Federal Politics
In January 2011, as the NDP were preparing for a potential up-coming election, Garrison was again acclaimed as their candidate in the Esquimalt—Juan de Fuca riding. With the Liberal Keith Martin no longer seeking re-election, the riding was once again seen as a potential win for the NDP, Liberals and Conservatives. The election came in the spring 2011 and other candidates included home-maker Shaunna Salsman for the Green Party, 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. The Conservative Party candidate, Troy DeSouza, who had come in second to Martin in the 2008 election and third to Martin and Garrison in the 2006 election, was supported this time by party leader and prime-minister, Stephen Harper, who visited the riding early in the election campaign. However, DeSouza campaigned heavily on attracting federal funding for a highway overpass between Victoria and Colwood, but was compromised by Finance Minister Jim Flaherty who refused to make a commitment to the project. Still, late in the election, The Globe and Mail estimated the riding was "Leaning Conservative". Regardless, due to rising NDP support nationwide and significant votes from Saanich and Esquimalt, Garrison won the riding over DeSouza by 0.6% but the Conservative Party had won a majority government, with the NDP forming the official opposition.
Read more about this topic: Randall Garrison
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