David Coon

{{Infobox officeholder

| honorific-prefix =

| name = David Coon

| honorific-suffix = MLA

| image = David Coon 2023 cropped.jpg

| caption = Coon in 2023

| birth_name = David Charles Coon

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1956|10|28}}

| birth_place = Toronto, Ontario

| residence =

| office1 = Leader of the Green Party of New Brunswick

| term_start1 = {{start date|2012|9|21}}

| term_end1 =

| predecessor1 = Greta Doucet (interim)

| successor1 =

| assembly2 = New Brunswick Legislative

| constituency_AM2 = Fredericton South

| term_start2 = {{start date|2014|9|22}}

| term_end2 =

| predecessor2 = Craig LeonardFredericton-Lincoln

| successor2 =

| constituency2 =

| party = Green

| occupation =

| education = McGill University (BSc, 1978)

| spouse = Janice Harvey

| children = 2

}}

David Charles Coon {{post-nominals|country=CAN|MLA}} (born October 28, 1956) is a Canadian conservationist and politician who has served as leader of the Green Party of New Brunswick since 2012 and as a Member of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick for Fredericton South since 2014.

Born in Toronto, Ontario, Coon was raised in Montreal, Quebec, where he graduated from high school. He later graduated from McGill University and received a diploma from Vanier College, and began working with the Conservation Council of New Brunswick. Having previously done work with the Green Party of Canada, Coon entered provincial politics full-time in 2012 after being elected to lead the Green Party of New Brunswick, which was formed just four years prior.

Coon joined the 58th Legislature after being elected to represent the newly contested provincial electoral district of Fredericton South in 2014, becoming the first ever Green legislative member in New Brunswick and the second provincial Green politician in Canada to win a seat in a provincial legislature. He was re-elected in 2018 and again in 2020. Following an electoral redistribution in 2023, Coon's elected riding was replaced with two new electoral districts; he was elected in the new riding of Fredericton-Lincoln in the 2024 provincial election.

Early life and education

David Charles Coon{{cite web |title=Conference of the Parties: Provisional list of participants |url=https://unfccc.int/resource/docs/2015/cop21/eng/misc02p01.pdf |publisher=United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change |access-date=16 May 2024 |location=Paris |page=64 |date=1 December 2015}} was born on October 28, 1956, in Toronto, Ontario,{{cite news |last1=McHardie |first1=Daniel |title=Green Party Leader David Coon |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/nbvotes2018/green-party-leader-david-coon-1.2730944 |access-date=16 May 2024 |work=CBC News |date=11 August 2014}} the eldest child of Charles Coon and Iris Page.{{cite web |title=Fredericton South - David Coon, Green Party Leader and Elected MLA |url=https://www.greenpartynb.ca/fredericton_south |website=Green Party of New Brunswick |access-date=June 1, 2024 |language=en}} He spent his childhood in Montreal, Quebec,{{cite news |title=A look at New Brunswick's third-party leaders |url=https://toronto.citynews.ca/2018/09/20/a-look-at-new-brunswicks-third-party-leaders/ |access-date=16 May 2024 |work=The Canadian Press |publisher=CityNews |date=20 September 2018 |language=en}} where he graduated from high school.{{cite news |last1=Saint-Cyr |first1=Jean |title=David Coon: la vocation environnementale |url=https://www.acadienouvelle.com/chroniques/2014/09/12/david-coon-vocation-environnementale/ |access-date=16 May 2024 |work=Acadie Nouvelle |date=12 September 2014 |language=fr-FR}} Coon later attended McGill University, primarily studying ecology, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in 1978. Coon later reflected that "while I was at McGill a Green Peace chapter was started there which I got very involved in."{{cite news |title=Lifelong respect for the earth |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/413293135 |access-date=June 1, 2024 |work=The Daily Gleaner |date=October 17, 2009|id={{ProQuest|413293135}} }} He additionally attended Vanier College, where he received a Pure and Applied Science diploma.{{cite news |last1=Berry |first1=Shawn |title=David Coon wants to lead N.B. Green party |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/1026665786 |access-date=16 May 2024 |work=The Daily Gleaner |date=18 July 2012|id={{ProQuest|1026665786}} }} In 1985, Coon later moved to New Brunswick and started working with the Conservation Council of New Brunswick (CCNB),{{cite news |title=A few words from those who know him well |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/413232030 |access-date=June 1, 2024 |work=The Daily Gleaner |date=October 17, 2009|id={{ProQuest|413232030}} }} serving as its policy director.{{cite journal |last1=Boatright |first1=Robert G. |title=Cross-Border Interest Group Learning in Canada and the United States |journal=American Review of Canadian Studies |date=13 November 2009 |volume=39 |issue=4 |pages=418–437 |doi=10.1080/02722010903319137 |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/1283745045 |access-date=June 1, 2024|id={{ProQuest|1283745045}} |url-access=subscription }}

Conservation career

Coon worked as an environmental educator, organizer, activist and manager for 33 years, 28 of those years with the CCNB.{{cite web|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/david-coon-paris-climate-1.3332324|title=David Coon heads to Paris for UN climate change conference|date=24 November 2015|publisher=CBC|access-date=25 November 2015}}{{cite web|url=http://greenpartynb.ca/en/leader/david-coon|title=David Coon|last=Coon|first=David|publisher=Green Party of New Brunswick|language=en|access-date=25 November 2015|location=Fredericton, New Brunswick|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151126073210/http://greenpartynb.ca/en/leader/david-coon|archive-date=26 November 2015|url-status=dead}}

In 1986, Coon critiqued a United States Department of Energy-proposed nuclear waste dump site near Maine's Bottle Lake, stating that "burying this stuff at Bottle Lake is an inexpensive and rough way of getting these things out of sight and out of mind."{{cite news |title=Borders crossed over waste sites |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/calgary-herald/148683092/ |access-date=June 4, 2024 |work=Calgary Herald |agency=The Canadian Press |date=April 6, 1986 |page=18}} He also criticized Irving Oil for having "not shown much interest in trying to solve the pollution problem" in relation to a series of gas leak incidents causing pollution throughout New Brunswick, particularly in the Saint John area.{{cite news |title=Serious problem growing in underground New Brunswick |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/north-bay-nugget/148683207/ |access-date=June 4, 2024 |work=North Bay Nugget |agency=The Canadian Press |date=April 26, 1986 |page=17}}{{cite news |title=Gas leak dangers growing: report |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/red-deer-advocate/148683508/ |access-date=June 4, 2024 |work=Red Deer Advocate |agency=The Canadian Press |date=April 26, 1986 |page=8}} In 1988, following an apology towards Canadians by Vermont official Jonathan Lash for the lack of U.S. progress to combat acid rain, Coon criticized the governments of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia for "causing much of the acid rain problem in their provinces." He added that "approximately 80% of the acid rain-causing pollution emitted in the Atlantic Provinces is caused by the New Brunswick Power Commission and the Nova Scotia Power Corporation," also highlighting that both "have plans for new coal-fired power plants." Sharing the risk of acid rain in the region, Coon pointed out 175 bodies of water in New Brunswick "known to be at risk from acid rain" and added that "half the lakes and rivers in southern Nova Scotia are deteriorating."{{cite news |title=Vermont official blames Reagan for acid rain |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/niagara-falls-review/148682633/ |access-date=June 4, 2024 |work=Niagara Falls Review |agency=The Canadian Press |date=June 1, 1988 |page=7}}

As part of the CCNB, Coon was also involved in the anti-nuclear movement in New Brunswick which opposed the construction and subsequent upgrades of the nuclear reactor at the Point Lepreau Nuclear Generating Station. In 1989, Coon stated that "the mere possibility of a serious accident with the reactor or radioactive waste stored at the site is too great a risk to justify expansion of nuclear power in the province," further adding that "It's one of the newest and it cost us a billion dollars – it better work."{{cite news |title=Anti-nuclear activists unimpressed |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/star-phoenix/148681377/ |access-date=June 4, 2024 |work=Star-Phoenix |date=January 14, 1989 |page=34}}

In 2002, Coon received the New Brunswick Environmental Network (NBEN) Phoenix Award for "his devotion to conservation and sustainable communities and for his thoughtful guidance, which has been a source of strength and inspiration for New Brunswick's environmental movement over the past two decades."{{cite news |title=N. B. environmental prizes awarded |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/412844663 |access-date=June 4, 2024 |work=The Daily Gleaner |date=May 4, 2002|id={{ProQuest|412844663}} }} Later that year, he also received a silver award in the Canadian Geographic-sponsored Canadian Environment Awards,{{cite news |last1=Roik |first1=Richard |title=Canadian Environmental Awards recognize Petitcodiac Riverkeeper, Climate Change Caravan, and N.B. Conservation Council |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/423162408 |access-date=June 4, 2024 |work=Telegraph-Journal |date=September 25, 2002|id={{ProQuest|423162408}} }} and received another NBEN Phoenix Award along with fellow CCNB member Inka Milewski in 2004.{{cite news |title=Five awards presented |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/413032932 |access-date=June 4, 2024 |work=The Daily Gleaner |date=October 1, 2004|id={{ProQuest|413032932}} }}

In 2006, Coon criticized Irving Oil's proposal for another refinery in Saint John, stating "apparently, Mr. Irving hasn't heard we're in the midst of a global meltdown. Every new barrel of oil that is pumped out of the ground and refined is making the problem worse."{{cite news |title=Irving Oil seeks to build new refinery in New Brunswick |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/portland-press-herald/148684918/ |access-date=June 4, 2024 |work=Portland Press Herald |date=October 8, 2006 |page=57}} Coon has also provided education and training in energy efficient home renovation and home-based renewable energy systems, writing a regular column for The Globe and Mail on the topic. During his time as Policy Director at the Conservation Council, Coon's work to protect drinking water led to the creation of New Brunswick's Clean Water Act and to the province's Petroleum Product Handling and Storage Regulation.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}} This earned the New Brunswick environmental organization the United Nations Environmental Programme's Global 500 award.{{Cite web |url=http://www.conservationcouncil.ca/en/about-us/achievements/ |title=Achievements |access-date=15 November 2017 |archive-date=16 November 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171116041346/http://www.conservationcouncil.ca/en/about-us/achievements/ |url-status=dead }}

Coon has advocated for community-based ecological resource management and land use. He worked with commercial fishermen's organizations to establish the Bay of Fundy Fisheries Council to advance community-based fishery management. His collaboration with the National Farmers Union helped create the first agricultural conservation club in New Brunswick.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}

He was a founding director of Canada's first community supported agricultural initiative, Harvest Share Co-operative on Keswick Ridge,{{cite web|url=http://greenpartynb.ca/en/featured-candidates/479-david-coon|title=David Coon|publisher=Green Party of New Brunswick|language=en|access-date=25 November 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151126071510/http://greenpartynb.ca/en/featured-candidates/479-david-coon|archive-date=26 November 2015|url-status=dead}} and co-founded the New Brunswick Community Land Trust.{{Citation needed|date=June 2024}}

In 2008, Coon began serving as the CCNB's executive director.{{cite news |last1=McLaughlin |first1=Beth |title=Conservation Council: 40 years protecting New Brunswick |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/423032416 |access-date=June 4, 2024 |work=Times & Transcript |date=June 3, 2009|id={{ProQuest|423032416}} }} Following a 2011 radioactive spill at Point Lepreau, the only nuclear power plant in Atlantic Canada, Coon pushed for more details to be released to the public about the incident, stating that "they need to release the actual information on the radiation levels and exposures that might have resulted in this case."{{cite news |last1=Bissett |first1=Kevin |title=Radioactive spill at N.B. nuclear plant prompts calls for more details |url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/national/radioactive-spill-at-nb-nuclear-plant-prompts-calls-for-more-details/article4201717/ |access-date=June 1, 2024 |work=The Canadian Press |publisher=The Globe and Mail |date=December 14, 2011 |language=en-CA}}

Political career

File:David Coon, Leader of the Green Party of New Brunswick.jpg

Prior to becoming elected as leader of the Green Party of New Brunswick, Coon did work for the federal Green Party of Canada.{{cite news |title=A QuickSketch profile of New Brunswick Green party Leader David Coon |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/1555385044 |access-date=16 May 2024 |work=The Canadian Press |date=20 August 2014|id={{ProQuest|1555385044}} }} During his running for leadership of the New Brunswick Greens, Coon proposed to serve as leader full-time; at the time he was the conservation council's executive director. His only other contender for leadership was Roy MacMullin, who sought plans for the party to work with the NDP and People's Alliance parties.{{cite news |title=Roy MacMullin joins Green party's leadership race |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/roy-macmullin-joins-green-party-s-leadership-race-1.1208536 |access-date=June 1, 2024 |work=CBC News |date=August 21, 2012}} On September 22, 2012, the day of the election, both candidates participated in a protest against fracking outside of the legislature as part of "Global Frackdown" Day. The election was held at the Fredericton Convention Centre. Out of the 208 votes cast between both candidates, Coon received 131 votes and was elected as the provincial Green Party leader, succeeding interim leader Greta Doucet.{{cite news |title=Conservationist Coon N.B.'s new Green Party leader |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/conservationist-coon-n-b-s-new-green-party-leader-1.1177804 |access-date=June 1, 2024 |work=CBC News |date=September 22, 2012}}

In 2013, following the opening of a Starbucks in Moncton which only had English menus, Coon advocated for sign legislation similar to that enforced in the neighbouring, largely-Francophone city of Dieppe, which would, due to New Brunswick's official bilingual status, require for international businesses to include both English and French signage. Although the proposal was considered by critics to be "excessive", Moncton was previously voted to be the first officially bilingual city in Canada and had already required bilingual government-provided services.{{cite news |last1=Assaf |first1=Maria |title=N.B. Green leader wants Quebec-style sign law |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/national-post/148497017/ |access-date=June 1, 2024 |work=National Post |date=September 12, 2013 |page=4}}

In March 2014, Coon demanded for the provincial government under David Alward to publicly release a contract they signed with J. D. Irving to "guarantee wood supply from Crown land." He criticized the agreement, which allowed for 21% more softwood to be cut, and argued that "New Brunswickers and First Nations have a right to know what David Alward has signed away to the Irvings." He expressed concerns for the potentiality of the public of the province having "to compensate J.D. Irving if public efforts to rebuild local forest economies, establish community forests, resolve aboriginal title, or increase conservation measures in the future diminishes the amount of wood the government has agreed to provide the company over the long term," limiting future government actions, further adding that "First Nations and all New Brunswickers have a right to see what obligation the Alward government has imposed on us with this contract." Paul Robichaud, the Minister of Natural Resources, responded by stating that "the agreements between the government and forest companies will be announced publicly after an initial round of announcements by industry."{{cite news |title=David Coon demands details of Irving forest deal be made public |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/david-coon-demands-details-of-irving-forest-deal-be-made-public-1.2578362 |access-date=June 1, 2024 |work=CBC News |date=March 19, 2014}} In May 2014, Coon criticized the provincial government's proposal, through the Department of Natural Resources, to extend the moose hunting season deadline, calling it "completely political." Arguing that the proposal prioritized efforts to garner votes over environmental protection, Coon stated that "politicians can't buy people's votes with a bottle of rum anymore and they can't afford to buy them with tax cuts so what are they left with?" In response, Robichaud argued a potential economic boost for the province being a reason to increase the season.{{cite news |title=Expanded moose hunt 'completely political,' David Coon says |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/expanded-moose-hunt-completely-political-david-coon-says-1.2654035 |access-date=June 1, 2024 |work=CBC News |date=May 26, 2014}}

=MLA for Fredericton South (2014–2018)=

File:Mi’kmaq flag raised Lever du drapeau Micmac (35338075071).jpg Grand Council flag with Stephen Horsman (left) and Ed Doherty (center), 2017]]

During the 2014 provincial election, Coon campaigned for the newly created seat of Fredericton South in the Legislative Assembly; his campaign was supported by a number of former NDP members, including former candidate Penny Ericson and former leader Allison Brewer, who said that he "offers a unique perspective to politics."{{cite news |title=David Coon lures ex-NDP leader, supporters to Greens |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/nbvotes2018/david-coon-lures-ex-ndp-leader-supporters-to-greens-1.2746899 |access-date=June 1, 2024 |work=CBC News |date=August 26, 2014}} As opposed to other parties at the time, Coon and his party had a particularly strict opposition towards gas fracking, as well as the controversial proposed oil pipeline, Energy East.{{cite news |last1=Annis |first1=Roger |title=Pro-gas fracking government turfed in NB election |url=https://nbmediacoop.org/2014/10/03/pro-gas-fracking-govt-turfed-in-new-brunswick-election/ |access-date=June 1, 2024 |work=NB Media Co-op |date=October 3, 2014}}{{cite news |title=Green winner ready to tackle pipeline |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/national-post/146440076/ |access-date=June 1, 2024 |work=Financial Post |publisher=National Post |date=September 24, 2014 |page=29}}{{cite news |last1=Logan |first1=Nick |title=N.B. election: Did shale gas and fracking sway the vote? |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/1577434/n-b-election-did-shale-gas-and-fracking-sway-the-vote/ |access-date=June 1, 2024 |work=Global News |date=September 23, 2014}} He also made the proposal to improve access to abortion, which emerged as an issue following the closure of New Brunswick's only private abortion service-providing clinic in July.{{cite news |title=Premier confident ahead of N.B. poll |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/times-colonist/148498674/ |access-date=June 1, 2024 |work=Times Colonist |agency=The Canadian Press |date=September 21, 2014}} Coon won the seat with 31% of the vote against three other candidates, including Craig Leonard, the previous Energy Minister for the Progressive Conservatives.{{cite news |title=David Coon makes history with seat for Green Party |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/nbvotes2018/david-coon-makes-history-with-seat-for-green-party-1.2773366 |access-date=June 1, 2024 |work=CBC News |date=September 22, 2014}} He became New Brunswick's first Green legislative member,{{cite news|url=https://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/politics/how-the-new-brunswick-green-leader-made-his-historic-win/article20738635/|title=How the New Brunswick Green leader made his 'historic' win|last=Taber|first=Jane|date=23 September 2014|newspaper=Globe and Mail|language=en|access-date=13 October 2018}} and the second member of a provincial Green Party to win a seat in a provincial legislature, following Andrew Weaver in British Columbia.

Since his election in 2014, Coon has introduced private member's bills aimed at increasing local food security and expanding local agriculture, creating jobs in energy efficient building renovations and renewable energy, lowering the voting age, protecting citizens against frivolous lawsuits. He has championed improving access to both mental and primary health care, alleviating poverty, the provision of midwifery services, climate action, and forest management that is socially and ecologically sound.{{Cite web|url=https://www.legnb.ca/en/members/current/14/coon-david|title = Member of the Legislative Assembly : David Coon - Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick}} In 2015, Coon attended the 2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference under the invitation of Brian Gallant.{{cite news |title=David Coon heads to Paris for UN climate change conference |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/david-coon-paris-climate-1.3332324 |access-date=June 4, 2024 |work=CBC News |date=November 24, 2015}}

During his political career, Coon has advocated for the government to fulfill calls to action made by the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.{{cite news |last1=Baker III |first1=Oscar |title='It was remarkable': Calls to action for reconciliation voiced at STU |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/stu-trc-mla-action-1.4003538 |access-date=June 2, 2024 |work=CBC News |date=February 28, 2017}} In 2016, he called for government funding towards mandatory public school programs which would introduce the endangered Maliseet language to curriculums, which he had been advocating for since 2010.{{cite news |last1=Fraser |first1=Elizabeth |title=MLA pushes for Maliseet program funding |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/1809003684 |access-date=June 1, 2024 |work=The Daily Gleaner |date=August 5, 2016|id={{ProQuest|1809003684}} }} Later that year, Coon spoke with University of New Brunswick director David Perley, which led to him introducing a private member's bill focused on improving the public school curriculum on indigenous education. On May 5, 2017, the bill was granted royal assent after being passed by the government.{{cite news |last1=Chilibeck |first1=John |title=Native teachings comingto an N.B. school near you |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/1898894320 |access-date=June 1, 2024 |work=Telegraph-Journal |date=May 16, 2017|id={{ProQuest|1898894320}} }}

He has served as a member of the Standing Committee on Estimates and Fiscal Policy, the Standing Committee on Procedure, Privileges and Legislative Officers, and the Legislative Administration Committee. He also served as a member of the Select Committee on Climate Change, whose recommendations formed the basis of New Brunswick's Climate Action Plan.

=2018 re-election, continued party growth (2018–present)=

Coon was re-elected to Fredericton South in the 2018 provincial election, with his party also electing two more MLAs: Kevin Arseneau in the riding of Kent North and Megan Mitton in the riding of Memramcook-Tantramar.{{cite news |title=Elizabeth May congratulates New Brunswick Greens for winning 3 seats |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/4485005/elizabeth-may-nb-greens/ |access-date=June 7, 2024 |work=Global News |date=September 25, 2018}} The party was early to release a full party platform, with 120 commitments including a ban on glyphosate spraying.{{cite news |last1=Quon |first1=Alexander |title=New Brunswick Election: Greens the first party to release entire platform - New Brunswick |url=https://globalnews.ca/news/4411955/new-brunswick-greens-platform-2018/ |access-date=June 7, 2024 |work=Global News |date=August 27, 2018}}

During the 2020 provincial election, the Greens secured {{CAD|303 thousand}} in donations for their campaign – more than any other third party in the province.{{cite news |last1=Jones |first1=Robert |title=Green Party broke 27-year-old N.B. fundraising record in 2018 |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/political-party-donations-green-record-breaking-1.5420245 |access-date=June 7, 2024 |work=CBC News |date=January 9, 2020}} Coon, along with Arseneau and Mitton, were all re-elected to their respective seats.{{cite news |last1=Fraser |first1=Elizabeth |title=Green Party keeps its 3 seats in New Brunswick Legislature |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/green-party-provincial-election-1.5723933 |access-date=June 7, 2024 |work=CBC News |date=September 14, 2020}}

In September 2023, Coon appointed both Arseneau and Mitton as deputy leaders for the Green Party.{{cite news |last1=Fach |first1=Addison |title=Green Party Leader Appoints Megan Mitton and Kevin Arseneau as Deputy Leaders |url=https://www.greenpartynb.ca/deputy_leaders_announcement |access-date=June 7, 2024 |work=Green Party of New Brunswick |date=September 14, 2023 |language=en}} Following an electoral redistribution that same year, Coon's incumbent riding was to be replaced with two new electoral districts; he is running in the new riding of Fredericton-Lincoln for the 2024 provincial election.{{cite news |last=Poitras |first=Jacques |author-link=Jacques Poitras |title=Coon's riding pick means no election showdown with Holt |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/green-leader-coon-chooses-new-fredericton-riding-1.6963036 |access-date=May 31, 2024 |work=CBC News |date=September 11, 2023}}

Personal life

During his work at the CCNB, Coon met his future wife, Janice Harvey, a St. Thomas University educator who served as the CCNB director at the time,{{cite news |last1=McLaughlin |first1=Beth |title=Conservation Council: 40 years protecting New Brunswick |url=https://www.proquest.com/docview/423032416 |access-date=June 1, 2024 |work=Times & Transcript |date=June 3, 2009|id={{ProQuest|423032416}} }} during an environmental meeting. They have two daughters, and had a son who died at birth.{{cite news |title=Russell David Harvey Coon |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-toronto-star-obituary-for-david-coon/148521738/ |access-date=1 June 2024 |work=Toronto Star |date=May 28, 1994 |page=27}} Coon and his family lived in Fredericton before moving to rural Waweig in Charlotte County for a number of years, then later returned to Fredericton in late 2012 to live in his planned candidacy riding of Fredericton-Silverwood,{{cite news |title=Green Party leader to run in Fredericton riding |url=https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/green-party-leader-to-run-in-fredericton-riding-1.1227760 |access-date=16 May 2024 |work=CBC News |date=11 December 2012}} which was abolished following the 2013 electoral redistribution. As of 2023, Coon continues to live in Fredericton within the boundaries of the Fredericton South-Silverwood riding.{{cite news |last1=Chilibeck |first1=John |url=https://www.saltwire.com/atlantic-canada/news/new-brunswick-green-party-leader-david-coon-a-three-time-winner-in-fredericton-south-picks-new-riding-100891155/ |title=New Brunswick Green Party Leader David Coon, a three-time winner in Fredericton South, picks new riding |access-date=16 May 2024 |work=The Daily Gleaner |publisher=SaltWire |date=12 September 2023}}

Electoral record

{{CANelec/note|This district was created from parts of Fredericton-Silverwood and Fredericton-Lincoln, both elected a Progressive Conservative in the previous election. Craig Leonard was the incumbent from Fredericton-Lincoln.}}

{{CANelec/source|Source: Elections New Brunswick,{{cite web|url=http://www.gnb.ca/elections/results-resultats/2014-09-22/2014-09-22-results-e.asp |title=Declared Results, 2014 New Brunswick election |author=Elections New Brunswick |date=6 Oct 2014 |access-date=18 Oct 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141014112536/http://www.gnb.ca/elections/results-resultats/2014-09-22/2014-09-22-results-e.asp |archive-date=2014-10-14 }} CBC News{{Cite web |url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/new-brunswick-votes-2014/ridings/fredericton-south-1.2721414 |title=Fredericton South - New Brunswick Votes 2014 - Ridings |access-date=September 23, 2014 |archive-date=September 23, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140923094958/http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/new-brunswick-votes-2014/ridings/fredericton-south-1.2721414 |url-status=dead }}}}