Instead of promoting the April 4 release of his new album Ringleader Of The Tormentors, former Smith singer Morrissey has decided to protest Canada's annual seal hunt which reportedly claims the lives of 325,000 baby seals. Morrissey will show his displeasure with Canada's animal rights policies by refusing to visit the country during his upcoming tour.

"I fully realize that the absence of any Morrissey concerts in Canada is unlikely to bring the Canadian economy to its knees," the singer humbly acknowledged. "But it is our small protest against this horrific slaughter."

The first single from Morrissey's new album, ironically titled "You Have Killed Me," was released yesterday in the U.K., presumably a more harp seal friendly country. It will be released in the United States today.