Toronto city council passes shark-fin ban

by Michelle da Silva on October 25th, 2011 at 3:20 PM

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A city-wide ban prohibiting the sale, trade, and possession of shark-fin products was adopted by Toronto city councillors today (October 25). The legislation passed on a 38-4 vote, and the four council members who voted against the ban included Toronto Mayor Rob Ford and Deputy Mayor Doug Holyday.

The official shark-fin ban comes two months after Toronto city council voted unanimously in favour of moving forward on a staff report on a bylaw against shark fins. Toronto council members Kristyn Wong-Tam, John Parker, and Glenn De Baeremaker initially suggested the ban.

Toronto is the fourth city in Ontario to take a stand against shark finning (Brantford, Oakville, and Missisauga all have bylaws). The large Canadian city also follows the recent passing of bill AB376 in California, which bans the sale, purchase, and possession of shark fins across the state.

The Toronto ban will take effect September 2012. Fines will range from $5,000 to $100,000.

Several Vancouver-based politicians, including NDP MP Fin Donnelly and NPA park board candidate Dave Pasin, would like to see a Canada-wide ban on shark fins.

You can follow Michelle da Silva on Twitter at twitter.com/michdas.

Comments

4 Comments

Taxpayers R Us

Oct 25, 2011 at 3:24pm

I sincerely hope our local politicians have the balls to do this too. The Chinese vote doesn't hinge on shark fins, yet they're all scared of losing that crowd.

Hester

Oct 25, 2011 at 5:06pm

I don't understand why shark fin soup is popular. It tastes like old slimy dish water.

canali

Oct 27, 2011 at 9:28pm

hester: it'spopular among the chinese primarily because it's a 'status/prestige' thing....fucking nuts eh? the slaughtering of sharks done so inhumanely for man's arrogance and ego.