By Spiro Papuckoski

Copyright torontosun

“To approve the request would have meant a continued life in captivity and a return to public entertainment,” Thompson said.

If the request had been allowed, the belugas would have been sent to the Chimelong Ocean Kingdom theme park.

Thompson said she was angered that the health of the whales has deteriorated after living a life in captivity.

“As Canadians, we know that whales belong in the ocean, not in tanks for our amusement,” she said. “I could not in good conscience approve an export that would perpetuate the treatment these belugas have endured.”

A spokesperson for Marineland, speaking on background to Postmedia, denied that there were any other options for the whales. They downplayed the idea of a sanctuary in Nova Scotia as unfeasible.

Marineland, which typically closes for fall and winter and reopens in the spring, did not open this year to the public.