Sealing the deal, or not

Oh, the Canadian seal. A creature befitting our love and undying admiration, akin to a puppy or kitten? Or something more utilitarian, such as the barnyard cow or chicken? Seems like this debate just won't go away.

Late last month, model and animal rights activist Pamela Anderson helped usher in a new anti-seal hunt ad campaign in support of the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals.

PETA and other animal rights organizations believe the hunt to be barbaric and without merit or benefit for the Canadian economy. Try telling that to both hunters and Aboriginal people who say the hunt is not only humane, but provides much-needed income and food.

Federal politicians will soon have an opportunity to try seal meat for themselves, when seal pops up on the menu at a Parliament restaurant in Ottawa. The addition of the meat at the restaurant - which is only open to legislators, reporters and some government staff - comes from a decision made by the Board of Internal Economy.

This board, made up of MPs from the federal parties, was first asked to add seal meat to the menu last year by some senators to show support for Canada's seal hunt. They were asked again earlier this year to place seal on the menu, after the European Union passed a trade ban on seal products. The board agreed, and with a supplier from the Magdalen Islands in place, seal meat is expected to be available at the restaurant next spring.

Of course, this isn't stopping PETA from trying to stop the hunt. They've had protesters - dressed in seal costumes - positioned around the Prime Minister's office for quite some time. And they recently launched an inflatable seal to move along with the Olympic torch as is passes through various venues on the mainland.

Also recently getting in on the debate was Lt.-Gov. John Crosbie, when The Prince of Wales and The Duchess of Cornwall recently visited Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Lieutenant-Governor donned a seal skin coat several times during the royal visit, perhaps most notably when the royal couple attended a tree planting ceremony at Government House in St. John's.

"They took it all in their stride," Lt.-Gov. Crosbie told reporters. "They noticed it and I don't think that they were upset. They know that it's necessary, that animals are all killed for all kinds of purposes. Cows are killed and produce roast beef, etc. There are a lot of Canadians that somehow think that the roast of beef is manufactured in the back of a supermarket, not realizing that it was a cow originally, and so the seal hunt is no different."

Regardless, the Canadian seal hunt will continue. People will feed their families and earn an income. Others will also consume the meat and other parts of the carcass. Some will even wear the pelts. And, sure enough, protesters will continue lobbying against the hunt.

So heat up your oven or grab your picket. Even with recent developments on both sides of the debate, nothing about the Canadian seal hunt is going to change in the foreseeable future.