NDP by-election candidate takes campaign to the river

MOUNT ROBSON – Fin Donnelly (NDP Candidate for New Westminster-Coquitlam) took to the
Fraser River today on a 25 day tour with ten young leaders from across BC. The group will take a
1,400 km trek down the Fraser River for the Sustainable Living Leadership Program.

As Executive Director of the Rivershed Society of BC, Donnelly was the architect of the program and
has been leading youth tours of the Fraser River for seven years.

“I first had the idea for the project in 2000 when I swam the length of the Fraser River for the second
time” said Donnelly. “This river plays such an integral role in British Columbia; the protection of its
fish, water and wildlife has impacts across BC. This program helps demonstrate those
interconnections to our youth”.

During the month of August, Donnelly will lead the program again while continuing his campaign for
the recently vacated federal seat in New Westminster-Coquitlam and Port Moody. Donnelly has
launched a website for his campaign and plans to post his experiences there as the trip progresses.
“I have always felt strongly about the environment; it is what drew me to municipal politics seven
years ago when I ran for city council in Coquitlam and a strong part of what has inspired me to take
this step in seeking a federal seat,” said Donnelly.

The program has been running for seven years and offers young leaders the opportunity to travel the
length of the Fraser River, from Mount Robson to the Pacific Ocean. During the journey, youth
explore key sustainability concepts such as food security, environmental stewardship and green
economics while meeting with First Nations and other Fraser River community stewards.


Follow Fin's updates from the Fraser River