We support environmental protection while also respecting freedom of choice. We believe that the regulation of shark fin trade should fall under the jurisdiction of the federal government rather than individual municipalities.
Beginning October 25, 2011, several municipalities in the Greater Toronto Area introduced bylaws prohibiting the consumption, possession, and sale of shark fins. In British Columbia, the municipalities of Port Moody, Coquitlam, North Vancouver, and Nanaimo subsequently adopted similar restrictions.
On September 18, 2012, Vancouver City Council passed a motion proposing a coordinated ban on shark fin sales involving Vancouver, Richmond, and Burnaby. This proposal raised significant concerns within the Chinese restaurant industry.
In response, the Association's President, Mr. David Chung, together with the Board of Directors and its members, launched a petition campaign opposing the proposed ban on shark fin consumption and sales.
Mr. Chung also sent letters to several municipal mayors, city councillors, and federal Members of Parliament, expressing the industry's concerns and emphasizing that the regulation of shark fin imports and international trade falls under federal jurisdiction rather than municipal authority.
Alice Wong Holds Press Conference to Clarify Federal Position
On October 11, 2012, Richmond Conservative Member of Parliament Alice Wong held a press conference at Jade Restaurant, a seafood restaurant in Richmond operated by Association President Mr. David Chung.
During the press conference, Ms. Wong addressed the controversy surrounding the proposed shark fin ban and outlined the federal government's position at the time.
She emphasized that regulating shark fin imports, ensuring imported fins were not obtained through the cruel practice of shark finning, and protecting endangered shark species were matters within federal jurisdiction.
Ms. Wong questioned the legal justification for municipalities to impose a blanket ban on shark fin sales. She further indicated that if municipal governments proceeded with such bylaws and imposed penalties, the federal government might consider responding through legal channels.
She stressed that the federal government had no intention at that time of introducing a nationwide ban on shark fin sales. She also recognized shark fin as part of traditional Chinese culinary culture and expressed concern that the issue had become excessively politicized.
Federal Government Permitted Legal Shark Fin Imports at the Time
Ms. Wong argued that since the federal government permitted the importation of legally sourced shark fins under the regulations then in effect, municipal governments should not impose additional blanket restrictions without sufficient legal justification.
She noted that Fisheries and Oceans Canada had already established measures governing shark conservation, fisheries management, and related import and export activities, including protections for endangered species and assessments of environmental impacts.
As early as 1994, Canada had introduced fishing licence conditions prohibiting shark finning, the practice of removing a shark's fins and discarding the remainder of its body at sea.
Ms. Wong maintained that municipal bans based solely on environmental arguments raised questions about legal authority and practical enforcement.
Proposed Three-City Ban Could Significantly Affect Chinese Restaurants
Ms. Wong pointed out that although several municipalities in Metro Vancouver had already introduced shark fin restrictions, relatively few restaurants in those communities actually served shark fin dishes. Consequently, the direct economic impact of those bylaws was relatively limited.
However, Vancouver, Richmond, and Burnaby were home to substantial numbers of Chinese restaurants. A coordinated ban across these three cities could therefore have a much greater impact on restaurant operators, employees, and the broader Chinese food service industry.
She believed it was necessary for the federal government to publicly clarify its position and confirm that there were no plans at that time to introduce a nationwide prohibition on shark fin sales.
Following her remarks, Ms. Wong personally sampled a bowl of shark fin soup served by Association President Mr. Chung Yat Kong. While enjoying the soup, she commented enthusiastically, "Delicious, delicious!"
Ms. Wong stated that where restaurants could provide documentation demonstrating that their shark fins had been legally imported and complied with applicable regulations, additional sales restrictions should not be imposed without sufficient justification.
Alice Wong Criticizes Politicization of the Shark Fin Issue
During the press conference and in a subsequent public statement, Ms. Wong criticized certain members of the New Democratic Party (NDP) for their support of municipal shark fin bans.
She argued that the proposed restrictions did not adequately consider the cultural traditions of the Chinese community or the practical concerns of restaurant operators.
Ms. Wong urged those supporting the bans to reconsider their necessity and potential consequences.
She also expressed concern that restricting law-abiding fishing and restaurant businesses would not necessarily address illegal fishing practices or the activities causing genuine harm to marine ecosystems.
Instead, she advocated focusing government resources on protecting endangered species, strengthening enforcement, and combating illegal fishing activities.
Association President Welcomes Federal Government's Position
Association President Mr. Chung Yat Kong expressed his appreciation after receiving a telephone call from Ms. Wong informing him of the federal government's position at the time.
He subsequently contacted Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie by email to communicate the development.
Mr. David Chung believed that the federal government's public position could significantly influence the proposed joint municipal ban and expressed confidence that the coordinated initiative might not proceed.
He explained that if Richmond declined to introduce a shark fin ban, Vancouver and Burnaby might reconsider implementing similar restrictions independently.
Otherwise, consumers wishing to purchase or consume shark fin dishes could simply travel to neighbouring municipalities where such sales remained permitted.
This could disadvantage Chinese restaurants operating in municipalities that had adopted the restrictions, creating unequal competitive conditions across the region.
Mr. David Chung believed that these practical concerns could ultimately undermine the proposed three-city agreement.
On September 18, 2012, Vancouver City Council passed a motion proposing a coordinated ban on shark fin sales involving Vancouver, Richmond, and Burnaby. This proposal raised significant concerns within the Chinese restaurant industry.
In response, the Association's President, Mr. David Chung, together with the Board of Directors and its members, launched a petition campaign opposing the proposed ban on shark fin consumption and sales.
Mr. Chung also sent letters to several municipal mayors, city councillors, and federal Members of Parliament, expressing the industry's concerns and emphasizing that the regulation of shark fin imports and international trade falls under federal jurisdiction rather than municipal authority.
Alice Wong Holds Press Conference to Clarify Federal Position
On October 11, 2012, Richmond Conservative Member of Parliament Alice Wong held a press conference at Jade Restaurant, a seafood restaurant in Richmond operated by Association President Mr. David Chung.
During the press conference, Ms. Wong addressed the controversy surrounding the proposed shark fin ban and outlined the federal government's position at the time.
She emphasized that regulating shark fin imports, ensuring imported fins were not obtained through the cruel practice of shark finning, and protecting endangered shark species were matters within federal jurisdiction.
Ms. Wong questioned the legal justification for municipalities to impose a blanket ban on shark fin sales. She further indicated that if municipal governments proceeded with such bylaws and imposed penalties, the federal government might consider responding through legal channels.
She stressed that the federal government had no intention at that time of introducing a nationwide ban on shark fin sales. She also recognized shark fin as part of traditional Chinese culinary culture and expressed concern that the issue had become excessively politicized.
Federal Government Permitted Legal Shark Fin Imports at the Time
Ms. Wong argued that since the federal government permitted the importation of legally sourced shark fins under the regulations then in effect, municipal governments should not impose additional blanket restrictions without sufficient legal justification.
She noted that Fisheries and Oceans Canada had already established measures governing shark conservation, fisheries management, and related import and export activities, including protections for endangered species and assessments of environmental impacts.
As early as 1994, Canada had introduced fishing licence conditions prohibiting shark finning, the practice of removing a shark's fins and discarding the remainder of its body at sea.
Ms. Wong maintained that municipal bans based solely on environmental arguments raised questions about legal authority and practical enforcement.
Proposed Three-City Ban Could Significantly Affect Chinese Restaurants
Ms. Wong pointed out that although several municipalities in Metro Vancouver had already introduced shark fin restrictions, relatively few restaurants in those communities actually served shark fin dishes. Consequently, the direct economic impact of those bylaws was relatively limited.
However, Vancouver, Richmond, and Burnaby were home to substantial numbers of Chinese restaurants. A coordinated ban across these three cities could therefore have a much greater impact on restaurant operators, employees, and the broader Chinese food service industry.
She believed it was necessary for the federal government to publicly clarify its position and confirm that there were no plans at that time to introduce a nationwide prohibition on shark fin sales.
Following her remarks, Ms. Wong personally sampled a bowl of shark fin soup served by Association President Mr. Chung Yat Kong. While enjoying the soup, she commented enthusiastically, "Delicious, delicious!"
Ms. Wong stated that where restaurants could provide documentation demonstrating that their shark fins had been legally imported and complied with applicable regulations, additional sales restrictions should not be imposed without sufficient justification.
Alice Wong Criticizes Politicization of the Shark Fin Issue
During the press conference and in a subsequent public statement, Ms. Wong criticized certain members of the New Democratic Party (NDP) for their support of municipal shark fin bans.
She argued that the proposed restrictions did not adequately consider the cultural traditions of the Chinese community or the practical concerns of restaurant operators.
Ms. Wong urged those supporting the bans to reconsider their necessity and potential consequences.
She also expressed concern that restricting law-abiding fishing and restaurant businesses would not necessarily address illegal fishing practices or the activities causing genuine harm to marine ecosystems.
Instead, she advocated focusing government resources on protecting endangered species, strengthening enforcement, and combating illegal fishing activities.
Association President Welcomes Federal Government's Position
Association President Mr. Chung Yat Kong expressed his appreciation after receiving a telephone call from Ms. Wong informing him of the federal government's position at the time.
He subsequently contacted Richmond Mayor Malcolm Brodie by email to communicate the development.
Mr. David Chung believed that the federal government's public position could significantly influence the proposed joint municipal ban and expressed confidence that the coordinated initiative might not proceed.
He explained that if Richmond declined to introduce a shark fin ban, Vancouver and Burnaby might reconsider implementing similar restrictions independently.
Otherwise, consumers wishing to purchase or consume shark fin dishes could simply travel to neighbouring municipalities where such sales remained permitted.
This could disadvantage Chinese restaurants operating in municipalities that had adopted the restrictions, creating unequal competitive conditions across the region.
Mr. David Chung believed that these practical concerns could ultimately undermine the proposed three-city agreement.