Marineland faces Niagara Police charge over treatment of animals

In what is possibly a decision that could see the park shut down, Niagara Police have charged Niagara Fall’s theme park Marineland with breaking the laws regarding animal treatment.

In 2019, the federal government passed Bill S-203, which made it illegal under the criminal code to use the mammals for entertainment performances.

Today, Niagara Police charged them with exactly that: the use of their orca whale, killer whales and dolphins for entertainment purposes. The police began their investigation into the park back in October, following countless complaints lodged against Marineland.

Bill S-203 forbids marine mammals from being used for performance or entertainment purposes unless given a specialty license from the provincial government. The Ministry of the Solicitor General says it has not issued that licence.

In its defence, Marineland issued a statement today, saying they believe “the courts will find Marineland to be not guilty, as a matter of law,” saying their shows are educational rather than for-profit entertainment.

“Marineland of Canada Inc.’s educational presentation was designed by experts to provide Canadians with an accessible opportunity to learn about marine life,” the statement said. “Our animal presentation contains marine mammals undertaking behaviours they exhibit in ocean environments.”

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Marineland will appear at the Robert S.K. Welch Courthouse in St. Catharines on February 14, 2022 to answer to the charges.