Bill S-230 explained in plain English
An Act to amend the Criminal Code and other Acts (ending the captivity of whales and dolphins)
Federal Parliament bill summary, status, timeline, sponsor, votes, and official sources.
At a glance
Official Parliament of Canada snapshot for 41st Parliament, 2nd Session. MP vote breakdowns appear when the House of Commons publishes a recorded division export for that bill. Senate and House stage details include official debate/sitting links when LEGISinfo publishes them.
Our plain-language take, written for civic education.
Source: By PoliticalData.ca
Bill S-230 would make it a criminal offence to own, breed, or keep whales and dolphins in captivity in Canada, and would ban their import and export.
Bill S-230 proposes to create federal laws that would prevent whales, dolphins, and porpoises from being held in captivity in Canada. The bill would make it illegal to own or control these animals if they are in captivity, to breed them, or to possess their reproductive materials. It would also ban importing whales and dolphins into Canada or exporting them from Canada. However, the bill includes exceptions: animals already in captivity when the law comes into force could remain, and animals being cared for or rehabilitated after injury would be allowed. Entertainment performances with captive whales and dolphins could continue only if licensed by the province. The bill amends three federal laws: the Criminal Code, the Fisheries Act, and the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act.
- Creates a new criminal offence under the Criminal Code for owning, controlling, or having custody of a cetacean (whale, dolphin, or porpoise) kept in captivity
- Creates a new criminal offence for breeding or impregnating a cetacean
- Creates a new criminal offence for possessing or seeking reproductive materials of cetaceans, including sperm or embryos
- Creates a new criminal offence for promoting, arranging, or conducting entertainment performances or exhibitions using captive cetaceans, unless licensed by a provincial authority
- Amends the Fisheries Act to prohibit moving a live cetacean from its immediate vicinity with intent to place it in captivity
- Amends the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act to prohibit importing or exporting cetaceans (living or dead) or their reproductive materials into or from Canada
- Establishes exceptions for cetaceans already in captivity at the time the law comes into force, provided they remain continuously in captivity
- Establishes exceptions for capturing or moving injured or distressed cetaceans that need assistance or care
- Facilities or individuals who own, control, or have custody of whales, dolphins, or porpoises in captivity
- Persons who breed cetaceans or work with cetacean reproductive materials
- Operators of marine parks, aquariums, or facilities that display cetaceans for entertainment
- Persons importing or exporting cetaceans or their reproductive materials
- Provincial authorities responsible for licensing entertainment performances involving captive cetaceans
- Animal care providers and rehabilitators working with injured or distressed cetaceans
- It would be unlawful to own, control, or have custody of a cetacean in captivity, unless it was already in captivity when the law came into force and remains continuously in captivity
- It would be unlawful to breed cetaceans or to possess or seek reproductive materials from cetaceans
- It would be unlawful to move a live cetacean from its vicinity with intent to place it in captivity, except when the cetacean is injured or in distress and needs assistance
- Entertainment performances or exhibitions using captive cetaceans would require a licence issued by a provincial Lieutenant Governor in Council or another provincial authority designated by them
- It would be unlawful to import or export cetaceans (living or dead) or their reproductive materials
- Persons caring for or rehabilitating injured or distressed cetaceans would be permitted to do so without violating the ownership offence
- Bill currently at second reading in the Senate as of the provided information
- The bill text does not specify a date of commencement; this typically would be established through passage and royal assent
- The bill text does not specify financial costs, government expenditures, or tax implications
- Indictable offence: imprisonment for a term of not more than five years (Criminal Code section 445.2(5)(a))
- Summary conviction offence: fine not exceeding $10,000, or imprisonment for a term of not more than eighteen months, or both (Criminal Code section 445.2(5)(b))
- The bill text does not specify a commencement date; the effective date would need to be established separately
- The bill does not define what constitutes 'continuously in captivity' for the exception applying to existing captive cetaceans
- The bill does not provide detail on how provinces would establish licensing procedures for entertainment performances
- The bill does not specify penalties or enforcement mechanisms for violations of the Fisheries Act or Wild Animal and Plant Protection Act amendments
- It is unclear what jurisdiction or enforcement authority would handle violations of the import/export prohibition under the Wild Animal and Plant Protection Act amendment
- The bill does not define what qualifies as 'assistance or care' or 'rehabilitation' for the exceptions allowing handling of injured cetaceans
- The phrase 'from its immediate vicinity' is not defined in the bill
Creates new criminal offences related to cetaceans in captivity, including owning or controlling them, breeding them, possessing their reproductive materials, and organizing entertainment performances with them. Penalties include up to five years imprisonment for indictable offences, or fines up to $10,000 and up to 18 months imprisonment for summary conviction offences.
Prohibits moving a live cetacean from its immediate vicinity with the intent to take it into captivity. Exception allows moving injured or distressed cetaceans that need assistance.
Prohibits importing into Canada or exporting from Canada any cetacean (living or dead) or their reproductive materials, including sperm, tissue cultures, or embryos.
Generated using AI from official bill text. Not legal advice. It is written by PoliticalData.ca for civic education, automatically checked and spot-reviewed before publishing.
Official textParliamentary Process
Bill S-230 successfully completed its first reading in the Senate on June 11, 2015, with subsequent debate at second reading on June 19, 2015.
This record indicates that Bill S-230 completed its first reading in the Senate on June 11, 2015. This is a preliminary step where the bill is introduced. The record also notes that debate at second reading occurred on June 19, 2015, and lists a major speech by Senator Wilfred P. Moore on that date.
On June 11, 2015, the Senate began the process for Bill S-230 by giving it first reading, alongside other procedural matters and debates.
This document details the proceedings of the Senate on Thursday, June 11, 2015. The Senate began by paying tribute to departing pages and discussing various issues including the rights of persons with albinism, terrorism by Boko Haram, and the anniversary of Philippine independence. Several committee reports were presented, and two bills, Bill S-230 (ending the captivity of whales and dolphins) and Bill S-231 (related to firearms), were introduced and received first reading. The Senate also debated and passed third reading on other bills, including Bill C-26 (related to child sex offenders), Bill C-63 (the Déline Final Self-Government Agreement Act), Bill C-66 and Bill C-67 (appropriation bills for federal administration), and Bill S-224 (National Seal Products Day). Debates also occurred on a bill concerning candidacy and caucus reforms (Bill C-586), a motion to grant asylum to Ms. Asia Bibi, and motions regarding committee procedures and the Auditor General's report on Senate expenses. The sitting concluded with an adjournment until Monday, June 15, 2015.
The Senate began the second reading debate on Bill S-230, an act concerning whale and dolphin captivity, on June 19, 2015, with a speech from the sponsor, and the debate was not completed.
This record shows the progress of Bill S-230, an Act to amend the Criminal Code and other Acts concerning the captivity of whales and dolphins. On June 19, 2015, the Senate began its debate at the second reading stage. This stage involves discussing the bill's principles and purpose. The bill had its first reading on June 11, 2015. The record indicates the second reading debate was not completed on June 19, 2015. A speech by Senator Wilfred P. Moore, the sponsor of the bill, was made on this date.
During the Senate's second reading debate on June 19, 2015, Senator Wilfred P. Moore introduced Bill S-230, aiming to end the captivity of whales and dolphins in Canada by prohibiting captive breeding, imports, and live captures, while allowing for rescue and rehabilitation.
On June 19, 2015, the Senate debated Bill S-230, an Act to amend the Criminal Code and other Acts (ending the captivity of whales and dolphins). Senator Wilfred P. Moore moved second reading of the bill, which aims to phase out the keeping of whales, dolphins, and porpoises in captivity in Canada. He argued that keeping these animals confined is cruel and that Canada should align itself with other countries that have banned or restricted such practices. Senator Moore presented arguments from supporters of the bill, including a former trainer from Marineland and the director of the documentary "Blackfish." He also addressed concerns from Marineland and the Vancouver Aquarium, stating that the bill would not interfere with rescue and rehabilitation efforts but would end captive breeding programs and the general practice of keeping these animals for entertainment. The debate was adjourned after his remarks.
During the second reading debate in the Senate, Senator Wilfred P. Moore introduced Bill S-230, aiming to phase out the captivity of whales, dolphins, and porpoises in Canada by prohibiting captive breeding, imports, and live captures.
This artifact is a record of the Senate debate on the second reading of Bill S-230, an Act to amend the Criminal Code and other Acts (ending the captivity of whales and dolphins). Senator Wilfred P. Moore introduced the bill, explaining its purpose is to phase out the keeping of whales, dolphins, and porpoises in captivity in Canada. He argued that the practice is cruel and highlighted the intelligence and social nature of these animals, contrasting it with the restrictive and stressful conditions of captivity. Senator Moore shared endorsements from various individuals and organizations, including former trainers and animal welfare advocates. He detailed how the bill would prohibit captive breeding, imports, exports, and live captures, while allowing for rescue and rehabilitation. He also noted that the bill builds on existing Ontario legislation and aims to prevent the continuation of practices like Marineland's beluga breeding program. Several supporters' statements were quoted to underscore the ethical and scientific arguments against captivity. Marineland and the Vancouver Aquarium were mentioned as the primary facilities holding these animals in Canada, and their potential counterarguments were briefly addressed.
Bill S-230, concerning the captivity of whales and dolphins, has reached the Senate Third Reading stage but has not yet been debated or voted on at that stage, with the last recorded activity being a second reading debate on June 19, 2015.
The provided text outlines the procedural status of Bill S-230 in the Senate. The bill has reached the stage of Senate Third Reading but has not yet proceeded to that stage. The latest activity recorded was a debate at second reading on June 19, 2015, which included a sponsor's speech by Senator Wilfred P. Moore. The bill had its first reading on June 11, 2015.
Bill S-230 has reached First Reading in the House of Commons, but it is currently undergoing Second Reading in the Senate.
This record describes the procedural step of 'First reading' for Bill S-230 in the House of Commons. However, the status indicates that this stage has 'Not reached' and the bill is currently 'At second reading in the Senate'. The latest activity noted is a debate at second reading in the Senate on Friday, June 19, 2015. The first reading in the House of Commons was scheduled for Thursday, June 11, 2015, and second reading in the Senate occurred on Friday, June 19, 2015.
Bill S-230, concerning the captivity of whales and dolphins, has not yet reached its second reading stage in the House of Commons, with its most recent procedural activity being its second reading debate in the Senate.
The provided text indicates that Bill S-230 has not yet reached the 'House of Commons Second reading' stage. The latest activity noted for this bill was debate at second reading in the Senate on Friday, June 19, 2015. The bill was first read on Thursday, June 11, 2015, and had its second reading in the Senate on Friday, June 19, 2015, with a speech by Sponsor Wilfred P. Moore.
This parliamentary process record indicates that the House of Commons committee consideration stage for Bill S-230 has not yet occurred, with the bill currently being debated at second reading in the Senate.
This artifact describes a stage in the legislative process for Bill S-230, which has not yet been reached. The stage is 'House of Commons Consideration in committee'. The bill is currently at the second reading stage in the Senate. The latest activity recorded was a debate at second reading in the Senate on June 19, 2015, which included a speech from Senator Wilfred P. Moore.
Bill S-230, concerning the captivity of whales and dolphins, has not yet reached the Report stage in the House of Commons, while it is currently under debate at second reading in the Senate.
This record indicates that Bill S-230, an Act to amend the Criminal Code and other Acts related to ending the captivity of whales and dolphins, has reached the Report stage in the House of Commons. However, the Report stage has not yet been reached or commenced for this bill. The bill is currently at the second reading stage in the Senate, with the latest activity being a debate on Friday, June 19, 2015, where Senator Wilfred P. Moore delivered a speech.
Bill S-230 has not yet proceeded to the third reading in the House of Commons, with its most recent recorded activity being a second reading debate in the Senate.
This record indicates that Bill S-230 has not yet reached the third reading stage in the House of Commons. The latest activity recorded for this bill was a debate at second reading in the Senate on Friday, June 19, 2015. The bill was first read on Thursday, June 11, 2015, and had its second reading debate on Friday, June 19, 2015, in the Senate.
Debate and sitting links point to official parliamentary sources when LEGISinfo publishes them. Any plain-language discussion summaries should be generated from those official texts and reviewed before public display.
Vote Summary
This bill is still active. We only show vote counts after the legislature publishes a recorded division.
No published representative vote breakdown
This bill is still moving through the process. When a recorded division is published, representative positions can be listed here.
Official sources
Status, sponsor, votes, and timeline on this page are drawn from these official legislative sources and public records. Each summary above is attributed to its own source.
How this data is sourced