Sunday, June 19, 2011

Saving Sharks But Not Trees

Recently the City of Brantford became the first city in North America to ban the sale of shark fin soup. A feat that the mayor sees as somehow a major feather in the cap of Brantford. But at the same time Brantford has failed miserably in doing anything to protect its tree canopy, something many cities have done long ago, and something that would be much more than just a symbolic gesture.

And while the sale of shark fin soup is banned, no mention was made of shark steaks or shark cartilage both of which are readily available in Brantford, while the soup is not. So what was really accomplished with this resolution other than hollow bragging rights for those involved? And with the way bylaws are enforced in Brantford , shark fin soup could be sold in Victoria Park without any fear of prosecution anyway.