Paul Watson, an anti-whaling activist known as one of the founding members of Greenpeace, is finally getting back his Canadian passport, four years after it was mysteriously revoked by the Harper government.
Watson, who now lives in France, told National Observer he received the passport on Monday after a long ordeal that included several battles with the former Conservative government, thanks to a bit of help from Green Party Leader Elizabeth May.
“They took it away from me in 2012. So it’s taken four years to get it back and I never did get a single explanation as to why," Watson said. "I don't have any criminal charges against me in Canada so it doesn’t make any sense.”
Watson, who was involved with early Greenpeace activist missions more than 40 years ago, has long warned that humans need to do more to protect the oceans to survive as a species. He later split away from Greenpeace in the 1970s and at times has criticized his former colleagues for not doing more to promote conservation.
Some critics, including members of the former Conservative government, accused Watson of being part of a "radical activist group" that engages in "reckless" behaviour with no regard for Canadian and international law. The office of former public safety minister Vic Toews had said in 2012 that anyone who knew where Watson was should contact Interpol immediately.
Anti-whaling activist Paul Watson gets back his Canadian passport, four years after Harper revoked it | National Observer
Watson, who now lives in France, told National Observer he received the passport on Monday after a long ordeal that included several battles with the former Conservative government, thanks to a bit of help from Green Party Leader Elizabeth May.
“They took it away from me in 2012. So it’s taken four years to get it back and I never did get a single explanation as to why," Watson said. "I don't have any criminal charges against me in Canada so it doesn’t make any sense.”
Watson, who was involved with early Greenpeace activist missions more than 40 years ago, has long warned that humans need to do more to protect the oceans to survive as a species. He later split away from Greenpeace in the 1970s and at times has criticized his former colleagues for not doing more to promote conservation.
Some critics, including members of the former Conservative government, accused Watson of being part of a "radical activist group" that engages in "reckless" behaviour with no regard for Canadian and international law. The office of former public safety minister Vic Toews had said in 2012 that anyone who knew where Watson was should contact Interpol immediately.
Anti-whaling activist Paul Watson gets back his Canadian passport, four years after Harper revoked it | National Observer
