|
For immediate release
Donnelly to seek NDP nomination in New Westminster-Coquitlam
Fin Donnelly, a Coquitlam city councillor and well-known environmental advocate, announced today that he will seek the NDP nomination to run for Member of Parliament for New Westminster-Coquitlam.
Donnelly has strong roots in all parts of the riding, which encompasses New Westminster, Coquitlam and Port Moody.
“I was born at St. Mary’s Hospital and swam with the Hyacks in New Westminster,” Donnelly notes. “I lived the first half of my life in Port Moody, and now live and work in Coquitlam. I also run a non-profit organization focused on improving the health of the Fraser River.”
Donnelly says he feels now is the right time to make the move to federal politics and the NDP is a natural fit.
Donnelly has a number of high profile people supporting his nomination, including former MLA John Cashore and David Driscoll, a former mayor and long time resident of Port Moody.
“Fin Donnelly’s announcement is exciting and inspiring,” Cashore says. “His strong community and environmental values have brought a fresh approach during his seven years as a Coquitlam councillor.”
Driscoll has known Donnelly since he was a young boy and has been keenly supportive of Donnelly since he entered politics in 2002.
“Fin understands that building strong communities means collaborating between the public, private and community sectors,” Driscoll says. “In these times of economic and ecological uncertainty, Fin can be relied upon to advocate for public policy options that build a future in which we all prosper.”
During his seven years on Coquitlam city council, Donnelly made a name for himself as a strong and effective community advocate who championed issues such as the environment, a healthy community and a vibrant local economy.
Donnelly has also served for the past 13 years as the Executive Director of the Rivershed Society of British Columbia, a non-profit organization he founded after his first 1400 km Fraser River swim in 1995.
Donnelly says he knows he has big shoes to fill. “Dawn Black wasn’t just any Member of Parliament in Ottawa, she was a force to be reckoned with,” Donnelly says.
“As the next Member of Parliament, I will continue that proud tradition, ensuring that the values and priorities of New West-Coquitlam are well represented in Ottawa, and that important issues like sustainability, liveable communities and economic development are front and centre on the federal agenda.”
A date for the NDP nomination will be near the end of June. |
