Royal Commission on Seals and the Sealing Industry in Canada : The Royal Commission on Seals and the Sealing Industry in Canada was established under Order in Council P.C. 2242, 22 June 1984, under Part I of the Inquiries Act (R.S.C., 1970, c.1-13) and on the recommendation of the Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and the Minister of International Trade, as revised and amended by Order in Council P.C. 2905, 26 September 1985 and Order in Council P.C. 3769, 20 December 1985. The Commission was mandated to inquire into and report upon all aspects of seals resource management and sealing in Canada, and especially on the economic viability of the seal industry, with particular reference to: (a) the social and cultural impact and economic benefits and costs, including regulatory costs, of sealing in Canada; (b) the ethical considerations relevant to the harvesting of seals; (c) the status of Canadian seal stocks and measures currently in force in Canada to conserve, manage, protect and regulate the harvesting of seals, including the adequacy of such measures; (d) the interactions between seals and commercially exploited fish populations that may affect food supplies or contribute to parasite transmission; (e) the interaction between seal populations and commercial fisheries, including, inter alia, competition between seals and fishermen for fish stocks; interference in fishing activity by seals, including damage to fishing gear and catches; and the effect and related economic costs on the quality of fish catches caused by transmission of parasites by seals; (f) the principles necessary to manage seal stocks for conservation purposes, including appropriate cull levels, so as to ensure the continuing abundance and health of seal stocks and to minimize adverse interactions between seals and Canadian fishing resources and operations; (g) the methods for harvesting seals commercially and their suitability; (h) the domestic and international opportunities for and constraints on the processing and marketing of Canadian seal products; (i) the availability of alternative sources of income and opportunities for adjustment for individuals and communities currently dependent on the seal harvest; (j) the concerns of individuals and groups with a direct, indirect or declared interest in sealing in Canada, including an assessment of such interests; (k) the public awareness and attitudes in Canada and abroad on sealing policies and activities in Canada and the extent to which such attitudes could constrain future revitalization of commercial interests and activities, and recommend approaches for removing those constraints; (l) the international comparison, as appropriate, for the preceding elements; and (m) the possible new international initiatives for managing Canada's seal resources, for harvesting seals and for related activities. The original Commissioners, Albert H. Malouf, Chairman; Wilfred Templeman and Robert Ian McAllister, were to be "assisted by such other commissioners as may be appointed." In July 1984, Kenneth Radway Allen, John A. Gulland and Patrick A. Geistdoerfer were appointed Commissioners. Geistdoerfer, who only attended the opening meeting of the commission in September 1984, resigned the opening meeting of the commission, in September 1984, resigned in April 1985. In August 1984, Russel Lawrence Barsh became a Commissioner (see Orders in Council (P.C. 2650, 25 July 1984); (P.C. 3079, 31 August 1984) and (P.C. 1258, 18 April 1985). The secretary was Gilles Poirier.
On 21 June 1984, the federal Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, Pierre DeBané, announced the establishment of a royal commission to look into all aspects of seals and the sealing industry in Canada. The main factor leading up to its appointment was a two-year ban imposed by the European Economic Community (EEC) on the importation of the skins of harp and hooded seal pups from Canada. The ban was first imposed by the EEC on 1 October 1983. It was extended in September 1985 and is still in effect. The prohibition order was significant because the EEC represented 10 countries which accounted for about 80 perfect of the Canadian market for seal pelts. The EEC's directive reflected pressure from animal protection groups, such as the International Fund for Animal Welfare and Greenpeace. It was not based on any scientific evidence, however, regarding the level of seal stocks in Canadian waters. Markets for seal pelts and seal products, which had already collapsed about a year prior to the EEC's action, did not recover. Because the decline affected the whole industry, few buyers could be found for skins from mature seals, or from species of seals not affected by the ban. Unfortunately, the majority of aboriginal peoples in the eastern Arctic and Northern Quebec, and fishermen in the Gulf of St. Lawrence, in Newfoundland, and elsewhere in Canada, no longer found it profitable to hunt seals.
It is not surprising, therefore, that the inquiry also looked at alternative sources of revenue for people and communities which previously had depended on the seal hunt. In DeBané's opinion, the royal commission, "will set the record straight for the public, both Canadian and international" (see News Release, Fisheries and Oceans, 21 June 1984; and Seals and Sealing in Canada, Report of the Royal Commission, Vol. 1, Ottawa, Supply and Services Canada, 1986).
Hearings of the commission were held in St. John's, Montreal, Kangiqsujuag in Northern Quebec (also known as Wakeham Bay), Toronto, Vancouver, Pangnirtung in the Northwest Territories, and Holman on Victoria Island, from 22 January to 18 June 1985. A further hearing was held in Montreal on 26 September 1985. Because of the international interest in the sealing issue, the commission also held hearings in London, England and in Washington, D.C. in April 1985. The commission received 137 submissions. RG33-138 General Inventory
