The Vancouver parks board has shown contempt for the democratic rights of the public as well as for the work and decisions of previous park boards.

It has rescinded provisions that allowed Vancouver citizens to vote through plebiscites on two important matters concerning Stanley Park.

The issues are the proposed expansion of the aquarium, which will essentially convert public property into private lands, and the cruel practice of keeping whales and dolphins in captivity.

A plebiscite would help the aquarium. It sits on public land and exists through the largesse of the people of Vancouver.

A plebiscite would help the aquarium shape its long-term plans in harmony with the sensibilities of the citizens of the city.

According to the parks board and the aquarium, citizens can now have input through "appropriate public discussion."

What rubbish.

Does anyone truly believe that such public discussion will be anything more than a dog-and-pony show, a charade?

The fix is in.

The aquarium will expand, and more whales and dolphins will end their lives living under inhumane conditions in concrete tanks in Stanley Park.

Janos Mate,

Whale Friends
© The Vancouver Province 2006