Eat Your Words 2015

MLA, Fredericton South

David Coon, leader of the Green Party of New Brunswick, was elected to the Legislative Assembly by the people of Fredericton South on September 22, 2014. Mr. Coon, his wife, Janice Harvey, and daughters, Laura and Caroline, live in Skyline Acres, in Fredericton.After earning a science degree at McGill University, Mr. Coon worked as an environmental educator, organizer, activist and organization manager for 33 years, 28 of those years with the Conservation Council of New Brunswick (CCNB). He began his career providing education and training in energy efficient home renovations and home-based renewable energy systems. While at the Conservation Council, Mr. Coon’s campaign for the legal protection of municipal drinking water supplies led to the enactment of New Brunswick's Clean Water Act. His work to protect private wells from gasoline contamination resulted in the creation of the Petroleum Product Handling and Storage Regulation. This safe drinking water advocacy earned CCNB the United Nations Environmental Programme's Global 500 Award. Mr. Coon’s expertise in sustainable energy systems was brought to bear in the establishment of Efficiency New Brunswick, the regulation requiring NB Power to source electricity from renewable sources, and in the development of New Brunswick's first climate action plan. He received the silver medallion from the Canadian Environmental Achievement Awards for his work to advance public policy on climate change, both provincially and nationally.Mr. Coon has been a relentless advocate for community-based ecological resource management and land use. In collaboration with fishermen's organizations, he spearheaded an effort to create the Bay of Fundy Fisheries Council to advance community-based approaches to fisheries management. He also collaborated with the National Farmers Union to create the first agricultural conservation club in New Brunswick, and he has worked with communities and woodworkers to advocate for the establishment of community-based forests on Crown lands.He was a founding director of Harvest Share Co-operative in Keswick Ridge, Canada's first community supported agricultural initiative. He is a founder of the New Brunswick Community Land Trust and is past director of the Ganong Nature Park. He is active in the United Church of Canada and studied to be a licensed lay worship leader. Mr. Coon was born in Toronto, and raised in Dollard-Des Ormeaux, Québec.