OTTAWA — Leader of the Green Party, Elizabeth May (MP, Saanich-Gulf Islands) has appointed George Orr (candidate for North Vancouver) as critic for west coast fisheries on the party’s Shadow Cabinet. The Shadow Cabinet develops party positions based on policies adopted by Green Party membership.

Mr. Orr is a filmmaker and journalist whose work documenting the crisis unfolding in the west coast salmon fisheries resulted in an award-winning documentary, Against The Current. Broadcast nationally, the film was the first to focus on the fate of Canada’s sockeye salmon, First Nations and the looming climate crisis. His extensive coverage of the coastal fisheries issues gave him considerable insight and context into the challenges facing the salmon.

"The west coast salmon fishery suffers because there is no political commitment to do what the science tells us must be done,” said Orr. “Appeasement is no way to run a salmon fishery now in danger. It’s time for Green science-based policies respectful of this grand species with an eye to restoration that will start with a coast-wide round table".

The Green Party recognizes that preservation and restoration of the wild salmon stock must be a priority if there is any hope of this remarkable species returning to its place of dominance in the life and culture of the people of the Pacific northwest.

“George will be a valuable advocate for west coast fisheries,“ said Ms May. “Looking at the wild salmon situation through the lens of his documentary is insightful. This is a crisis that must be solved. Greens will collaborate with coastal First Nations and local communities to restore the salmon, and ensure urgent protection for their habitat.”

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For more information or to arrange an interview contact:

Rosie Emery

Press Secretary

613-562-4916x206

rosie.emery@greenparty.ca