Hon. Céline Hervieux-Payette:

Honourable senators, my question is for the Leader of the Government in the Senate. Today, the European Parliament voted for a complete boycott of seal products, with one small exception in the case of products from traditional hunting and not-for-profit purposes.

Canada is facing a very powerful vegetarian lobby whose stated objective is to force our society to adopt a way of life that totally excludes the consumption of animal products. Because they did not have a credible political alternative, and because they are in the middle of an election campaign, our colleagues in the European Parliament had no option but to yield to the pressures of this lobby. This lobby has just won its first victory and others could follow if we do not appreciate the danger that is threatening us.

Indeed, the PETA organization is resorting to the same techniques as those now successfully used by the seal lobby to launch an anti-fishing campaign in the United States. Meanwhile, in Europe, some groups are beginning to protest the consumption of eggs.

Could the Leader of the Government tell us if the government is going to take those measures that have been lacking so much over the past three years regarding the seal hunt, in order to fight the vegetarian lobby and its new campaigns, which are already threatening other areas of our economy?


Please click here to read the full text of the Senator's question

Recent Statements from Liberal Senators