We are deeply honored by the speech by Senator Patricia Bovey in the Senate of Canada paying tribute to the work of the Whale Sanctuary Project.
Here is the video, along with the text of her remarks, which we greatly appreciate.
Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Senators, I rise to pay tribute to Dr. Lori Marino and the Whale Sanctuary Project, who announced on February 25th, 2020, that a site has been chosen for the first seaside sanctuary in North America for whales being retired from entertainment parks.
I would like to congratulate the community of Port Hilford and the province of Nova Scotia for being selected as the ideal place for this sanctuary after an exhaustive search involving hundreds of locations. The community is excited and honored to have been chosen, and has support coming from the Nova Scotia government as well.
This sanctuary will house belugas and teach a positive message to us all about whales and the relationship we have with them, as well as the respect we owe them as intelligent, emotionally sensitive and socially complex animals.
As one who has lived in two provinces where there are oceans and whales, I would like to note that the genesis for this tremendous achievement began here in this chamber with the introduction of Bill S-203 by our former colleague Senator Wilfred Moore and the subsequent sponsorship of Senator Murray Sinclair, which passed in the other place last year. I would like to thank all those senators who supported this legislation and Canadians across this country who refused to take no for an answer when it comes to the captivity of these majestic animals.
I look forward to the day when we see the first whale find its new home in the sea and for furthering our more respectful relationship with our environment in the years to come.
Thank you. Merci beaucoup.