World'Free Willy' ban makes it illegal to hold dolphins, whales in captivity in Canada

© Jonathan Hayward/Canadian Press via AP, FILE Two young girls watch as a Beluga whale tries to catch air bubbles as she swims at the Vancouver Aquarium in Stanley Park, Aug. 3, 2010.

Canada is making strides to help protect marine life.

The country's House of Commons passed a bill Monday that makes it illegal to keep a whale, dolphin or porpoise in captivity.

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Bill S-203, nicknamed the "Free Willy" bill after the iconic 1993 movie that portrayed a boy freeing an Orca whale from an amusement park, applies to those who own or have custody or control of a cetacean in captivity. People who breed or impregnate a cetacean or possess/seek to obtain reproductive materials of cetaceans, including sperm or an embryo, were also included in the bill.

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Canada is making strides to help protect marine life. The country's House of Commons passed a bill Monday that makes it illegal to keep a whale , dolphin or porpoise in captivity . Bill S-203, nicknamed the " Free Willy " bill after the iconic 1993 movie that portrayed a boy freeing an Orca whale from an

Canada has made it illegal to catch and hold whales , dolphins and porpoises in captivity . On June 10, Canada ’s House of Commons passed Bill At the moment, Canada has two facilities that hold whales or dolphins in captivity : the Vancouver Aquarium, which houses a dolphin named Helen

© Universal Images Group via Getty A killer whale breaches the surface near Vancouver Island, Canada, Sept. 15, 2017.

Offenders can be fined up to $200,000.

The Ending the Captivity of Whales and Dolphins Act makes exceptions for cetaceans that are rescued or are in rehabilitation and for researchers who obtain a license from the government.

"A person may move a live cetacean from its immediate vicinity when the cetacean is injured or in distress and is in need of assistance," the bill states.

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Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Monday that the country will ban single-use plastics, such as bags and straws, as early as 2021, according to The Associated Press.

Venezuela says closing consulates in Canada

Venezuela has announced it will close its consulates in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal, leaving only its embassy in Ottawa to handle its affairs in Canada. Citing the principle of reciprocity, the Venezuelan foreign ministry said "it will temporarily stop providing services at its general consulates in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal." "All the functions of Venezuelan diplomacy in Canada will be concentrated at the headquarters of its embassy in Ottawa," it said.

Ex-trainer blasts SeaWorld over orca captivity , woman's mauling death. Former senior trainer says his dream job working with killer whales turned into a nightmare. Interested in Canada ? Add Canada as an interest to stay up to date on the latest Canada news, video, and analysis from ABC News.

Canada ’s ban on captive whales and dolphins will not affect those already in captivity , meaning nearly 60 animals will likely live out their natural lives at Marineland and the Vancouver Aquarium. The so-called ‘ Free Willy ’ bill passed in the Senate Monday will make it illegal to possess whales or

© Paul Chiasson/The Canadian Press via AP Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announces his government's intention to ban single-use plastics as early as 2021 during a news conference in Mont-Saint-Hilaire, Quebec, June 10, 2019.

The specific items to be banned will be determined based on a scientific review, Trudeau said.

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Canada drew inspiration from the European Union's decision in March to impose a ban on single-use plastics to counter pollution in waterways and fields, Trudeau said.

© Lucas Jackson/Reuters, FILE A plastic bag stuck in a tree blows in the wind in New York, April 1, 2019.

"Many other countries are doing that and Canada will be one of them," Trudeau said. "This is a big step but we know can do this for 2021."