If you want to solve a problem, it’s best to know the issue intimately. And few know – or love – the Fraser River more than Fin Donnelly. Fin has twice swam the entire 1400 kilometre length of the Fraser, from its headwaters in Mount Robson Provincial Park to where it enters the ocean in Vancouver. In fact, Fin has swam 3200 kilometres of BC’s rivers, lakes and coastline to help raise awareness about their value to nature, culture and the economy. It’s what led Fin to founding the Rivershed Society. It’s also what sparked his desire to take his message from civil society to the council chambers of where he lives, and eventually to the House of Commons as an MP and finally to the BC legislature as an MLA.
Fin met with us to share why his passion for the Fraser River still burns bright, and why we all need to join the debate on the future of our riversheds.
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What do you think?
- What did you learn from Fin’s story?
- Should we be dedicating more resources to protect rivers and nature in order to sustain our economy?
- Should we focus on helping our economy in order to create the resources – and political support – needed to protect nature?
- How critical is it to listen to those we disagree with, especially when debating an issue as complex as the health of our rivers?
- Politicians get reviews whether they like it or not. Should more of us seek out the opinions of others?
- How do you think we should balance economic growth and the protection of biodiversity?