Dear neighbour,

Victoria needs an MP who has a vision, cares passionately about all the people (not just the powerful), has ethical integrity, is approachable, and is able to produce innovative results which challenge the status quo.

Some of you will remember me as Chair of the Greater Victoria School Board where I and others brought in equal pay for work of equal value. I also championed equal school services between have and have-not neighbourhoods, better race relations, anti-harassment policies, an innovative contract with teachers and support staff, and Flex Studies, to name just a few of our actions.

Later, as Mayor of Victoria, I opened up City Hall to all the people, made the Council Chamber more user-friendly in the face of much conservative opposition, made the Mayor’s office and Councillors more accessible to residents and neighbourhoods, improved relations with employees, brought in pay equity, persuaded developers to bring in more attractive, compatible developments (Sussex and Centra Gas Buildings downtown), and led the legal opposition to the destruction of St. Ann’s Academy.

I have a track record of putting ideals into action.

More recently, I’ve been involved in community and neighbourhood support, advocating for human rights, labour rights and social services, and fighting against racism, war, poverty and destruction of the environment. My passion for social justice and for inclusion of all in community life, coupled with my spirit of ethical integrity, is what Victoria needs in Ottawa.

Across Canada, we need to reverse the corporate control of government brought by rightist leaders like Paul Martin and Gordon Campbell. Canada is drifting towards a state of surveillance and limited rights and freedoms, an ever-increasing gap between the rich and poor, lack of political accountability, economic control by corporations, disintegrating health and social service systems, deteriorating cities, and an unholy alliance with the US military through Star Wars, continental integration and adventurist wars abroad.

Canada needs participatory democracy through proportional representation, respect for human rights, stronger sovereignty, and enhanced national programs for child care, transportation, housing, local infrastructure , and environmental and health protection – all being dismantled by the Liberals. An alternative economic vision is needed, which invests in people, eliminates poverty, and redistributes income to the working poor, the unemployed, those on fixed incomes, pensions and the needy, and which fairly taxes profits, investments and inherited wealth.

I will speak up on your behalf. I will focus on action. I will remain accountable to you and open an effective community constituency office to serve you in Victoria. Above all, I will keep my word and give Victoria an MP of whom you can be proud. It would be my honour to have your support.

Call me at 388-0311 if you have any questions, or wish to assist in any way.

Thank you,

David Turner

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