City Council rejects referendum on Vancouver Aquarium whales, decision passed to Park Board

Supporters of the Vancouver Aquarium can breathe a sigh of relief, for now. Vancouver City Council has voted against a proposed motion to hold a referendum on banning the display of whales and dolphins at the Vancouver Aquarium.

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The motion, proposed by Green party councillor Adriane Carr was voted down 9-1. City Councillors severely criticized her for attempting to overstep on the legal jurisdiction of the Park Board.

Carr had proposed to add a referendum question to the November 15 civic election ballot if the Vancouver Park Board and the Vancouver Aquarium are not able to come to an agreement on phasing out whales and dolphins in captivity.

This comes after two Park Board commissioners made highly publicized statements against the Vancouver Aquarium’s rescued and captivity-born whales and dolphins.

On Monday, the Park Board convened on the matter and agreed to issue a report in July 2014 on the operations of the aquarium which will include a review of the condition and procedures for cetaceans.