Marineland opens for 2022 season facing animal cruelty charge
Marineland opens for 2022 season facing animal cruelty charge
Marineland opened for its 2022 season Saturday facing an outstanding animal cruelty charge placed by Niagara Regional Police Service (NRPS) late last year.
According to the facility’s website, the park is open for the season as of 10 a.m. on May 21.
In October, police launched an investigation over the theme park's use of whales and dolphins in shows after the park allegedly used the mammals for entertainment purposes.
The passing of Bill S-203 in 2019 made it illegal under the criminal code to use mammals for entertainment performances.
NRPS laid one animal cruelty charge on the park in early December. The park has since denied all allegations of animal cruelty, claiming their mammal shows are of "educational nature."
On Marineland’s website, educational presentations with belugas and dolphins are advertised for the upcoming season.
The park has retained Toronto lawyer Scott Fenton and has made four court appearances since the charge was laid.
As of Marineland’s most recent appearance in a St. Catharines courtroom, the Crown is awaiting full disclosure. They are scheduled to appear again on June 29.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Canada pledges funds as G7 develops response to famine fallout from Russian invasion
Canada pledged $50 million to prevent Ukrainian grain from going to waste on Sunday as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau committed to work with G7 nations on further measures to halt the famine caused by the Russian invasion of the embattled country.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine a 'turning point' in world history: defence chief
Canada's chief of defence says Russia's invasion of Ukraine is going to change the course of history.
People with COVID-19 can infect and sicken cats and dogs by cuddling them: study
Cat and dog owners who cuddle their pets when infected with COVID-19 could end up making the animals sick with the virus, according to a Canadian study.
U.S. Ambassador Cohen on inflation, the convoy protests, abortion rights and gun control
David Cohen has been the United States' Ambassador to Canada since November 2021, and in the time since, both Canada and the United States have experienced a series of shared challenges. In an interview at his official residence in Ottawa, Cohen opens up about the state of the relationship.
Trudeau mocks 'bare-chested horseback riding' Putin as G7 leaders meet in Germany
Russian President Valdimir Putin was a target of mockery by leaders of the Group of Seven, as they sat around a table Sunday, commencing their three-day summit in Bavarian Alps, Germany.
Russia strikes Kyiv as Western leaders meet in Europe
Russia shattered weeks of relative calm in the Ukrainian capital with long-range missiles fired toward Kyiv early Sunday, an apparent Kremlin show-of-force as Western leaders meet in Europe to strengthen their military and economic support of Ukraine.
Live updates: G7 nations seek to counter Chinese influence
The latest on the G7 summit: The Group of Seven leading democratic economies has formally launched at its annual summit a global infastructure and investment partnership aimed at pushing back China's influence in the developing world.
Norway mourns victims of Oslo shooting with memorial service
Norway's prime minister and members of the royal family joined mourners at a memorial service Sunday at Oslo Cathedral for the victims of a shooting attack as the capital held its annual LGBTQ Pride festival.
Rate of extreme rainfall expected to increase dramatically by 2100
New research looking at the frequency of heavy rainfall across the globe shows that a drastic increase in downpours is expected over the years to come.