Long-time 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 – has sent a letter, on behalf of PETA US, asking Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to end the East Coast commercial seal slaughter, noting that climate change is already killing baby seals.
“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,” she wrote. "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.”
