December 5th 2017 - Bill S-238, Ban on Shark Fin Importation Act -Senator Michael L. MacDonald, Sponsor of the Bill
Senator Poirier: I have never had shark fin soup, so I don’t know where it is sold or where you can buy it. If I understood correctly, you have said that the shark fin is not eaten, it is just for decorative purposes, right?
Senator MacDonald: For texture; that is right.
Senator Poirier: Why do they need the shark fin in the soup?
Senator MacDonald: They probably don’t. They can use something else for texture, but it is a cultural thing and a status thing. That is it why it has erupted the way it has and taken on a life of its own.
Senator Poirier: Where is it sold in Canada?
Senator MacDonald: You will find it in restaurants in some of the major urban areas in Canada and throughout Southeast Asia. Full disclosure here: I have had shark fin soup. I didn’t know it until afterwards. I said, “That wasn’t too bad. What was it?” They told me and I said, “I wish you had told me beforehand.” That was a few years ago. I certainly would know better now.
The major urban centres in Canada — Toronto and Vancouver.
Senator Poirier: And they can’t make it without the fin?
Senator Plett: It is called shark fin soup.
Senator Poirier: But he said you don’t eat it, it is just for a decorative purpose.
Senator Plett: No, you eat it.
Senator Poirier: You eat it. Then it is not just for decorative purposes. That is good; I wanted to clarify.
Senator MacDonald: They use it for texture.
Senator Poirier: So you do eat it?
Senator MacDonald: I don’t eat it. I would drink the broth. I wouldn’t eat the cartilage.
Senator Poirier: That is all I wanted to know.