Flaws in Toronto's Shark Fin Ban

The banning of shark fin today in Toronto has been met with mixed reviews.  Toronto city council has voted to ban the sale of shark fin on a proposal that passed  by 38 to 4.

If some of you are unaware of the delicacy of shark fins, they are often used in a thick, gooey soup often served at Chinese weddings.   If you don't live in the Greater Toronto Area or was just unaware of the issue, the banning of shark fins have been an ongoing debate between Torontonians because while the soup is a traditional dish, supporters of the ban say sharks are killed inhumanely and often thrown into the ocean alive after their fins are cut off.

As a Chinese Canadian, I would first of all like to say that I am not a big fan of shark meat.  I've tried shark fin soup a couple of times at weddings and celebrations, but it is honestly nothing special to me.  In fact, I have choosen to refuse the soup at risk of supporting the way sharks are slaughtered in the process.

  While I do not support the inhumane killing of sharks, I see some flaws in this new ban. According to news sources such as CBC, Toronto Star and Globe & Mail, they all clearly state that shark fin is banned.

However, there is no word on shark meat being banned.  So does this mean eating shark is still allowed?

On another note, I'd like to make it clear that only Toronto's city council voted for a ban on shark fins.  What about other parts of the GTA?

 As a resident living on the border of Scarborough and Markham, it's no secret that that area is filled with Chinese immigrants.  If not Richmond Hill (which is also in the GTA), Markham probably has the biggest population of Chinese people in Ontario.

Considering this fact, it won't make a HUGE difference to Chinese people living in Toronto as they'll just flock to Markham and Richmond Hill for shark fin anyway.

So, what's the point now?

Now I know it may sound contradictory for saying that I am happy the ban is officially passed in my city, I still  feel there should be clearer guidelines with this law.

Here's the way I see it.  If such a ban is proposed, there should probably be a ban on shark meat as a whole to prevent people from killing sharks.

And in terms of accessibility, people are still going to find ways to eat shark fin soup.  If there's only a ban in Toronto and not other regions in the GTA, why not make this a provincial or national issue?

What do you think?  Are there flaws in this issue or not?  Discuss.

Images taken from: here, and here.  

Going to work: A Chinese Holiday Ritual

Well, it's been over a week since Chinese New Year started, and I honestly don't quite know when it ends. I would like to say it probably ended already, but seeing that the festivities are going into the weekend, I guess it really lasts for two weeks?

Either way, I'm not too serious about it. Unlike other cultures who may celebrate Christmas on a different day, have a special Easter, or have their own New Year's holidays...Chinese people will never give themselves a break.

Never in elementary school or high school have I ever skipped school for the New Year. And why should I? It's just one of those holidays when you REALLY celebrate during the weekend.

I don't even know if I'm making sense here, but the point of this post is:  Chinese people are always working too hard!

During Christmas while every western store, mall, library and restaurant were closed...the Chinese ones remained open.  I live a three minute drive away from Pacific Mall, notably Toronto's most well-known Asian mall...and when we drove by on Christmas day, the parking lot was almost as crowded as the DVP during rush hour.

And having been inside during several random weekends, I didn't even want to know what it would be like inside.

But since it's Chinese New Year, one WOULD think that Chinese people would close down their stores for once and take a breather.

But they don't.

Instead, they're in their stores and restaurants, working harder than ever, happier than ever...AND LOUDER THAN EVER.

Don't get me wrong, there's nothing bad about working too hard. Chinese people strive for success and look out for ways to be honoured.  I mean who doesn't?  I guess it's just that Chinese people are extra-determined. 

I've got to admit though, many of these traits are instilled in me.  I have always been a very driven individual, and I rarely let anything stop me from reaching those goals. Some may call it being stubborn, but in the end, I always do end up getting what I want...in some way or another (even if it's not the ideal way...)

WOW, I realize I sounded really snobby and spoiled over there, but all I meant was that sheer determination will always get me where I want to be. 

And that's what I think most Chinese people think as well.

But really, when isn't Pacific Mall crowded?

And since I can't find a picture of me in Chinese attire, here's an old gem from Grade 9.