Close X
Monday, November 11, 2024
ADVT 
National

Animal Activists Applaud Cancellation Of Trophy Hunting Show Planned For Toronto

The Canadian Press, 11 Dec, 2015 10:48 AM
    TORONTO — A Toronto hotel has cancelled an African trophy hunting show after animal activists protested the event in an online petition.
     
    The Holiday Inn Toronto International Airport hotel says in a Facebook post it cancelled the African Hunting Events show, but didn't provide a reason.
     
    A spokeswoman for InterContinental Hotels Group, which owns the Holiday Inn chain but not the airport hotel, said the Toronto hotel decided to cancel the show earlier Thursday.
     
    But Birgit Johnstone, a director with African Events Canada — the organizer of the the two-day show along with others in Calgary and Saskatoon — says the event will go on because she has a legal contract with the hotel.
     
    She says about 40 people have booked trips and secured visas to travel from Africa for the event, which is an important part of their business.
     
    Animal Justice lawyer Camille Labchuk, who led the online petition, says Holiday Inn showed leadership by standing up against the "senseless slaughter of majestic animals."
     
    "More and more companies are stepping up to the plate and refusing to play any part in the trophy hunting industry," Labchuk said.
     
    "The noose is closing around the neck of this cruel industry."
     
    Johnstone said there is a fundamental misunderstanding about the trips that are being promoted at the show.
     
    "This is about sustainable utilization of wildlife in Africa," she said. "It's not about a mass slaughter of wildlife. These are legal hunting trips."
     
    The websites of some of the exhibitors promote hunting lions, elephants and giraffes along with photos and videos of the kills.
     
    Johnstone said hunting is only part of what the exhibitors offer.
     
    "There are also fishing trips, photographic trips, regular safaris, too."
     
    Johnstone is livid with the Holiday Inn.
     
    "I've never tried to hide anything," she said. "The hotel knew what the event was about for months and only now are they changing their minds because of public pressure."

    MORE National ARTICLES

    5th Annual VISAFF Wows Attendees With Curated Festival!

    5th Annual VISAFF Wows Attendees With Curated Festival!
    The Vancouver South Asian Film Festival 5th edition came to a rousing close following five spectacular days that featured a wide variety of films from around the world, infused with food and fetes, serving up a bountiful cinematic feast.

    5th Annual VISAFF Wows Attendees With Curated Festival!

    Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman Invites Donald Trump To City To Learn 'Compassion And Tolerance'

    Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman Invites Donald Trump To City To Learn 'Compassion And Tolerance'
    Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman released a letter to Trump on Thursday — International Human Rights Day —  that urges him to visit the Manitoba capital and specifically its Canadian Museum for Human Rights

    Winnipeg Mayor Brian Bowman Invites Donald Trump To City To Learn 'Compassion And Tolerance'

    Saskatoon Police Chief Sees No Racism In The Work His Officers Do

    Saskatoon Police Chief Sees No Racism In The Work His Officers Do
    SASKATOON — RCMP Commission Bob Paulson has admitted there are racist officers on the force, but Saskatoon's police chief says he doesn't believe racist views are being translated through the work his officers do.

    Saskatoon Police Chief Sees No Racism In The Work His Officers Do

    Public Safety Minister Speaks On Terrorism Threat, Student International Travel

    Public Safety Minister Speaks On Terrorism Threat, Student International Travel
    EDMONTON — Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale says he knows of no reason why school boards should cancel international student trips over terrorism fears, but he says the decision is ultimately up to educators.

    Public Safety Minister Speaks On Terrorism Threat, Student International Travel

    New Daily Aeromexico Flights To Vancouver Seen As Boon For Tourism And Business

    New Daily Aeromexico Flights To Vancouver Seen As Boon For Tourism And Business
    Richmond said the non-stop service "opens up" the Latin American market with the airline's "great onward network connections."

    New Daily Aeromexico Flights To Vancouver Seen As Boon For Tourism And Business

    B.C. Judge Sides With Trinity Western University Saying Law Society Erred

     An evangelical Christian university under fire across the country for forbidding sexual intimacy outside of heterosexual marriage has secured a decisive legal victory in its effort to open a law school in British Columbia.

    B.C. Judge Sides With Trinity Western University Saying Law Society Erred

    PrevNext