"As you know, Canada annually opens its eastern waters to commercial seal hunting. The United States and the European Union have been unified in their opposition to the slaughter of seals by passing legislation decades ago to restrict the sale of seal-based products within their borders. … As member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, I will work with my colleagues to ensure that we take the necessary steps to express our outrage with this inhumane measure."

As a member of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations in 2006

"I am a huge animal lover and that includes seals. I think the killing of baby seals is awful and should definitely not be allowed."

"They will be shot, drowned in nets, clubbed, and sometimes even skinned alive. This annual ritual of blood and slaughter of the innocents must be stopped."

"The commercial sealing industry in Canada is perverse and sick. … They club these seals as early as 12 days old, and half the time they hook them and they drag them across the ice. … It's archaic, and it's horrible, and I want it to stop."

"Canada is known as a great nation. … But this is something that leaves a stain on the character of the Canadian people and we don't think that's right. I don't think the vast amount of Canadians think that's right."

"I fully realise that the absence of any Morrissey concerts in Canada is unlikely to bring the Canadian economy to its knees, but it is our small protest against this horrific slaughter — which is the largest slaughter of marine animal species found anywhere on the planet."

"As a proud Canadian who frequently travels abroad, I am alarmed that people are starting to see us as a country more beholden to a pack of greedy hunters and the seal skin fashion whims of a few countries than attentive to the massive international outcry against such a barbaric activity."