Pamela Anderson

Juno host uses awards stage to protest seal hunt
Last updated Apr 3 2006 11:57 AM ADT
CBC News
Juno host Pamela Anderson raised the hackles of musicians being honoured at the Halifax awards ceremony by taking a swipe at the East Coast seal hunt.

"I don't mind a little blood on the ice when it's a hockey rink, but I hate seeing blood on the ice when it's from baby seals," Anderson told the crowd of 7,500 in Halifax's Metro Centre.

INDEPTH: Pelts, pups and protest: The Atlantic Seal Hunt
Many in the crowd booed, although a few cheers were audible.

"I can take it, I can take it – I have high heels and they dig in deep," Anderson said in response to the boos.

Anderson is a vocal member of the group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals. While in Halifax on the weekend, she mailed a stack of letters to the Prime Minister's Office demanding the seal hunt be outlawed.

Anderson made fun of her sex-symbol image during the awards ceremony, but some of her jokes fell flat.

"One of my favourite artists couldn't be here tonight. Seal," Anderson said to a round of groans. "He was afraid he might get clubbed to death."

Anderson said at a weekend news conference that supporters of the seal hunt are misinformed.

"I found out so much about it lately. And I just don't think that the communities really even know everything that's going on with some of these things," Anderson said.

"I've just received so much support since I got here and I've only been here today … I haven't seen anyone who's really for it. Never met them."

Alan Doyle, singer with the band Great Big Sea, said Anderson was entitled to express her opinions about the hunt, although he had difficulties with her using the Junos as the platform.

Doyle also said he had troubles with attacks on sealers.

"When people attack personally, it hurts me, and it's the kind of thing I really find hard to stay quiet about," Doyle said.

"They are good and decent people, and they follow the rules."

Musicians did get the last word at the event, however.

FROM APRIL 2, 2006: West Coast crooner Bublé captures 4 Junos
Crooner Michael Bublé received the biggest awards, including top artist, single of the year, and the awards for top album and top pop album. He gave a touching tribute to his family after the ceremony, especially thanking his grandfather for his support.

Singer-songwriter Jann Arden couldn't resist taking a jab at Anderson's politics, to the tremendous applause of the audience. "My bra is entirely made of seal eyelids," she said.

Globe and Mail, Toronto

joseph thibeault from Boston, United States writes: thank you Pamela, for giving an entertainment event a soul and a nation a consciense about this legalized slaughter of seals in their nursery. only if these cruel events are kept in the public scuteny can we have any hope of a better world. thank you for caring about the Oceans' life, which is under attack from unwise commercial practices, climate change and the evil of federal subsidies for every useless industry with a politician in their pocket.
Posted 02/04/06 at 9:42 PM EDT | Link to Comment