Today, I pay tribute to the late Hon. John Fraser, a distinguished parliamentarian, and a true Conservative pioneer in Canada’s environmental movement. Fraser’s dedication to Canada’s environmental stewardship began long before his tenure as The Speaker.
Representing the federal riding of Vancouver South in Parliament, Fraser served with distinction from 1972 to 1979 and again from 1980 to 1993. As Canada’s 31st Speaker of the House of Commons (1986 to 1987) Fraser’s tenure left an indelible mark on our nation’s history.
Throughout his parliamentary career, Fraser was a passionate advocate for environmental conservation, recognizing the importance of protecting Canada’s environment for future generations. Fraser is remembered as a kind, passionate and visionary leader who was keen on protecting salmon and the environment.
Fraser led by example and initiated the “Greening of the Hill” that saw the distribution of the first blue boxes for recycling in the offices of every parliamentarian in Ottawa and across the country. His environmental plan was called “The Green Plan”. It encouraged parliamentarians and citizens alike to be good stewards of the environment by embracing simple but important changes in everyday activities. These changes have helped protect our environment then, now, and into the future.
Today, as we reflect on the Hon. John Fraser’s remarkable contributions to Canada, let us remember his unwavering commitment to environmental sustainability, and his enduring legacy as a pioneer in conservative politics.