Mark Butler announces resignation from Ecology Action Centre

After 23 years with the Ecology Action Centre, policy director Mark Butler is resigning. In an email to members Butler says he’ll be finishing up in October 2019. 

“This is an incredible place to work there’s amazing people here…There's lots of energy in the organization. This is a good time for me to leave,” says Butler.

Last year, the organization was in the spotlight for turning down a $6.25-million grant for marine conservation. The Coast reported that the rejection was made by the EAC’s board following recommendation from operational directors Mark Butler, Marla McLeod and Carla Vandenberg—Vandenberg announced her retirement early this year. 

The organization was also undergoing a salary review and Susana Fuller, marine action coordinator—who led the funding application—was fired. 

But Butler says the tumultuous events of the year didn’t have anything to do with his decision to resign as he’d been planning to leave for a couple of years. “If anything I would have left sooner.” 

“Whenever there is a conflict in the family that’s never fun,” says Butler. “I’m sad for what happened. 

“We made a difficult decision to not take some funding, and you know what, despite what The Coast said it’s OK sometimes to say no to money.” Butler was approached for an interview for that story but declined to comment.