WITH nearly two decades of experience representing the Coquitlam area, Fin Donnelly made a big splash on Tuesday returning to politics as he was acclaimed the BC NDP candidate in Coquitlam-Burke Mountain.
“I’m thrilled to be joining [Premier] John Horgan’s team to build a recovery that works for everyone,” Fin said. “Like [Provincial Health Officer] Dr. Bonnie Henry said, we may be in different boats but we’re in this storm together.”
To draw attention to the declining health of our rivers, lakes and oceans, Fin swam the 1,400 km length of the Fraser River, once in 1995 and again in 2000. In federal politics, Fin surfed to victory three times as the Member of Parliament representing Coquitlam. As MP he served as the NDP critic for Fisheries and Oceans.
Fin introduced several bills in Parliament including legislation to ban oil tankers off BC’s north coast; transition open-net salmon farms to safe land-based, closed containment and ban the importation of shark fins to Canada, which became law in 2019.
“Fin doesn’t mind swimming against the current when it’s in the interest of the people he serves,” Horgan said. “He will be a FIN-tastic addition to our BC NDP caucus and will represent Coquitlam-Burke Mountain hook, line and sinker.”