Beluga whales swim in a tank at the now- shuttered Marineland amusement park in Niagara Falls, June, 2023. Since late 2019, 19 belugas, one killer whale and one dolphin have died at Marineland.Chris Young/The Canadian Press
Ontario’s Solicitor-General is urging the federal government to reconsider a request from Marineland to export 30 beluga whales to China, saying it’s one of the only options to keep the animals alive.
Michael Kerzner, who oversees animal welfare in the province, told The Globe and Mail he has made his case directly to federal Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson about the fate of the whales currently living at the shuttered amusement park in Niagara Falls, Ont.
Ms. Thompson earlier this month denied the park’s request to sell the whales and export them to Chimelong Ocean Kingdom theme park in China, because she said it would have meant a continued life in captivity and federal law prohibits the whales from being used for entertainment purposes.
Mr. Kerzner, however, said there are few options left - and the whales are running out of time. Marineland, facing bankruptcy, has said it may have to euthanize the belugas.
“I’m urging the federal government to reconsider the request made by Marineland,” Mr. Kerzner said in a brief interview this week.
“I really think the federal government doesn’t understand just how serious the consequences are.”
The Solicitor-General said he and Premier Doug Ford want to see the whales “continue on and to survive and thrive.”
“But we have to be realistic, if the exportation to the place in China was a possibility, then the federal government should have considered that in the totality in their decision,” he said.
“Should they reconsider it? If that’s what Marineland says is a viable option to keep the whales alive - yes, the answer is yes,” he added.
Ms. Thompson, however, said her decision is final.
“The Minister stands by her decision not to export these animals to Chimelong Ocean Kingdom,” said spokesperson Erik Nosaluk.
“If an export permit application is submitted by Marineland, the minister will review it expeditiously based on science, animal welfare, and the law.”
Mr. Nosaluk added that it’s “encouraging” to see many people coming forward with options to support the whales, and the next steps rest with Marineland.
The fate of the former amusement park, along with 30 beluga whales living there, has been front and centre in recent weeks, as different levels of government point fingers as to who is responsible for the animals.
Opinion: Don’t let Marineland tell you that its whales have to be euthanized
Animal-rights groups have for years raised concerns about the park, which has been shuttered since 2024. Since late 2019, 19 belugas, one killer whale and one dolphin have died at Marineland, but the company has long defended its treatment of animals, saying the deaths were part of the natural life cycle.
Marineland declined to comment. It has previously said Ms. Thompson’s decision to deny the export permits to China has far-reaching implications and effectively prohibits sending the whales to any aquarium in the world.
Other options have also cropped up, including a plan in Nova Scotia to build the first whale sanctuary in North America, as well as a bid by a Canadian-born U.S. investor to build a sprawling entertainment complex and sanctuary on the former Marineland site. Neither, however, is immediate.
Mr. Kerzner’s office earlier this month confirmed the whales are alive. Mr. Kerzner told The Globe he’s not aware of any changes.
He also said the federal government should look to Nova Scotia as an option.
This week, Nova Scotia approved a 20-year lease for Crown land to the U.S.-based Whale Sanctuary Project, which the organization says clears the way for its plan to build a seaside sanctuary. However, the group says it could only take about eight whales if the project comes to fruition, possibly as early as next summer, according to CEO Charles Vinick.
Opinion: Are zoos destined to go the way of Marineland?
Mr. Vinick called Nova Scotia’s approval “a major milestone” which opens the door to creating the sanctuary in Port Hilford Bay, N.S. The project seeks to end the practice of putting the animals in concrete tanks. It would include 100 acres of water space with depths up to 18 metres, with nets as barriers, and cost about US$15-million, with annual costs estimated at US$2-million a year, according to the founders.
Alicia Doyle, a spokesperson for Nova Scotia’s department of natural resources, said some details for the whale sanctuary project still need to be finalized before a lease can be granted, including the price and the exact boundaries, as well as federal approvals.
Asked about Nova Scotia’s plan, Ms. Thompson, in a statement, said it’s “really heartwarming to see the generosity of people,” in bringing forward options to support the whales. “As I have said, I will consider any solutions brought forward and will review any export requests made by Marineland.”
The federal government has rejected demands from Marineland for emergency funding. The park has said that euthanasia is otherwise imminent and will be a “direct consequence” of the minister’s decision to deny the permits.
Wayne Gates, the provincial NDP member for Niagara Falls, said Ontario, which is responsible for animal welfare and has the ability to seize animals in distress, is shirking its responsibilities. He also said shipping whales to China could result in deaths, because the health of the animals is not known and the province won’t release inspection reports.
“They can’t keep passing the buck and blaming the federal government,” Mr. Gates said.
Asked about taking over responsibility for the whales, Mr. Kerzner told The Globe that Marineland is a private business.
Melissa Matlow, campaign director for animal rights group World Animal Protection, said Canada made the right decision in denying the export permits to China. She said Nova Scotia’s proposal is the best path forward.
“No one thinks it’s a good idea to send the whales across the globe where they would be bred and exploited for entertainment,” she said.