News

Actor calls on Canadians to back new regulations on fish farms to prevent pathogen spread
Amy Minsky, Canwest News Service

BRYN WEESE PARLIAMENTARY BUREAU

If -- or when -- William Shatner becomes Canada's next governor general, it's safe to say he'll put his vice-regal resources towards saving B.C.'s wild salmon.

The 79-year-old Canadian-born actor teleported (sorry, telephoned) his support from Los Angeles Thursday behind NDP MP Fin Donnelly's private member's bill to tackle the problems of fish farming on the West Coast.

SUNNY DHILLON, THE CANADIAN PRESS\

William Shatner wants British Columbia's wild salmon to live long and prosper.

The Canadian icon, made famous for his work as Capt. James T. Kirk in the "Star Trek" series, has waded into efforts to protect wild fish from sea lice.

B.C. aquaculture critics have long accused farmed fish of spreading parasites to wild stocks.

CANADA IN BRIEF

VANCOUVER (CP) - William Shatner is hoping B.C.'s wild salmon live long and prosper.

The Canadian actor made famous for his work as Capt. James T. Kirk in the Star Trek series has joined efforts to protect the West Coast's wild salmon from potential sea lice.

Shatner beamed his way into a conference call with federal New Democrat Fisheries and Oceans critic Fin Donnelly and says it's our duty as Canadians to keep our resources from being destroyed.

Canwest News Services

For the man who can seduce blond aliens at will and fend off hordes of angry Klingons, saving British Columbia's wild salmon should be no problem at all.

Actor William Shatner, who played Captain Kirk in the original Star Trek TV series and movies, will be among those talking about ways to protect the fish at an event in Ottawa this week.

Shatner will join, via phone from Los Angeles, NDP MP Fin Donnelly, marine biologist Alexandra

Celebrity Briefs
Compiled Paul O'Brien From Hamilton Spectator news services

... William Shatner is hoping B.C.'s wild salmon live long and prosper. The Canadian actor made famous for his work as Captain Kirk in the Star Trek series has joined efforts to protect the West Coast's wild salmon from potential sea lice. Shatner beamed his way into a conference call with NDP Fisheries and Oceans critic Fin Donnelly and says it's a duty for Canadians to keep resources from being destroyed ...

By Monte Paulsen, Tyee June 10, 2010 12:05 pm

Having spent much of the week fending off rumours of a merger with the Klingons, the New Democratic Party announced on Thursday that William Shatner will help save British Columbia's wild salmon.

"Canadian film and television icon William Shatner has thrown his support behind New Democrat Fisheries and Oceans Critic Fin Donnelly’s efforts to save British Columbia’s wild salmon," states the NDP release.

NDP nets William Shatner in bid to save wild salmon

Gloria Galloway

You knew he cared about the Klingons – though perhaps not in a positive way. But fish?

William Shatner will speak in defence of British Columbia’s wild salmon at a press conference on Thursday that is being organized by the NDP. Mr. Shatner will actually be calling in from Los Angeles as opposed to appearing in person.

But the New Democrats are still pretty proud of their ability to convince a star to back their cause.

Mr. Fin Donnelly (New Westminster—Coquitlam, NDP):
Mr. Speaker, Canada has the longest coastline on Earth and I rise today to draw attention to World Oceans Day.

As Canadians watch the gulf coast catastrophe unfold, it becomes overwhelmingly evident that concrete action must be taken now to protect our oceans.

Mr Speaker: