by Judi Mcleod
april 12, 2004
The Liquor Control Board of Ontario (LCBO), which albeit indirectly pollutes the livers of those who abuse alcohol, has joined the animal rights lobby.
"Shop at the LCBO during the month of april and help support the efforts to protect endangered animals," says a full-colour, glossy, two-sided, five-page brochure, delivered as an insert with a recent Saturday Toronto Star.
Pictures of the polar bear, rainforest frog, giant panda, red-throated loon, and sea otter are featured as "threatened animals" on the outside of the brochure. Inside, pictures of LCBO bestsellers, Glenfiddich scotch, Canadian Club whisky, Bacardi rum and Smirnoff vodka are lined up to tempt consumers. The leading booze brands serve as the background for the plea: "25 cents from your purchase of these and other select products works to Help Save the animals."
In fine print at the brochure bottom: "0.25 from the sale of each bottle of select products will go to the World Wildlife Fund Canada, to a maximum donation of $500,000."
That’s the money going to WWF from the brisk sale of booze.
Shirts emblazoned with the words, "Don’t say goodbye" over the picture of a Bengal tiger, "available only at the LCBO" are selling for $9.95 apiece. "These beautifully illustrated shirts feature one of four endangered animals (the Dolphin, Vancouver Island Marmot, Polar Bear and Karner Blue Butterfly). "Part of the proceeds from their sale go to World Wildlife Fund of Canada in support of their efforts to save endangered species and to protect their habitats. Collect all four."
The LCBO brochure does not make it clear to whom the other part of the proceeds will go.
according to the website of Freedom for animals, "WWF misleads donors".
"What they tell potential donors: If you love animals, give us money."
"By joining WWF’s rescue team, you will have the satisfaction of knowing you are helping to secure a better future for all (emphasis added) life on earth," says the WWF on its website. "Whether it’s a peregrine falcon soaring overhead or a sea otter playing under the waves of the ocean; a Peary caribou roaming Canada’s North or a Monarch butterfly in your backyard, you will be making a difference for wildlife everywhere. The animals can’t thank you, but we will."
Canadafreepress.com agrees with Freedom for animals’ charge that the wording implies that the animals will be thankful if you donate.
Says Freedom for animals: World Wildlife Fund of Canada, knowing that many Canadians are animal lovers, cleverly promotes themselves as an organization that saves animals’ lives.
"Using appealing pictures of animals, and urging people to help save them, the WWF of Canada convinced over 50,000 Canadians to donate over $15 million in 2001. They are registered as a charity under the animal Protection category."
Freedom for animals is not the only one to take umbrage with WWF. Dr. Patrick Moore, Greenpeace co-founder and chair of the Forest Practices Committee of the Forest alliance of British Columbia, says "since 1996 the once even-keeled WWF is unable to deal with its radical fringe."
The group has become more associated with the more extreme elements of the anti-logging lobby, he says.
WWF, which boasts Prince Phillip as its international president, has alleged ties with the radical People for the Ethical Treatment of animals (PETa).
Why the LCBO, under the jurisdiction of the Ontario Liberal Government, has joined the animal rights activist lobby is a mystery.
Booze and animals don’t mix.
Canada Free Press founding editor Most recent by Judi McLeod is an award-winning journalist with 30 years experience in the print media. Her work has appeared on Newsmax.com, Drudge Report, Foxnews.com, Glenn Beck. Judi can be reached at: judi@canadafreepress.com
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