Gillian Anderson Asks PM Trudeau to End Commercial Seal Slaughter
For Immediate Release:
April 19, 2017
Contact:
Moira Colley 202-483-7382
Today, longtime PETA supporter Gillian Anderson—who has filmed in Canada for more than 20 years, including in Vancouver, where The X-Files was shot, and in Toronto, where Hannibal and the hotly anticipated American Gods (which debuts next week) were filmed—sent a letter asking Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to end the East Coast commercial seal slaughter, noting that climate change is already killing baby seals.
Citing this National Geographic report, Anderson writes, “[C]limate change is already decimating ice-dependent seals. It has resulted in less ice in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Without ice, baby seals drown. You’ve said, ‘Climate change will test our intelligence, our compassion and our will. But we are equal to that challenge.’ My friends at PETA and I ask that you consider the impact of climate change on both humans and marine life and call off the commercial seal slaughter for good.”
Anderson’s full letter is available here and appears below.
The Right Honorable Justin Trudeau, P.C., M.P.
Prime Minister of Canada, Ottawa
Dear Prime Minister,
I have had the pleasure of filming in Canada for more than 20 years and appreciate the country’s natural beauty, exciting cities, and rich culture. In these challenging political times, the world looks to Canada as a beacon of progressive policies and change. In this light, I urge you to end the annual East Coast commercial seal slaughter that puts such a stain on Canada’s international reputation.
This month, Switzerland became the 35th country to ban seal-derived items because of the cruelty involved in beating and shooting baby seals. Another issue, as this National Geographic report shows, is that climate change is already decimating ice-dependent seals. It has resulted in less ice in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Without ice, baby seals drown. You’ve said, “Climate change will test our intelligence, our compassion and our will. But we are equal to that challenge.” My friends at PETA and I ask that you consider the impact of climate change on both humans and marine life and call off the commercial seal slaughter for good.
I hope to hear that you—as a leader who has been progressive on many issues—will lift the dark cloud tarnishing Canada’s reputation and proud history, especially as your great nation gets ready to celebrate its 150th birthday. Thank you for your time and consideration.
With kind regards,
Gillian Anderson
