Fighting for the Environment
Gord Johns, MP (Courtenay-Alberni)
Since his election 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:
Protecting our oceans. As former NDP Critic for Fisheries and Oceans, Gord has successfully championed many initiatives to address ocean pollution and protect aquatic species, including:
- Gaining 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.
- Partnering with regional and First Nations governments and local seafood producers to push for the removal of abandoned vessels that threatened local jobs.
- Advocating for the creation of a new federal policy on derelict vessels.
- Working with the shellfish industry and local environmental organizations to create a marking program for fishing gear.
- Pressuring the Government to support a moratorium on deep sea mining in international waters.
- Helping secure record federal investment in Pacific wild salmon protection and habitat restoration and speaking more on this issue in Parliament than any MP in Canadian history.
- Leading efforts to secure reductions of the commercial herring fishery by 50%.
- Helping facilitate the passage of the “Free Willy Bill” (Bill S-203), which banned the captivity of cetaceans, like whales and dolphins.
- Pressuring Canada to stop shipping plastic waste to developing countries.
Conserving wild spaces. Gord has worked to preserve valuable ecosystems in Courtenay-Alberni, including:
- Helping 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 Kuuskuusum.
- Helping secure funding for a new UNESCO Biosphere Centre in Tofino.
- Hosting Biosphere Day on the Hill and helping secure long-term annual funding for designated Canadian UNESCO Biosphere Regions.
- Advocating for conservation financing to create new protected and conserved areas.
Acting on climate. Gord and the NDP have pushed for action on the climate crisis and a just transition to a net-zero future, including:
- Tabling a Private Member’s Bill calling for a national cycling strategy which led to the creation of a $400 million federal Active Transportation Fund.
- Assisting Hesquiaht First Nation secure federal funding to transition from diesel to clean energy.
- Securing passage of the Sustainable Jobs Act to support workers in the transition to a net zero economy.
- Serving 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”.