Trudeau non-committal on funding B.C. First Nation's orca rescue efforts
The B.C. First Nation involved in the ongoing effort to rescue a stranded killer whale calf on Vancouver Island has asked the government for financial support – but Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was non-committal when asked about the request Friday.
Several weeks into the collaborative effort to help the orphaned calf – named kʷiisaḥiʔis, or Brave Little Hunter – to escape a remote tidal lagoon near the community of Zeballos, the Ehattesaht Nation has launched an online fundraiser seeking $500,000 to recoup mounting costs.
"Since her arrival, kʷiisaḥiʔis has become part of the Ehattesaht family," the GoFundMe reads. "But our family is small and we are learning to understand our own limitations so we are asking both the federal and provincial governments to support us."
Trudeau was asked about funding the nation's efforts – which are happening in co-ordination with staff from the Vancouver Aquarium and Fisheries and Oceans Canada – during an event at the Univeristy of Victoria, but only promised the federal government would "continue to engage" with the community.
"I think we're all following this story attentively," Trudeau said. "It is heartbreaking, and we're all worried."
A contour map of the Little Espinosa Inlet, where a two-year-old female orca calf is stranded in a lagoon in an area where her pregnant mother died nearly four weeks ago, is seen during a meeting at the Ehattesaht First Nation's band office, in Zeballos, B.C., Thursday, April 18, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chad Hipolito
The Ehattesaht Nation said the partners involved in the rescue have been "limitless in their response," and that it has been "overwhelmed by offers of equipment and ideas from around the world" – but said mounting costs are still putting a strain on its finances.
"Everything is expensive here and we can no longer carry all of the burden," the fundraiser reads. "We can give our time in being part of the crews, of feeding everyone, of housing them but as this carries on we are having to adjust our budgets and make sure that we are all in this with good intention and with a good heart."
In a statement, NDP MP Rachel Blaney, who represents the North Island-Powell River riding where the lagoon is located, called on Trudeau help the Ehattesaht fund the ongoing effort.
"Many of the First Nation communities in the region are reaching out to offer support. The prime minister should see the collaborative nature of all people in the region and commit to providing financial support," Blaney said.
There have been a number of rescue attempts since the calf and its pregnant mother – which died before it could be moved – became stranded last month.
The latest effort involves a large seine fishing vessel capable of casting a net strong enough to hold the nearly 700-kilogram calf.
With files from The Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW Biscuits with possible plastic pieces, metal found in ground pork: Here are the recalls for this week
Here are the latest recalls Canadians should watch out for, according to Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
More than half of Canadians say freedom of speech is under threat, new poll suggests
A new poll suggests a majority of Canadians feel their right to freedom of speech is in danger.
Britney Spears 'home and safe' after paramedics responded to an incident at the Chateau Marmont, source tells CNN
A source close to singer Britney Spears tells CNN that the pop star is 'home and safe' after she had a 'major fight' with her boyfriend on Wednesday night at the Chateau Marmont in West Hollywood.
Police move in to clear NYU encampment, U.S. campus arrests grow to 2,200 in pro-Palestinian protests
Police moved in to clear an encampment at New York University on Friday at the request of school officials, a move that follows weeks of pro-Palestinian protests at college campuses nationwide that have resulted in nearly 2,200 arrests by police.
Feds giving Toronto more than $104M to host 2026 FIFA World Cup
The federal government will provide Toronto just over $104 million in funding to host the 2026 FIFA World Cup.
Wally, the emotional support alligator once denied entry to a baseball game, is missing
Emotional support animal registrations in the United States reached 115,832 last year, by an industry group’s count. But in the eyes of reptile rescuer Joie Henney, there’s only one: 'Wally Gator.'
Parents of infant who died in wrong-way crash on Ontario's Hwy. 401 were in same vehicle
Ontario’s Special Investigations Unit has released new details about a wrong-way collision in Whitby on Monday night that claimed the lives of four people.
Drew Barrymore explains how she accidentally left a list of her romantic partners at Danny DeVito's house
Danny DeVito had the opportunity to know way more about Drew Barrymore than the rest of us.
'Bare-adise' adventure: This nude cruise is due to set sail from Miami in 2025
What do you need to pack for a cruise? When it comes to this upcoming cruise from tour and travel company Bare Necessities, the answer appears to be very little.