Many people, at least here in Ontario, will be familiar with the sad situation at Marineland, a zoo/aquarium in Niagara Falls. On August 15, 2012, the Toronto Star began a series of articles outlining the years of neglect, thanks to information received from brave former employees who are speaking out.

In Canada, there are no regulations to protect marine mammals in captivity.

Click here for the series of articles from the Toronto Star.

For those who have not yet seen this appeal from ex-Marineland trainer, Phil Demers, please see below.

Please call Ontario Premier Dalton McGuinty today! +1 416-325-1941
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What to say when you call the Premier:
I'm calling because I'm concerned with the way the Government is handling animal neglect at Marineland. Waiting for the results of the OSPCA review is not good enough. Reports of animal neglect at Marineland have been happening for over past 20 years. The animals can't wait any longer.

(The representative will probably tell you that the Premier needs to wait for the OSPCA review before he knows what actions he needs to take. If so, this is what you can say next.)

Tell them: Waiting for the results of the OSPCA review of Marineland won't reveal anything we don't already know. The OSPCA only deals with individual cases of animal abuse or neglect on a complaint basis after they've happened. They do not regulate zoos or aquarium, they do not monitor them and they have no authority to close them down. Today in Ontario, anyone can start a zoo or aquarium regardless of their knowledge or training, put animals into whatever cages they want and the OSPCA can't do anything to stop them. We already know that licenses, standards and oversight are desperately needed. We've known that for years. It's in place for native wild animals.Marinelands animals are currently existing a legal void.(Don't forget to be polite and thank the representative for their time.)

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Over 75,000 people have signed my petition demanding Premier McGuinty act to save Marineland's animals by enacting legislation to protect marine mammals in captivity, and to control all zoos and aquariums, including a way of shutting them down when there is chronic neglect.

The good news: the Premier is paying attention. He has publicly responded calling the animal neglect I've exposed "unsettling". The bad news: He says he'll wait until after the OSPCA investigation is finished before he decides if laws need to be strengthened. These are the same delay tactics the Government used last time neglect was exposed at Marineland.

He needs to know this isn't good enough. So next Monday I'll be delivering your 75,000 signatures to Premier McGuinty in person.

Will you help me amp up the pressure on the Premier before my visit by joining thousands calling his office today?
Premier Dalton McGuinty’s Office: +1 416-325-1941

Tell the Premier that Marineland's animals can't wait any longer for the Government to enact laws that protect marine mammals and control zoos and aquariums, and that you can't wait any longer either. For facts to back you up when you call check out my phone script here.

Then post here on Facebook to let us know what he and his staff have to say for themselves.

The animals of Marineland need us. Smooshi needs us.

Phil Demers, ex-Marineland trainer

P.S. Share the petition with your friends on Facebook.