Randall Garrison

Randall Garrison
MP
Member of the Canadian Parliament
for Esquimalt—Saanich—Sooke
Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca (2011-2015)
Assumed office
May 2, 2011
Preceded by Keith Martin
NDP Critic on LGBTQ Issues
Assumed office
June 9, 2011
Preceded by Bill Siksay
NDP Critic on Public Safety
In office
April 19, 2012 – November 12, 2015
Preceded by Jasbir Sandhu
Succeeded by David Christopherson
Personal details
Born (1951-08-27) August 27, 1951
Lincoln, Nebraska, U.S.
Political party New Democratic Party
Spouse(s) Teddy Pardede
Residence Esquimalt, British Columbia
Occupation criminologist, college instructor

Randall C. Garrison (born August 27, 1951) is a Canadian politician. Elected to the House of Commons in the 2011 federal election,[1] he represents the electoral district of Esquimalt—Saanich—Sooke and is a member of the New Democratic Party. He serves as the party's critic for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and transsexual issues, succeeding former MP Bill Siksay,[2] and for National Defence. Since becoming an MP, he has introduced legislation to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Criminal Code, return federal environmental protection to the Goldstream River, and lobbied the government to implement an action plan concerning the endangered Southern resident killer whales. A former criminology and political science instructor at Camosun College, Garrison is openly gay and lives in Esquimalt, British Columbia, with his partner, Teddy Pardede.

Garrison previously stood for election in the 2004 and 2006 federal elections, both times as the NDP candidate in the Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca riding and both times narrowly losing to incumbent MP Keith Martin. He lived in Vancouver for a short time, during which he was nominated to be the NDP candidate in the Vancouver Centre riding during the 2008 federal election before dropping out for "personal and professional reasons".[3] After moving back to Esquimalt he was elected to the Esquimalt City Council for a three-year term starting in November 2008.[4]

Garrison has served on the boards of several non-profit organizations as well as the Esquimalt Police Board. He is also an international human rights activist. He has worked as a policing researcher in Afghanistan with Amnesty International, on a Christian-Muslim peace building project in Indonesia for the International Catholic Migration Commission, and as co-coordinator of IFET, an international non-government human rights observer mission for the East Timor independence referendum in 1999.[5] In May 2010, Garrison served as an international observer with the People's International Observers Mission (PIOM) in the Autonomous Region of Muslim Mindanao for the national elections in the Philippines.[6]

Background

Born in Nebraska, Randall Garrison eventually moved to Canada in 1973.[7] He spent two years living in Yellowknife, working for the government recording vital statistics.[7] He moved to British Columbia where, at the age of 26, Garrison graduated from the University of British Columbia with a master's degree specializing in political science. He moved to Victoria where he worked within the B.C. provincial government as a public policy researcher and director.[7] By the 1990s, and until he was elected as a Member of Parliament, he taught at Camosun College, in criminal justice, political science, and pacific rim studies. In 1990, as a member of the Victoria Civic Electors, Garrison ran for Victoria City Council, but did not win a seat.[8] At the time he was president of the Vic West Community Association and executive director of the South Pacific People's Foundation of Canada.[8] In 1999, Garrison helped coordinate the International Federation for East Timor who acted as neutral election observer during the East Timorese independence referendum.[9][10] Garrison's other work overseas included peace-building between religious groups in Indonesia and investigating human rights issues in Afghanistan.[7][11] Back in Canada, Garrison became a member of the Victoria and Esquimalt police board.[12] During this time, Garrison also helped co-found the Victoria Immigrant and Refugee Centre.[7]

In the 2004 federal election, the 53-year-old Garrison became the New Democratic Party candidate in the Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca riding. The election was seen as a three-way race between Garrison, the Liberal Party incumbent Keith Martin and Conservative Party candidate and former Martin aide John Koury.[13] Garrison placed second, 4.6% behind Martin who was re-elected to a fourth term. A year-and-a-half later, with another federal election expected soon, Garrison was acclaimed the NDP candidate,[14] and again faced Martin, but this time the Conservative challenger was lawyer Troy DeSouza. This January 2006 election was again considered a toss-up and as a result CBC Radio One's Cross Country Checkup broadcast a show highlighting the riding and the candidates.[15] However, Garrison again lost to Martin, this time by 3.6%. Subsequently, Garrison and his partner moved to Vancouver's West End where, in January 2007, he was acclaimed the NDP candidate in the Vancouver Centre riding for an expected election.[16][17] The next election did not occur until October 2008 and by that time Garrison had moved back to Esquimalt and withdrew from the Vancouver Centre election.[18]

Instead, Garrison stood in the November 2008 local government election where he won a seat on the Esquimalt municipal council. On local issues Garrison was critical of police budget request increases of 10% in 2009 and 5% in 2010 and argued that Esquimalt's merger of its police force with the Victoria Police Department was not producing the benefits that were promised and costing the municipality more than it should.[19] The council adopted a resolution, proposed by Garrison to fund the full budget requests of the police minus one dollar.[20] Garrison advocated for stricter targets of greenhouse gas emissions reduction,[21] and passed a motion supporting a permanent ban on coastal drilling and tanker traffic in BC waters. Garrison lobbied to get the municipality to adopt a living wage policy.[22] At the time a living wage in Greater Victoria was calculated to be $17.31 per hour for a full-time worker.[23] The council adopted the proposal in principle, but ultimately approved a policy that only applied to limit situations.[24]

Federal politics

In January 2011, Garrison was again acclaimed as the NDP candidate in the Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca riding.[25] With Liberal MP Keith Martin no longer seeking re-election, the riding was seen as a potential win for the party.[26] The election came in the spring 2011 and other candidates included home-maker Shaunna Salsman for the Green Party,[27] Canadian Action Party leader Christopher Porter and independent Louis Lesosky, as well as Langford councillor Lillian Szpak for the Liberal Party. Garrison campaigned on supporting development of light rail and universal child care. He was endorsed by the Conservation Voters of British Columbia.[28] The Conservative Party candidate, Troy DeSouza, was supported by party leader and Prime Minister, Stephen Harper, who visited the riding early in the election campaign.[29] Garrison won the riding over DeSouza by 0.6%, due to rising NDP support nationwide and significant votes from Saanich and Esquimalt,[30] thereby joining the official opposition caucus, with the Conservative Party having won a majority government.

41st Parliament

As the 41st Parliament opened, Garrison was appointed to the Standing Committee on Public Safety and National Security and party leader Jack Layton appointed Garrison as the NDP critic on LGBT issues. During the New Democratic Party leadership election, 2012, following the death of Jack Layton, Garrison supported Peggy Nash, saying she "embodies the NDP values of social justice, environmental sustainability and prosperity for all".[31] Following Nash's defeat on the second ballot of the contest, he supported Thomas Mulcair, the eventual winner. Mulcair added public safety to Garrison's critic duties.[32]

Following the election, fellow British Columbian NDP MP Jean Crowder was appointed his political mentor.[33] While Garrison and Crowder shared an office in Ottawa, Garrison opened his constituency office in View Royal.[34] Locally, Garrison joined with fellow NDP MP Denise Savoie, provincial Member of the Legislative Assembly Rob Fleming, and local councillors, and the Greater Victoria Chamber of Commerce to advocate for federal and provincial funds to develop a light rail transportation system from Victoria to Langford, a system which had already had commitment from Victoria Regional Transit Commission, the Capital Regional District and the BC Transit.[35] Garrison also successfully fought the attempted deportation of a constituent through a public campaign to the Minister of Citizenship and Immigration Jason Kenney.[36]

As the NDP's LGBT critic, Garrison introduced a piece of legislation, An Act to amend the Canadian Human Rights Act and the Criminal Code (gender identity and gender expression) (Bill C-279) which include gender identity and gender expression among the characteristics protected from discrimination and eligible to be considered in sentencing crimes motivated by hate. Similar legislation had been introduced in the 38th, 39th and 40th Parliaments.[37] The bill was amended by the House of Commons to remove the term 'gender expression' and sent to the Senate in March 2013.[38] He also spoke at a remembrance ceremony for a teenager who had committed suicide due to bullying concerning his sexual orientation.[39] After Conservative Party MPs made an 'It Gets Better' video in response to the bullied teenager, a video which received independent criticism regarding its hypocrisy (the MPs had previously voted against same-sex marriage legislation) Garrison explained that, while well-intention, they were just repeating a slogan and did not understand the concept.[40]

Garrison introduced Bill C-509, "An Act to amend the Navigable Waters Protection Act (Goldstream River)" in October 2013. The legislation aims to return federal oversight to the “ecological and culturally significant river”. Garrison also introduced a motion (M-460) to implement an action plan via the federal government to save the remaining Southern resident killer whales.[41]

Electoral record

Canadian federal election, 2015: Esquimalt—Saanich—Sooke
Party Candidate Votes%∆%Expenditures
New DemocraticRandall Garrison 23,836 35.0 -4.40 –
LiberalDavid Merner 18,622 27.4 +17.70 –
GreenFrances Litman 13,575 19.9 +7.04 –
ConservativeShari Lukens 11,912 17.5 -20.11 –
CommunistTyson Strandlund 136 0.2 -0.23 –
Total valid votes/Expense limit 68,081100.0   $227,115.52
Total rejected ballots 199––
Turnout 68.280––
Eligible voters 87,281
New Democratic hold Swing -11.05
Source: Elections Canada[42][43]
Canadian federal election, 2011: Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca
Party Candidate Votes%∆%
New DemocraticRandall Garrison 26,198 40.87 +18.15
ConservativeTroy DeSouza 25,792 40.24 +6.17
LiberalLillian Szpak 6,409 10.00 -24.18
GreenShaunna Salsman 5,351 8.35 +0.07
IndependentLouis James Lesosky 181 0.28 –
Canadian ActionChristopher Porter 145 0.23 -0.01
Total valid votes/Expense limit 64,096100.0  
Total rejected ballots 1520.24
Turnout 64,24866.35
New Democratic gain from Liberal Swing +5.99
Canadian federal election, 2006: Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca
Party Candidate Votes%∆%Expenditures
LiberalKeith Martin 20,761 34.93 -0.36 $79,041
New DemocraticRandall Garrison 18,595 31.29 +0.67 $75,094
ConservativeTroy DeSouza 16,327 27.47 +3.31 $83,818
GreenMike Robinson 3,385 5.70 -3.54 $1,911
Western BlockDoug Christie 272 0.46 – $98
Canadian ActionDavid Piney 89 0.15 -0.10 $3,523
Total valid votes 59,429100.0  
Total rejected ballots 1120.19
Turnout 59,54168.9
Liberal hold Swing -0.52
Canadian federal election, 2004: Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca
Party Candidate Votes%∆%Expenditures
LiberalKeith Martin 19,389 35.29 +11.37 $76,722
New DemocraticRandall Garrison 16,821 30.62 +17.21 $36,277
ConservativeJohn Koury 13,271 24.16 -33.56 $61,902
GreenJane Sterk 5,078 9.24 +4.98 $20,392
IndependentJen Fisher-Bradley 229 0.41 – $5,424
Canadian ActionShawn W. Giles 141 0.25 –
Total valid votes 54,929100.0  
Total rejected ballots 1440.26
Turnout 55,07365.93
Liberal gain from Independent Swing -2.92
Change for the Conservatives is based on the combined totals of the Canadian Alliance and the Progressive Conservatives. Liberal candidate Keith Martin lost 14.44 percentage points from his 2000 performance running as a Canadian Alliance candidate.

References

  1. ↑ Election 2011: Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca. The Globe and Mail, May 2, 2011.
  2. ↑ "Layton names Garrison as LGBTT critic." NDP. June 9, 2011.
  3. ↑ "NDP pick UBC professor to run against Liberal Fry". The Globe and Mail. August 18, 2008. p. 3.
  4. ↑ "Desjardins beats Clement in a landslide". Victoria News. Victoria, British Columbia. November 15, 2008. p. 1.
  5. ↑ Glavin, Terry (November 24, 2005), "Unusual NDPer backs international missions", The Georgia Straight, retrieved 2007-11-08
  6. ↑ Ruiz, Dyan (June 1, 2010), "Canadians caught in gun battle in Lanao", The Philippine Reporter, retrieved 2011-01-31 External link in |periodical= (help)
  7. 1 2 3 4 5 Harnett, Cindy (June 22, 2004). "A messy battle ahead: Series: Riding Races". Times Colonist. Victoria, British Columbia. p. 11.
  8. 1 2 Baldrey, Keith (November 14, 1990). "Victoria candidates address 'green' issues, accountability". The Vancouver Sun. p. 9.
  9. ↑ Saunders, John (September 7, 1999). "Diplomacy, not sanctions, called for: Axworthy Canadians describe mayhem in East Timor". The Globe and Mail. p. 14.
  10. ↑ Watts, Richard (September 8, 1999). "Observer back after witnessing revenge terror". Times Colonist. Victoria, British Columbia. p. 1.
  11. ↑ "The Candidates: Who they are, where they stand". Times Colonist. Victoria, British Columbia. January 20, 2006. p. 4.
  12. ↑ Harnett, Cindy (July 3, 2000). "Gay marchers fear setbacks from Alliance". Times Colonist. Victoria, British Columbia. p. 4.
  13. ↑ Harnett, Cindy (May 23, 2004). "Battle for the Island". Times Colonist. Victoria, British Columbia. p. 3.
  14. ↑ Mason, Chris (June 26, 2005). "NDP contender set to take on Keith Martin". Times Colonist. Victoria, British Columbia. p. 2.
  15. ↑ McCulloch, Sandra (December 9, 2005). "CBC puts area riding on a national stage". Times Colonist. Victoria, British Columbia. p. 3.
  16. ↑ "Garrison receives nod". The Province. Vancouver, British Columbia. January 22, 2007. p. 3.
  17. ↑ Howell, Mike (January 26, 2007). "Garrison gearing up for high-profile fight". Vancouver Courier. p. 7.
  18. ↑ "NDP pick UBC professor to run against Liberal Fry". The Globe and Mail. August 18, 2008. p. 3.
  19. ↑ Garrison, Randall (February 15, 2011). "Esquimalt's Garrison states his case; Compare promises made before amalgamation, reality". Times Colonist. Victoria, British Columbia. p. 11.
  20. ↑ Aldous, Rebecca (May 6, 2009). "Buck stops here, Esquimalt council tells cops". Victoria News. Victoria, British Columbia. p. 1.
  21. ↑ "Is It Easy Being Green?- Esquimalt council urged to go greener than provincial targets". Esquimalt Review. November 15, 2013. Retrieved February 23, 2015.
  22. ↑ Garrison, Randall (August 31, 2010). "Why Esquimalt needs a living-wage policy; Research indicates costs would be low, negative impacts would be few". Times Colonist. Victoria, British Columbia. p. 13.
  23. ↑ Cardone, Erin (August 19, 2010). "Esquimalt ponders living wage policy". Victoria News. Victoria, British Columbia. p. 1.
  24. ↑ McCracken, Erin (January 20, 2011). "Living wage crawls forward in Esquimalt amidst divide". Victoria News. Victoria, British Columbia. p. 1.
  25. ↑ "Garrison receives NDP nod in Esquimalt Juan de Fuca". Victoria News. Victoria, British Columbia. January 24, 2011. p. 1.
  26. ↑ Harnett, Cindy (March 25, 2011). "Campaign already in high gear; Candidates in Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca set sights on vacancy". Times Colonist. Victoria, British Columbia. p. 3.
  27. ↑ Sinclair, Jim (February 8, 2011). "Sooke dweller ready to run for Greens". The Sooke Mirror. Sooke, British Columbia. p. 2.
  28. ↑ Lavoie, Judith (April 16, 2011). "A voice for environment backs two candidates; Conservation Voters aim for strong impact". Times Colonist. Victoria, British Columbia. p. 13.
  29. ↑ Harnett, Cindy (March 29, 2011). "Harper woos Island in quest for majority". Times Colonist. Victoria, British Columbia. p. 3.
  30. ↑ "Esquimalt, Saanich polls put Garrison over the top". Goldstream Gazette. Langford, British Columbia. May 10, 2011. p. 1.
  31. ↑ Galloway, Gloria (Oct 29, 2011). "Nash becomes first woman to enter NDP leadership race". The Globe and Mail. p. 8.
  32. ↑ "Mulcair names NDP shadow cabinet". CBC News. April 19, 2012. Retrieved March 26, 2013.
  33. ↑ McCracken, Erin (June 8, 2011). "Garrison embraces learning curve as rookie MP". Victoria News. Victoria, British Columbia. p. 1.
  34. ↑ "Federal MP trying to remain central". The Sooke Mirror. Sooke, British Columbia. September 28, 2011. p. 2.
  35. ↑ Cleverley, Bill (August 10, 2011). "Politicians join call for light rail transit". Times Colonist. Victoria, British Columbia. p. 1.
  36. ↑ "Surjit Bhandal gets to stay". Goldstream News Gazette. Langford, British Columbia. January 22, 2015. p. 1.
  37. ↑ Nease, Kristy (September 22, 2011). "Garrison introduces bill to protect transgender rights". Goldstream Gazette. Langford, British Columbia. p. 1.
  38. ↑ "Commons approves transgender rights bill". CBC News. March 20, 2013. Retrieved March 26, 2013.
  39. ↑ Nease, Kristy (October 21, 2011). "Spirit Day event held in memory of victims of gay bullying; Speakers plead for action to prevent homophobia". The Ottawa Citizen. p. C4.
  40. ↑ Fletcher, Thandi (October 22, 2011). "Tory anti-bullying video draws fierce criticism; 'More than a video to undo damage': founder". National Post. p. 10.
  41. ↑ ["Vancouver Island MP launches petition to save endangered orcas". Global News. November 29, 2013. Retrieved February 23, 2015.
  42. ↑ Elections Canada – Confirmed candidates for Esquimalt—Saanich—Sooke, 30 September 2015
  43. ↑ Elections Canada – Preliminary Election Expenses Limits for Candidates
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