Vancouver Aquarium suing filmmaker claiming to expose unethical practices

VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – A documentary claiming to blow the lid off less-than-ethical practices at the Vancouver Aquarium is now at the centre of a lawsuit, but it’s not about the accusations made in the film.

The civil suit claims Gary Charbonneau violated copyright by using images from the Vancouver Aquarium’s website and blog without permission and that he violated terms of a filming contract.

Vancouver Aquarium Uncovered‘ claims to expose “cruelty and corruption” in how whales and dolphins are treated at the popular tourist attraction in Stanley Park.

Charbonneau says the lawsuit is just a tactic and he feels the facility is now playing dirty. “You can’t really attack the contents of the film which is why there is no defamation suit and it’s very frivolous and it’s disappointing they would do this but we’ll fight it.”

He doesn’t dispute the accusations made in the online film. “The Vancouver public has to learn that it’s no longer a marine science centre. It’s a corporation and these animals are commodities and they’re treated as such.”

The Aquarium says Charbonneau used “reprehensible, insulting, high-handed, spiteful, malicious and oppressive conduct” and the film is inaccurate and misleading.

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