Fisheries Minister Gail Shea says her resolve to defend Canada's seal hunt is only strengthened by an American protester pushing a tofu pie in her face during an announcement in Ontario Monday.
Shea, a P.E.I. MP, wasn't hurt. She left the podium, cleaned the pie off her face and then returned to carry out her announcement at the Canada Centre for Inland Waters in Burlington, Ont., west of Toronto.
"If this is what it takes to defend the Canadian seal hunt then I'm very proud to do it," Shea said in an one-on-one interview with The Guardian following the incident.
"This actually just strengthens my resolve to defend this industry."
Police have charged a 37-year-old New York City woman with assault.
Emily McCoy was taken into custody immediately after the incident.
The animal-rights group PETA or People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals says it is responsible for the incident.
PETA says in a release it was part of its campaign "to stop the government's ill-advised sanction of the slaughter of seals," and called the pie used a "tofu cream pie."
McCoy is no stranger to police. She's the same woman who was arrested for trespassing after she stood on top of a table at a Charlottetown hotel last October during a meeting of the Fisheries Council of Canada.
She received a fine of $120 for that last October.
The whole incident in Ontario was caught on camera.
Shea began, as she does most events, by thanking those in attendance for coming.
The video then shows a woman walking up to the podium and softly pushing the pie into Shea's face, while saying: "Shame on you Gail Shea ... it is a shame on Canada, it is a shame that she has not denounced this bloody seal hunt."
The bright lights from the television cameras, Shea added, prevented her from seeing the woman coming towards her.
"I could kind of see something was coming in front of the lights, but I couldn't tell what it was until I got it right in the face," Shea said.
"I didn't know what was happening until I actually got the pie in the face."
Shea said it's unfortunate that groups like PETA have to resort to incidents like this to get attention.
"I had a chance to clean off my face and resume my duties. Islanders would expect me to do that," said the grandmother of eight.
Police are now investigating how McCoy managed to slip into the public event with a pie in her possession.
While not injured, Shea said she does consider it assault with a weapon.
It has also crossed her mind that the person could have had something much more dangerous than a pie in her hand.
"You just deal with so many people," said Shea. "You can't know that everybody that we come across is rational.
"But it's part of the job, it's part of the risk you take. You can only have so much security. The public needs to have access to us and we need to have access to the public."
With files by The Canadian Press, Canwest News Service
Pie in face strengthens Shea's resolve on seal hunt
Pie in face strengthens Shea's resolve on seal hunt
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Comments
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- sam
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:42:30
PETA is disgusting. They kill 85% of the animals they save . How? Putting them in a freezer. Look them up.
We don't club baby seals, if you believe that then you are influenced by crazy leftist media easier than you think. -
- Sickening
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:42:12
Yes Gail lets all support the skinning alive and slaughtering of seal pups. Glad you have such high morals standards. Sickening industry. I am surprised Shea wasn't wearing her fur coat to the occasion.
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- crusty
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:41:58
I'm a little crusty over this ordeal . Gail acted very mature and continued to serve her country.Congrats Gail.You are truly a good person.I've got no comment about the seal hunt but if I did I would not put the messafe in a peice of pie,she could at least have offered you a coffee too!I'm sure Gail will laugh this off and it won't take away the focus she has for her job of representing the fishing industry.What did the gal from the US think she was doing?
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- Marie Amelia
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:41:34
Au contraireTout n'est pas bien! The promotion of Prince Edward Island as an active sealing community seriously injures the image of a tranquil island getaway. The constant publicity generated by Ms. Shea and her copains(cronies), firmly relates the seal hunt to Prince Edward Island...Whenever she speaks publicly and proclaims her support for the seal hunt she focuses world attention on P.E.I...and, the Island is dragged into the boue(mud). One cannot ignore the fact that every year the commercial seal hunt takes place off the north shore of P.E.I... In 2006, P.E.I., Cape Breton and Nova Scotia were given 0.57% of the harp seal total allowable catch1,847 seals. In 2005, 22 sealing licenses were issued to P.E.I. fishermen Chasser des phoques(cachets)Between 1996 and 2005, 13,631 harp seals and 1,111 grey seals were slaughtered by fishermen from P.E.I., Cape Breton and Nova Scotia.A sad loss, as grey seal tours were once extremely popular with summer visitors to Prince Edward IslandQuelle honte!
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- SelCan7
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:41:02
Baby harp seals can be legally hunted once they have moulted their white coats, which occurs at about 12 - 15 days of age. However, they are not usually hunted until they reach the beater stage of development at around 25 days old. Twelve to fifteen days is not the definition of an adult seal. Nor is twenty five days. Harp males reach maturity at 7 - 8 years. Harp females reach maturity at 4 - 6 years.
Harp seals from birth to four weeks old are helpless and cannot escape or defend themselves. They are baby seals. A baby seal by any other name is still a baby seal!!!! -
- E.M.G.
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:40:58
Shame, shame on you Ms McCoy and all those people who agree with you. Ms McCoy should focus her attention in Florida where they have alligator hunts, using the hides for belts, purses, shoes etc. I wonder if she would throw a pie in the face of the governor of Florida. Get out of Canada, you are nothing but a terrorist. I hope Canada puts you on the terrorist list and not allow you to ever walk on Canadian soil again. We don't need you here....I am so angry with people like you...... Go back to New York where you belong.
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- Gerry
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:40:58
Kudos to the minister for her courage and a tip of the hat to the hard working people in Atlantic Canada. The seal hunt is an industry just like the beef, pork and poultry industries. Those who risk their lives to feed their families by venturing onto ice floes are head and shoulders above the social leeches who sit on their arses, drinking beer and throwing pies. PETA is comprised of violent social engineers who've enlisted former musicians and overly endowed actresses to shill for their cause. This entire situation speaks to a serious security problem for Canadian cabinet ministers. This specimen should have been drop kicked into the slammer.
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- Head Shaker
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:40:50
Still doesn't answer the question of why, if the Conservatives weren't pulling a stunt, no one notices a known activist sitting in the front row directly in front of the minister with a pie.
or thinks than maybe a known activist would only be carrying a pie to a press conference as a snack.
Say what you want about PETA, but either the conservatives were using PETA as a patsy to make themselves look like vicitms, or they are idiots of a high order. -
- Keith
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:40:47
This terrorist should be banned from entering Canada permanetly.
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- K
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:40:32
Im a member of PETA, and while I dont exactly agree with the pie in the face, I certainly support the reasoning behind it. The seal hunt is wrong. Innocent seals do not deserve to die that way!!
25% - Ohh, not good.
75% - Go PETA, be the voice for helpless animals! -
- covehead
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:39:35
I guess Harper spent so much on his own security ($30 million since 2006), he can't afford protection for his Ministers.
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- Doris
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:38:30
I am very tired of people stating that something is legal (ergo - perfectly fine). Martin Luther King (while in jail)was quoted as saying that everything that Hitler did was legal.
The seal hunt will one day be perceived as the atrocity it is. Let's realize that now and save seals and our souls in the process. -
- B. W.
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:36:26
What a wonderful job PETA did--Shea is an idiot supporting an immoral, unethical and unnecessary industry simply because we have nurtured a generation of people whose only skill is to kill seals and are otherwise unemployable (can you see seal killers retrained to answer phones at a call centre?)
The fact that we're now trying to sell seal products in China where the gov't has no concern for human rights let alone the ethical treatment of animals should speak volumes: can't sell the products in the US; can't sell them in Europe--let's try the place with no standards!
And I think those people who go on about how PETA dsoesn't protest against the killing of cows and chickens, look at their campaign against KFC. And, by the way, they promote vegetarianism as the most healthy and ethically responsible way to live--I can hear the whinging as I type: but I don't like vegetables... -
- Quiet
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:35:54
What about all the cattle slaughtered and butchered while stunned but not dead? And the pigs?
seals are cute, so they get sympathy. Cows and pigs aren't?
How many PETA members and those of you supporting the PETA stand have ever actually been in a slaughter house of any size? Take the time to make a visit and watch what goes on there. It is no different.
Seals eat on average 125lbs of fish a week. multiply that by 5,000,000 seals and then ask yourself why there is no Atlantic Fishery left. -
- Alex
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:35:48
Remarkable restraint against an obvious nutjob. let's hope assault charges are in the future. Nice job on security.
You anti-sealers can go do you know-what. You are still perpetuating the lie of whitecoat seals being hunted, even though you know it's fiction, designed to get funds. The hell with you. -
- John
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:35:20
I believe that Jean Chretien was the most corrupt politician who has ever been a prime minister of Canada, but when he was pied in the face back in 2000, I thought that the person who did it should have received at least 30 days in a jail cell. I really admire Gail Shea's reaction to the assault - now she's going to take an even stronger stance on the seal hunt. Canada should deport this PETA member - after she spends some time in jail. Then she can go back home to NYC, and work on the declining seal population in Manhattan.
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- Tony
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:34:40
Please ensure that this person is returned to the US to stand trial..She will get a fair trial and of course receive a more severe sentence that she would in Ont..Can
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- SG
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:34:32
I am just glad Minister Shea didn't suffer any serious injuries!
If this Group was in Canada they'd only get into the US Once to pull this off this Crap and their pictures would be at every Security Area in the US on Alert!
Canada needs to do the same!
PETA Enthusiast, Emily McCoy of New York City should spend time in jail on her assault charge! Imagine what would happen to a Canadian if they Pied a US Senator or Politician? I don't doubt such an assault would render a few years or more in the US vs. a fine and a Room for the night! This isnt funny, assault is assault regardless if it's a pie, shoe or fist!
How was this lady was able to get a front seat right below the Podium with a pie and remain unnoticed by security? How Shes the same lady who was in Ch'Town previously how was she not recognized? Time to Ramp Up Canadian Security at all Public Events!
For those who seemingly arent informed on Seal Hunting, Baby Seals have not been killed during Seal Hunts for years! PETA should know that given their concern. Yet they still sensationalize this falsehood on their website! (see statement and link below) Our Government should charge them for spreading their Public Propaganda and lies!
Another year has come and gone still our snow-covered neighbor to the north continues to back the annual massacre of baby seals the largest and bloodiest marine-mammal hunt on Earth. Vancouver will be home to the 2010 Olympic Winter Game and we plan to put its shameful hunt there, too, for all the world to scrutinize. ://blog.peta.org/archives/seals/
Canada doesn't need US PETA Protesters attacking Politicians, Citizens or our Olympic Games. Why cant our Canadian Air Traffic and Border Security put such people on our DO NOT FLY LIST and their US Passports on alert? I'm sure if it had been a Canadian committing this offence in the US they'd be on the US Security Alert List Stat!
And Maybe Canada should make plans now to impede PETA's next move at the Olympic Games! -
- Stupid Stupid People
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:34:17
Think about it.
Watch the video.
you really think she sneaked in with a cream pie and sat in the front row, and no one noticed?
Now they have you all riled up. This was a planned stunt, and not by PETA. -
- *PETA
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:34:02
If this woman had tried that on an American politician she would have been clubbed, tasered and sentenced to a lengthy term in the crowbar hotel. Back to New York with you, you squirrely nutbar.
*PETA People Eating Tasty Animals -
- K
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:33:50
Jason Stewart from Halifax, NS writes: The next time PETA is having a rally we should hit them with a pie made of raw hamburger.
You disgust me.
And Jill from PEI ; just because theyre not cute an fluffy anymore, doesnt mean they deserve to die that way, just because youre huge and not cute anymore doesnt mean you deserve to be killed that way, hmm. ;] -
- dubya
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:33:45
PETA =
People
Eating
Tasty
Animals -
- J A
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:33:40
Our Government Should Charge PETA for Spreading Lies and Propaganda via their Public Websites on the Killing of Baby Seals that haven't taken place for years!
//www.peta.org/feat-canadaSealHunt.asp Site Created 1/26/2010
//www.peta.org/about/hottopic005.asp Site Created 1/26/2010
//jezebel.com/5361549/blame-canada Site Created 1/26/2010
(PETA's campaign against the massacre will continue up to and through the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver.)
See for yourself how seals are slaughtered in Canada.
The Statements being made on PETA Websites:
Canadas annual seal hunt is the largest slaughter of marine mammals on Earth. Last year, the world looked on in horror as the Canadian government permitted the slaughter of more than 330,000 harp seals. During the hunt, baby seals are shot or repeatedly clubbed. Sealers bludgeon the animals with clubs and hakapiks (clubs with metal hooks on their ends) and drag the sealswho are still consciousacross the ice floes with boat hooks. Many of these animals are even skinned alive. Hunters toss dead and dying seals into heaps and leave their carcasses to rot on the ice floes because there is no market for seal meat. Veterinarians who have investigated the hunt have found that hunters routinely fail to comply with Canadas animal welfare standards.
It is legal in Canada to kill seal pups when they are about 12 days old. During last years hunt, almost all the seals killed were 3 months old or younger. Many had not yet learned how to swim or eaten their first solid meals. Baby seals are helpless and have no way to escape from the sealers clubs.
The sealing industry claims that it is killing more seals because of an increased demand for fur. Although the U.S. banned the sale of seal fur in 1972, anyone wearing the fur of minks, rabbits, foxes, or any other kind of animal is responsible for creating a demand for fur, which pushes Canadian hunters to club more seals each year. Please tell everyone you know about Canadas cruel slaughter of baby seals and urge them to contact the Canadian government. -
- Adam
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:32:45
Assault with a weapon?! Tofu is gross, but a weapon?
I'm disturbed by her response to this incident, that it has strengthening her resolve to defend the seal hunt. Are our MPs motivated by emotion and vengeance in how they govern? Wow. -
- Mindy
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:32:30
Gail Shea got exactly what she deserved. Everyone in Canada is laughing at her!
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- Response to Marie
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:32:29
Get a grip there girlie.... attitudes like yours can kill ya.
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- Dumb
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:32:23
PETA...you people are all idiots...I'm a big tory and nobody deserves something like this...That time that Brown dummy pied the Prime Minister he should have been taken and back and beaten like a seal
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- Heidi
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:32:19
I used to be a PET supporter. I am not any longer because I do not agree with their methods. I do not understand why Canada does not deport a person like Ms. McCoy. After 2 incidents why do we let her into Canada? Mrs. Shea I can only say I am proud of you the way you handled this situation. People should learn a lot more about the seal industry before they demonstrate and assault eleted Ministers of our Canadian Government. Shame on you Ms. McCcoy.
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- Dick
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:31:55
I can't believe how many people think that killing these seals is a bad thing. Did anybody ever hear of the food chain??? Humans are at the top of the food chain and if seals are going to eat up all the fish that people fish to make their living and eat to feed their families, then the seals have to be killed. Seals are not an endangered species....just like moose and deer and anything else that is hunted in a hunting season. These PETA people know nothing about the seal hunt. Their ignorance can't be tolerated any longer. If they want to protest something....they can do it in their own country...the USA. Miss McCoy is just trying to make herself famous. Little does she know, anybody who has a brain and knows that humans are at the top of the food chain, don't care about the seals that need to be killed. Miss McCoy needs to go up to the Arctic and protest the Inuit's way of life for many decades and see what happens. Maybe if she seen how important the seals meat and skins were to those people, she might realize that the seal hunt is not a big deal.
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- country boy
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:31:28
I find the reaction of some islanders to the pie in the face even more disturbing that the actual act. McCoy is no stranger to this type of ill conceived protest. Anything to grab the headlines. It adds nothing to the debate over the seal hunt. The fact that some islanders actually condone this type of action is disgraceful. It reflects the lack of civility in those who condone this behaviour and their inability to put forward a point of view that would support their position in this debate.
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- Samsquanch
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:30:56
Protest all you want no problem. Soon as you put your hands on someone else , its on. Gail had every right to give that Yank a good old fashioned Island beat down. I would of personally thanked her myself . She had no right to come to another country and pull that stunt . She hopefully will be deported this time .Assault doesnt do anything to help the cause but bring out the fools who support her.Good for you guys .I have nothing against the protest but keep your hands to youself. And go to NFLD , that is where the real action is , or is your cause not that important to yas . Good for you Gail, take no bs .PETA pics their battles instead of being involved in all animal rights .And I was just talkin to Danny Williams .He said PETA was more than welcome to come to NFLD and enjoy the hospitality, just leave your fur coats home.
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- marina
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:30:15
If someone beat her up with a bloody bat against her will...like these hunters do to innocent seals, she may think twice again about defending the seal hut. Maybe next time it shouldn't be a pie.
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- Head Shaker
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:29:37
This was all a stunt to garner sympathy for the conservative party, for something that would have received almost no coverge.
HOW DO YOU SIT IN THE FRONT ROW, DIRECTLY IN FRONT OF THE MINISTER, WITH A PIE AND NO ONE NOTICES?
I don't think Gail is that STUPID. -
- Jill
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:25:57
A pie in the face? That's the best PETA could come up with? I love how American protesters are attacking something they know little about, including the sealing industry.
They don't skin baby seals alive. They wait until they are big, blubbery and not cute anymore. But NATURALLY, you don't see posters of the big ugly seals on posters. You see the cute fluffy ones.- the ones they don't kill.
And what about the families who depend on the sealing industry to survive? NO, DON'T TOUCH THE SCARY, BLUBBERY SEALS- just let the families starve. Who cares. (Sarcasm) -
- Sara
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:25:26
These people from cities getting all worked up about the unethical way some communities make a living off the seal hunt can go to hell. They don't live here. Go back to your high rise condos and keep to that bubble you live in.
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- pathetic
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:25:00
Ms McCoy must have excluded the clause for ethical treatment of others in her mandate.
It's great that she has a cause to believe in but this kind of grandstanding and idiocy only makes her organization look frivalous. Her cause may be just and (who knows) her intentions may be sound, but her actions are juvenile and criminal. My guess is she was the type to pull the fire alarm in junior high, when she didn't like what the cafeteria was serving. Grow up, Ms McCoy.... else, you'll never win against the Hatfields! -
- John
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:24:08
i,m a betting man and i bet she will do nothing about it ! well the tories are doing nothing at all any way , it ma harm the game,s it they do some thing other than stay on holliday,s till it,s all over , so the pie , give the girl a no fly ban, send her home or some thing
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- Hugh
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:23:45
The minister did an excellent job in handling this situation. I commend her conviction and courage. As for the yank, she should be jailed and deported.
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- potvin
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:23:30
these peta people are the real animals. i think cheech and chong had it right when they sang save the whales but shoot the seals .
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- Michael
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:23:18
I wonder if PETA would feel as strongly if it was a slug hunt and not a seal hunt. My guess is that they wouldn't give a hoot about it unless it was cute cuddly and had big brown innocent eyes!
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- TO Anne Streeter QC
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:22:29
You stated:
The seal hunt is an international embarrassment for Canada - the largest wildlife slaughter in the world! It is more than time to get serious!
So if you consider the Seal Hunt a Slaughter what do you call the report below?
I'd call it Hypocrisy at the Highest Level and an International embarassment for PETA and that's being kind!
Did You Know?
From July 1998 through December 2008, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) killed over 21,000 dogs, cats, and other companion animals. That's more than five defenseless creatures every day. PETA has a walk-in freezer to store the dead bodies, and contracts with a Virginia Beach company to cremate them.
Not counting the pets PETA spayed and neutered, the group put to death over 90 percent of the animals it took in during the last five years. And its angel-of-death pattern shows
http://www.petakillsanimals.com/ -
- Where is the SECURITY
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:20:31
The mere fact that this nut's profile is not on the Security's radar is unbelievable!
The ridiculous comments on here should be removed!
Nobody deserves an assault like this.... this NUT should EVER be allowed across our border again.
SHAME on you McCoy and SHAME on the security for not doing their job!!!!!!!!!!! -
- Jillian
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:19:38
Gail Shea is a class act. Not only did she simply clean off her face and return to deliver her speech as planned, she had the guts to reinforce her support for an industry that is vital to many people. Well done.
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- Bob
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:17:24
Wow what a mixed bag of comments, It's not surprising that some people are misinformed ( eg .. those who think that bay seals are still taken in the hunt) especially since the anti-seal hunt groups still use the now VERY old late 60's footage of baby seals being clubbed to convince people of their stand against seal-hunting. I also wonder what percentage of the anti-sealers lay awake at night fretting over the image of the pigs, chickens and cows,
most of them still eat, being slaughtered by the millions every week to feed the world. They're not all Vegans. If seals were butt-ugly they wouldn't get nearly the love-fest they do.
Anyways it's time to get on the bandwagon and save those poor creatures murdered by the millions each time those anti-sealers vacuum their carpets!! SAVE the DUST MITES!! -
- Sealy
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:16:16
Pehaps we should send peta some Flipper Pie to try. Yummy!
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- Floyd
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:14:28
The Minister (from a fishing family and fishing community on PEI) was speaking about protecting the Great Lakes, in case anyone is interested,what with Pies to protect some seals being thrown around and all.Great Lake fish and other animals must not be as well liked by PETA ...
The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, met with the Ontario Federation of Anglers and Hunters (OFAH) on Monday, January 25, 2010 in Burlington, Ontario.
Discussion at the meeting touched on the Lake Ontario Atlantic Salmon Restoration project, aquatic invasive species prevention and control and the Great Lakes Water Quality Agreement between Canada and the United States. The meeting also included consultation on Phase II of Canada's Economic Action Plan.
This meeting provided a great opportunity for meaningful discussion and action between Fisheries and Oceans Canada and OFAH with respect to fish and fish habitat conservation, protection and restoration.
Fisheries and Oceans Canada considers OFAH an important stakeholder and partner with whom we currently work together on many initiatives relating to fish and fish habitat in Ontario. -
- Sick of Animalistas
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:14:21
peta, know this. Animals do NOT have rights. Humans have the responsability to treat them properly. If they must be killed, the dispatch must be done quickly with as little pain as possible. This idiot must be charged with assault and given the maximum penalty. This would act as as a deterent to other wackos.
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- Ed
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:13:38
This assault was disgusting. Gail Shea and her family dont deserve this. Gail is not only the best MP Egmont has ever had but she is also doing a great job of promoting the industry for which she is Minister. For this she paid the price of being humiliated in public by some foreign nut case that doesn't have a clue
about the benefits of the seal hunt. Nonetheless, Gail got back up dusted herself off and showed amazing composure through the whole ordeal. I wonder what would have happened if it was a Canadian attacking an American politician...probably would have been tazered or shot. I was also disgusted by the letters on the Guardian web site, endorsing this disgraceful act. I didn't realize there were this many morons on the Island. As for PETA, I can no longer take their cause seriously if they're going to resort to assaulting hard working people like Gail Shea. And yes pie or no pie this was an assault and I cant fathom the mentality of anyone finding humor in this incident. Maybe these people should try some shaving
cream(not tofu) in their own eyes to see how it feels. -
- Mindy
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:13:06
This is a great look for Gail!
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- Charles
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:12:35
Survival of the fittest. If we have to kill seals to eat fish, then kill the seals. How can a group so in tune with nature fight against the natural laws? Their principles are all flawed.
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- Terry of Kingston
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:12:32
I am certain if a Canadian did the same thing to an American politican, they would soon be escorted to the border. This is just one of this persons grans-stand shows. I hope that she is banned from Canada forever.
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- pie in your face
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:12:32
pie in your face pie in your face looking like a fool with pie in your face. pie in your hair / hands in the air looking like a fool with pie in your face. Hands in the air scarf on your neck looking like fool some security check looking like fool with pie in your face.
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- Andy
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:11:49
The public needs to have access to us
Bull. These are the same lying politicians who hide behind bureaucrats and offices when it's not in their best interest... -
- James
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:10:41
Where was the security? yes it was just a pie BUT what if the idiot had a knife ?
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- Tom
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:08:14
So now some moron Liberal MP is calling for this to be seen as an act of terrorism???? It show you how the term is soooo over used. Whipping cream is now terrorism. Good grief, kick her in the snibby next time.
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- Ron
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:06:32
Gail took it on the chin (no pun intended here) and told CTV Newsnet that she has taken part in pie throwing in benefit hockey games, etc. Although, I do not support the tactics, PETA has been trying to make a point about the seal hunt. Shea has lost Europe as a market and is now trying China to sell seal products. Good luck with that.
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- Anna
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:06:23
I agree with everything 'Observer from PEI above had to say. he said it all . the seal issuse is just a way to con people into supporting a group of terrorist.
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- Jim
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:06:09
I think that there are a ton of PETA crazies from the U.S. claiming to be Islanders. It has been my experience that nobody on the Islands supports such a radical organization. Especially one that is completely controlled by Americans and for which any Canadian member must be completely submissive to the American leadership. PETA is just another example of an American leftist organization that has taken over Canada.
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- J-rod
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:04:07
This topic usually leaves me rattled at EVERYONE: PETA, Politicians, urbanites, hunters, Greenpeace, Americans, Europeans, Newfies, and of course the Guardian forum posters.
I'm not opposed to the seal hunt, but people who say seals are depleting OUR fish stocks are selfish simpletons.
We have no one but ourselves and our inability to manage resources to blame for the collapse of fisheries world wide. Any marine biologist will tell you the ecosystems, with seals AND fish were pretty balanced for thousands, if not millions of years.
Add a bunch of looting Europeans, fleets of fishing vessels, nets the size of football fields and dollars into the mix and you've got no fish left. Unfortunately, thanks to our own stupidity, a seal cull is required to keep the carrying capacity of the oceans from dwindling to nothing. Well done.
If seals were coming onto land to raid OUR potato fields (lol) then I might listen to your argument.
That said, the pieing is assault, not terrorism like that dolt MP from NL is suggesting. Put her in jail, deport her, ban her, treat her the same way the American system would treat a foreigner guilty of assaulting an high ranking American politician. (actually, if that were the case she would have probably been shot).
Loons like McCoy only set back the efforts of more intelligent, diplomatic animal rights ambassadors. -
- Embarrassed by the public
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:04:02
It saddens me to think that someone would attempt to justify this type of behaviour. People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals ---what about the ethical treatment of people??
I don't care what your personal views are regarding the seal hunt, this type of behaviour is unacceptable and completely disrespectful. This is a form of assault and needs to be treated as such.
Why doesn't that American put her time and energy into something positive like making tofu pies for Haiti, instead of getting involved in CANADIAN political issues. -
- Trevor
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:03:11
It would behoove any PETA members or supporters who keep a very low profile for a while. Anyone who sees one should feel justified in pushing their hand in the face of any PETA member - adult or their children (why not?) as a statement protesting assaults on grandmothers. What is OK for one side is OK for us too. They think it is OK, so they should not object to them or their ill-begotten spawn getting the same kind of non-violent protest.
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- bill
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:03:03
i encourage the pie thrower (who is guilty of assault in my opinion ) to engage the services of the lawyer who represented mike currie
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- Ryan
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:02:52
I was very impressed with Ms. Shea's ability to take the pie incident in stride. One would think the ethical treatment of humans should be part of the PETA manifesto, but it would appear that this is not the case.
Regardless of people's opinions about the merits of the seal hunt, it is no different from any other hunt, slaughter or cull. Certainly red blood on white snow is a compelling image for animal rights groups, as is the cuteness of the white coats (which have been exempt from the hunt since 1987), but it does not make it any different than the million tonnes of chickens slaughtered in Canada every year (ugly though they may be). Nor the 2,000+ cats and dogs that PETA kills every year.
What's that? The organization that advocates freedom for all animals also kills them?
http://www.petakillsanimals.com/ -
- William
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:02:41
This was a blatant act of Terrorism... Where was the Cabinet Minister's RCMP Agent that was supposed to be accompanying her on her trip??.... I have attended State Dinners in the Province of Ontario, and any Minister always had an RCMP backup Security Agent or Detail... Those overweight American Citiots (former meateaters gone all religious about animal rights and still eating bacon) coming into Canada with their noxious Pie-Bombs, exploding them in the faces, not just of our MP's, but, of our Cabinet Ministers.... Our Gov's under attack... Shut it down ! !..... Oh, that's right,.. The Prime Minister's already done that.... Heeellppp!!
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- Dennis
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:01:47
Even as a Conservative I was disgraced when PM Jean Chretien was assaulted in Charlottetown. I was just as disgraced when Dion and Pettigrew were hit. This is a tasteless act and I am shocked to see it receiving endorsement from so many Islanders. Anyone who knows Mrs. Shea knows she is a sweet lady and very undeserving of this. I hope this criminal is punished to the full extent of the law. As for PETA, no point in punishing, like Greenpeace, they are losing whatever credibility they had by the day.
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- L.
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:00:28
To Mindy Cole,how rude.
How would you feel if this was a picture of your mother,sister,or grandmother?
I find nothing humourous about this assault what so ever & fail to see the levity that many appear to be enjoying. -
- Lilly
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:00:15
Regardless of your opinion ai regards to the seal hunt, this was an assault. The woman should be charged, PETA should be ashamed of their tactics, and the Federal gov. needs to look into better security for their elected officials.
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- West
- - June 21st, 2010 at 20:00:12
My question is how does someone with a record for what she done in charlottetown last year get back into Canada... She should be banned from entering Canada again. I am sure if it was a Canadian doing this in the US.. it would not be twice.. and she would be still paying the price from the first episode..
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- Steve
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:59:53
In keeping with the other ill informed commenters....BAN PIES!! Oh the horror.
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- Dick
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:59:48
I had a meal of seal meat during a visit to Newfoundland and brought some home to share with friends in nearby upstate NY.
Like me, they think Canada should export the meat as a biproduct from a necessary hunt to preserve a fishery that has been devestated by an overabundance of seals. -
- Mindy
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:59:48
Well said Marie. Unfortunately the uneducated and die hard seal butchers will never be convinced. Gail SHAME is a disgrace to all Canadians. I hope she gets much more of what she deserves!
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- K
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:59:40
dubya from PEI writes: PETA =
People
Eating
Tasty
Animals
You're sick.
Thank god Im a vegetarian. -
- Diane
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:59:21
For anyone who thinks it's okay to assault anyone at any time should get a pie in the face to see how it feels. The seal hunt is a legal source of income to some of the people of a region that depend on it. While it's not pretty to watch, neither is the slaughter of any animal that is used for human consumption. If anything can be done to eliminate suffering it should be done. But the tactics of PETA and at times Green Peace go too far.
-
- Rational
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:58:38
Marie, as long as the populations remain high and people need to find work nobody in their right mind should care... we have more important things to worry about. The sealing industry, has been around for centuries, and to get rid of it just because it seems cruel would be ridiculous... when reports from veterinarians agree that it is acceptable. Any hunter who takes the life of an animal respects (or should anyways) the life they have taken and admires that which still exists. Hunters are not the same thing as murderers, and without our ancestors taking the lives of animals you would not be here today... so just accept the fact that people always will rely on animals for something. I know, all you PETA members would love to see another factory go up, taking precious agricultural space, and to produce clothing using toxic manmade chemicals. You also better be double checking that none of your food or clothing contains animal products. You ignorant people need to understand that there is more to it than simply the act of killing.
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- Ross
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:57:42
Of course, the same Islanders who are posting about what a disgusting act of assault this is, are the same people who would think it was hilarious if it was a Canadian putting a pie in the face of an American politician.
What a bunch of hypocrites! -
- Frank
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:57:14
Next time, please use the butt end of a seal !!!!!!!
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- Jaide
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:56:55
Money talks. At the end of the day the only thing she cares about is which bottle of champagne shes gonna have when she does home. As long as the industry is making money it doesnt matter who or what suffers. Yes a pie in the face is hilarious and well deserved but really, is it going to make her change her mind, obviously not. and people wonder why this world is so screwed up lol.
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- mccccccc
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:56:31
To CITIZEN KANE,
Why not just have a major cull on human beings every year then? They are the species that are killing all of the fish, not seals. -
- Where can I buy some
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:56:23
First there were protesters, then they became more zealous and militant. Now they are turning to assault. Sounds like they are reading less from Ghandis book and more from Osama's. At least they are just using clowns with pies. PAul Watson and his band have already escaltated to endagering sealers with boats already. Time to get my sealskin mitts before th price goes up because of danger pay
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- lbh
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:55:42
How the hell is it these groups can scream bloody murder over unethical treatment of animals and yet support physical violence towards other human beings. I would hate to be their children, family or friends. if they have such little respect for others, how can they expect to lead a protest or be a positive role model for those around them. They are hypocrites to the extreme. They will justify whatever they need to benefit and further there movement yet expect to people to view them as some honorable society. heres a tip, if you want to garner support from people, try respectful things, something with some class, not these pysdeo terrorist attacks and demonstartions.
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- m
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:53:53
Just keep sending your money to PETA. They spend it well, buying pies and killing cats and dogs in their animal shelters
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- Stan
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:53:08
Any nation in which a pie in the face is the urgent political question of the hour is a nation so blessed by fortune that it should instantly STFU, stop whining, and go home to count it's blessings. There are people in this world facing REAL problems. Zip it and go help some of them!
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- L.
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:52:44
Disgraceful.No matter what side of the political fence you stand,this is disgraceful & nothing less than an assault.Was McCoy not already on their radar after the Charlottetown incident?
After the assault everyone just stood around for few seconds looking stunned...great security.
I'd love to know the actions & sentence imposed on McCoy if this where to happen in her own Country.No doubt it would be more severe than the slap on the wrist she'll receive from the Canadian justice system.
I am 100 % pro animal rights,but this shameless publicity from PETA has left me angry & I feel has sabotaged their efforts.They are nothing more than radicals. -
- Dear Marie Amelia
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:52:44
Welcome to PEI. Perhaps you should come here and observe the non-existant baby seal hunt. It is a fairy tale, just like Anne of Green Gables. Seal pups 12 days old are still with their mommies and all is well. The membership of PETA do not respect others as they pretend...for example, why wasn't the McCoy woman in Haiti helping baby Haitians who are starving and without water? She is not a person of integrity and took steps to hit another human being for no reason other than a chance to get some publicity for her organization. I wonder what she is paid to do that sort of thing? I wonder how much money PETA puts into taking care of the human animal living on the streets in NYC with no food, no shelter, and being beaten by people who think it is okay to hit. You know...IF PETA truly were an organization who were against violence against animals, then McCoy would have been expelled from the organization. Violence is violence. What makes it okay to hit a granny, but not a seal?
Also Marie Amelia: Perhaps you would also like to take Danny Williams' invitation to visit Newfoundland as his guest. He will ensure that you get the information first hand.
PS: did I detect a bit of a condescending tone to your post? -
- Ronald J
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:50:45
Blatant assault is not acceptable in today's society and should be prosecuted to the fullest. McCoy should be barred from Canada for life and PETA should also be heavily fined for backing her illegal actions.
Nutbars come out of the woodwork whenever they feel others are not of their beliefs.
Who are the dissidents that suggest people be beaten with bats (marina from On.) Sicko! -
- CITIZEN KANE
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:50:29
The protester likely went and had a feed of chicken afterwards, she is probably also wearing leather shoes, can't figure these people out!!!
These seals are a nuisance just like the cormorants...They do nothing but eat fish, They should have a major Cull on both of these species every year maybe evev twice a year!!!!!!! -
- michael
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:48:36
I hope the B is put in jail for 50 years and the outfit she is with the EPTA banded from all country's in the world for ever as they are really as dumb as a stick.
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- Annie
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:48:27
Glad that it wasn't more serious and I think Gail's actions following the incident showed great character.
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- Swanee
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:48:22
If God didn't want us to eat animals, he wouldn't have made them out of meat.
...and anyone who opposes the senseless clubbing of innocent seals without reason needs a serious fact-check on the hunt, it's history and it's present-day incarnation.
If I were Gail Shea, I'd have clubbed, skinned and made a coat out of that PETA bimbo. -
- Rational
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:48:16
I'm willing to bet that most fisherman and hunters have more of a respect for wildlife than PETA members can comprehend... along with more respect for fellow human beings. I guess being stuck in a city makes you lose your connection with the things people need to do to make an honest living. Not all of us want to live off of tofu and wear hemp tunics.
-
- Not Suprised
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:48:07
Ms. McCoy was the same lady who disrupted an event at a Charlottetown Hotel last fall by standing on a table where Ms. Shea was about to speak and cancelled.
If a Canadian acted this way in the U.S. and was charged in court, I would suggest they would not be allowed back in the U.S. or at least not be allowed to get close enough to assault one of their elected officials! -
- Seriously?
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:47:22
I am really, truly disturbed that people are saying that PETA did a 'good job'. A good job at what? Proving that they don't have valid arguments so they have to resort to violence?
They are doing nothing but making a mockery of their organization.
I am also shocked at how many Islanders are applauding the immature act of McCoy. (Not Miss, in my opinion only ladies deserve to be addressed as Miss, and McCoy has certainly proved she is NO lady.)
Gail Shea is one of us! She is an Islander! She's a wife, a mother and a grandmother and NO ONE deserves to see their loved one disrespected like this, no matter what their beliefs are.
It's pretty sad that PETA has to resort to vandalism (splattering red paint on people wearing fur coats) and violence because they are so blatantly unintelligent that they can't even form sentences. You don't see anti-PETA protesters throwing buckets of real animal blood on PETA supporters, do you?
How is this any different than someone assaulting any one of you because you believe in God? Or because you believe in Women's rights? Or Pro-life?
It's one thing to disagree with someone, it's a completely different story when you are so intolerant of them that you feel the need to assault them. Why can't we just respect every one's beliefs?
Such a disgrace.
I am happy the Gail was as composed as she was and was able to get back to her speech. She has a lot of class. More than I can say for McCoy. -
- observer
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:47:17
Will some one please explain to my why the seal hunt is such a sacred cow? What about the trophy hunting of bears in BC, what about the trapping of mink or other fur bearing animals? What about chickens raised in tiny cages, cows and pigs lead into the killing room at the factory processor? As several posters above suggest the protestors would be advised to get some education at a local slaughter house. But they don't, they continue to spread massive misinformation about the seal hunt in an ongoing money grab from gullible people in North America and Europe, many of whom are culpable in the deaths and suffering of many animals every day!
-
- Fight back
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:45:02
Gail,
The next time anyone tries to hit you in the face with anything punch them as hard as you can square in the nose. That nutter has no right to thin she gain grandstand by hitting public figures with anything. Take a note from Chretien and give her a shawinigan handshake! If people think they can get away with hitting you they will try! Don't let yourself be a victim fight back! -
- Anne
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:42:09
The seal hunt is an international embarrassment for Canada - the largest wildlife slaughter in the world! The only reason it continues is because of the several important swing seats in Newfoundland. It is more than time to get serious! Hundreds of thousands of young seal pups are brutally slaughtered for their pelts (many unsold and warehoused) and their carcasses are left on the ice to disappear below. There are a handful of very part time jobs at stake that are subsidized to the hilt. Interesting that many more jobs are lost in other industries with nary a peep from our government! If we don't care about obscene cruelty and environmental devastation then we should care about being royally ripped off as taxpayers!
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- Marie Amelia
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:41:52
To all you good, hard working IslandersWhat you fail to understand is, PETA is merely holding up Ms. Shea as a good Prince Edward Islander. Ms. Sheas vociferous defense of the seal hunt is advertising that P. E. I. is well and truly entrenched in the cruel and bloody baby seal (twelve days old) slaughterthus focusing the attention of the civilized world on the slaughter of baby seals by Islanders, rather than projecting the image of the idyllic, pastoral landscape as promised by the P.E.I. Department of Tourism. Images of happy little Annie of Green Gables playing on the summer sands of the P. E. I. National Park, belie the presence of the mutilated carcasses of the aftermath of the cultural heritage... eagerly promoted by Ms. Sheaa good Prince Edward Islander!!!!
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- kee
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:41:27
Gail you handled this incident in a respectable manner and for the people such as Mindy Cole if they had half the class you had they would be doing something for society
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- David
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:41:12
There's no such thing as a baby seal unless it was some sort of human/seal mutation, it's a seal pup.
Yes let's hit Ingrid Newkirk in the face with a seal flipper pie and see how much of a sense of humour she has. I'm guessing she would go insane (more insane?) and demand the person be flogged and executed. -
- Gerry
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:40:28
If the posters who support PETA's idiots possessed one quarter of of Ms. Shea's dignity, we would be a much better country.
Ms. Shea chose to take the high road and retained her composure. However, the incident must have been unnerving nonetheless.
Sadly, it's uneducated, ill-informed and easily manipulated mentalities such as Marina from Ontario that instigates like kind, e.g. PETA. -
- PETR
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:39:54
Keep up the good work Gail! Don't let some American from New York City try and change peoples mind on the seal hunt..why don't some of these PETA idiots come down to the east coast and see how we live. Defiantly charge her with assualt with a weapon..its no different than taking a punch in the face
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- TO MARIE AMELIA
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:39:47
When are you FOLKS GOING TO GET IT ??? Sensationalism sells I know but do PETA and it's Followers have no sense of INTEGRITY so what so ever???
(in the cruel and bloody baby seal twelve days old slaughter)
THE FACTS
The Seal Hunt HAS NOT Killed Baby Seals for Years !!! Pictures of Small White Seals Drenched in Ketchup or Red Kool Aid makes good Photo OPS but it is Pure Propaganda used only to support PETA's Cause!
At least take the time to Get and Report The Facts! -
- John
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:39:39
Oh ignorance is bliss. If seal-hunt protesters knew anything about seals and their affect on fish stock levels they'd be barking a much different tune. Seals contribute little to the eco-system. They breed like rabbits and depleat fish stocks at a rate far greater than the ill-informed can imagine. PETA, like GreenPeace, is supported only by the ignorant that are looking for something to while away their time with.
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- living_up_north
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:39:31
This shows the level of stupidity that peta and others will stoop to.
They do not know the true facts about seal hunts and the importance of it to various cultures around the world and in Canada.
Why don't you see any of them working towards helping human suffering around the world - Tsunami's, earthquakes, floods, fires, cultural genocide and the killing of entire villages or towns in many countires?
I'll tell you why - because they can't make a good living off that and rub shoulders with plastic so called celebrities who know less about life than they do.
It would also have the potential to be dangerous and not fashionable and in the news.
what a bunch of intellectual misfits and morons. -
- Jennifer
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:39:18
These seals are a nuisance just like the cormorants...They do nothing but eat fish,
YOU IDIOT!!! WTF else are they going to eat!? THEY'RE IN THE OCEAN!!!!
HUMANS should leave whats in the ocean to the creatures that need it to survive.
If the fishing industry hadn't been so greedy for decades, there'd still be enough whales and sharks AND TUNA to eat seals and the balance would remain intact. -
- Non-Beliver
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:39:15
Whatever our political affiliation is we should be embarrased that something like this can happen to a Prime Minister of Cabinet minister. In my opinion, 37-year-old Emily McCoy, a New York City woman who was taken into custody immmediately after the incident and charged with assult, this being the the second time she has been charged for incidents such as this, (found guilty on the first) that involved Gail Shea, should do a mininum of six months in jail (I'm being generous here) and then deported to the USA and never be permitted to return to Canada.
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- shade
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:38:17
So, if I'm reading this right...the minister is going to strengthen her resolve on this issue because someone put a pie in her face? This is how political decisions are made?
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- FB
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:38:15
The pie lady probably drove past 3 homeless people on her way to help save the seals.
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- Jason
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:37:49
The next time PETA is having a rally we should hit them with a pie made of raw hamburger.
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- hard to
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:37:00
I eat meat but truth be told if I had to kill it myself I would soon not be a meat eater.
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- Ray
- - June 21st, 2010 at 19:34:09
Thank You Minister Shea for representing the Island and Canadians internationaly as well as at home. As a competent. dignified Lady.All sensible Islanders are PROUD: of you.
And shame on the Gleefull comments of the Liberal losers to the assault on you by a demented American.
How and why are these radicals allowed back into Canada. Surley Immigration will ban her from ever entering our country again.
