-0926
By Jennifer Surrette
