Sooke Mayor Maja Tait may be taking a run at federal politics.
In an interview with Black Press Media, Tait confirmed that she had begun reviewing and completing the nomination papers for the NDP riding of Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke.
The current MP, Randall Garrison, announced at the end of April that he wouldnB次元官网网址檛 seek re-election.
B次元官网网址淚B次元官网网址檓 giving it serious consideration,B次元官网网址� Tait said, noting the next federal election isnB次元官网网址檛 scheduled until Oct. 20, 2025.
RELATED: NDP MP Randall Garrison announces he wonB次元官网网址檛 seek re-election
B次元官网网址淎t this time, I just want to thank Randall for his work in the riding on behalf of Sooke council and our constituents,B次元官网网址� Tait said.
B次元官网网址淗eB次元官网网址檚 always been ready and available to help with ongoing advocacy related to the federal government, and IB次元官网网址檓 looking forward to continuing to work with Randall until his term is completed.B次元官网网址�
In a media release announcing that he wonB次元官网网址檛 seek re-election, Garrison mentioned Tait would be a strong candidate.
In a follow-up interview with Black Press Media, Garrison said he had talked to several people who expressed interest in seeking the nomination when he decided not to seek re-election.
B次元官网网址淚 thought Maja was the strongest candidate,B次元官网网址� he noted. B次元官网网址淲eB次元官网网址檙e good friends and have worked closely the whole time sheB次元官网网址檚 been mayor and on council.B次元官网网址�
Garrison said he believes two kinds of people run for office, those who want to make a point and those who want to get things done.
B次元官网网址淕etting things done for the people in my riding has always been my approach, and I think MajaB次元官网网址檚 in the same vein,B次元官网网址� he said.
B次元官网网址淚 know sheB次元官网网址檚 someone who knows how to get things done. A common theme for people from the municipal level is that they are less partisan, which is very good in terms of getting things done.B次元官网网址�
Garrison said heB次元官网网址檚 B次元官网网址渧ery happyB次元官网网址� TaitB次元官网网址檚 running, although he acknowledged that might scare others from seeking the nomination because sheB次元官网网址檚 such a strong candidate.
B次元官网网址淪he will always do what she thinks is right and has a very good sense of whatB次元官网网址檚 going on in her community and what people need,B次元官网网址� he added.
Tait was first elected to Sooke council in 2008. She served two terms as a councillor before being elected mayor in 2014 and was re-elected in 2018 and 2022.
She was elected president of the Union of British Columbia Municipalities in 2019 and acclaimed as president in 2020.
Tait serves as chair of the B.C. Regional Transit Commission and sits on the Capital Regional District board, the Capital Regional Hospital District board, the Capital Housing Corporation, the TewB次元官网网址橫exw Treaty Advisory Committee, and is a past board member of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities.
Saanich Coun. Colin Plant said he has always enjoyed working with Tait and found her to be a candid politician who works collaboratively with others to improve the region.
B次元官网网址淚 have the greatest respect for local politicians who put their names forward to serve at another level,B次元官网网址� he said. B次元官网网址淚f she chooses to put her name forward for the nomination, I think her record as mayor of Sooke and as a CRD director will be something to be proud of.B次元官网网址�
No other candidates have filed nomination papers to date.
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