Randall Garrison is hoping the third time is the charm for his run at the Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca riding.

B次元官网网址淚 come from a family that has always given back to the community,B次元官网网址� said Garrison, the NDP candidate for Esquimalt-JDF and a current Esquimalt municipal councillor. B次元官网网址淚 want people to know I am definitely on their side. I face the same challenges and will voice their concerns in Ottawa.B次元官网网址�

One issue Garrison says needs addressing traffic congestion on the Colwood crawl. B次元官网网址淭he congestion problem is real here,B次元官网网址� Garrison said.

Garrison, 60, is pushing alternative modes of transportation such as creating more bike lanes and paths. He would also like to see commuter rail and light rail transit implemented in Greater Victoria.

Garrison said projects to promote cycling and commuter rail could start right away but, B次元官网网址渙bviously LRT is a bigger investment and takes more time.B次元官网网址�

Another pursuit of GarrisonB次元官网网址檚 is to make child care more assessable in the riding.

B次元官网网址淥ne hundred dollars a month isnB次元官网网址檛 enough, it doesnB次元官网网址檛 ensure there will even be child care available,B次元官网网址� Garrison said referring to the universal child care benefit. All families with children under six receive $100 each month per child, from UCCB, to help with child care expenses.

B次元官网网址淣DP has always favoured (the idea of) universal child care,B次元官网网址� Garrison said adding, we are a long ways away from national child care but he would like to start opening up more child care spaces in Langford and Sooke.

Garrison said he wants to help families in all stages in life, including lowering tuition to keep costs down for post secondary education.

B次元官网网址淚f you just add more debt and (student) loans, it doesnB次元官网网址檛 solve the problem.B次元官网网址�

For senior citizens, Garrison shares the NDP vision of increasing the B次元官网网址済uaranteed income supplement to raise all seniors out of poverty.B次元官网网址�

B次元官网网址淚n terms of financial support, the income of seniors is a very important issue,B次元官网网址� Garrison said.

The Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca riding has some unique challenges, Garrison said.

B次元官网网址淚t extends from Esquimalt to Port Refrew and itB次元官网网址檚 one of great diversity,B次元官网网址� Garrison said explaining there are both urban centres and rural communities in the riding.

Garrison ran for the NDP in the 2004 and 2006 federal elections. Both times Garrison beat out the Conservative candidate, placing second behind the Liberal MP Keith Martin. Martin is not seeking re-election this time around.

B次元官网网址淭his time we are in a two-way race,B次元官网网址� Garrison said citing his Conservative opponent Troy DeSouza. B次元官网网址淚 think Lillian (Szpak) is a fine candidate and is very well known in Langford, but Troy and I finished a strong second to Keith and I think it will come down to that.B次元官网网址�

reporter@goldstreamgazette.com