Fighting for the Environment
Since Gord got elected in 2015, Gord has been a relentless advocate for the environment in Ottawa. Here are some highlights of what Gord has achieved as part of the NDP team:
Protect our oceans. As former NDP Critic for Fisheries and Oceans, Gord has successfully championed many initiatives to address ocean pollution and protect aquatic species, which included:
- Gained unanimous support in Parliament for a motion to create a national ocean plastics strategy leading to a ban on single-use plastics and annual funding for clean-up and education campaigns.
- Partnered with regional and First Nation governments and local seafood producers to push for the removal of abandoned vessels that threatened local jobs.
- Advocated for the creation of a new federal policy on derelict vessels.
- Work with the shellfish industry and local environmental organizations to create a marking program for fishing gear.
- Pressured the Government to support a moratorium on deep sea mining in international waters.
- Help secure record federal investment in Pacific wild salmon protection and habitat restoration and spoke more on this issue in Parliament than any MP in Canadian history.
- Led efforts to secure reductions of the commercial herring fishery by 50%.
- Helped facilitate the passage of the “Free Willy Bill” (Bill S-203), which banned the captivity of cetaceans, like whales and dolphins.
- Pressure Canada to stop shipping plastic waste to developing countries.
Conserving wild spaces. Gord has worked to preserve valuable ecosystems in Courtenay-Alberni, including:
- Helped secure federal funding to support Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas in Clayoquot Sound and the upper Comox Valley Watershed, as well as the restoration of Kus-kus-sum.
- Helped secure funding for a new UNESCO Biosphere Centre in Tofino.
- Hosted Biosphere Day on the Hill and help secure long-term annual funding for designated Canadian UNESCO Biosphere Regions.
- Advocated for conservation financing to create new protected and conserved areas.
Acting on Climate. Gord has pushed for action on the climate crisis and a just transition to a net-zero future, including:
- Tabled a Private Member’s Bill calling for a national cycling strategy which led to the creation of a $400 million Federal Active Transportation Fund.
- Assisted Hesquiaht First Nation secure federal funding to transition from diesel to clean energy.
- Secured passage of the Sustainable Jobs Act to support workers in the transition to a net-zero economy.
- Served as Co-Chair of the All-Party Climate Caucus since 2019.
Gord’s job is not done. He continues to work hard every day to build a cleaner, greener future for Courtenay-Alberni.
For more information on Gord’s record, visit openparliament.ca, an independent website that helps you “Keep tabs on parliament”