It is apparent when you walk the streets of Victoria that there is a growing divide between the haves & the have nots. There has been a long term campaign with Lobbyists from many Industries helping Politician who promote the Business Does it Better mantra that is Neoliberalism. This continues to erode our Civic Budgets.

Neoliberalism has been an influence in Canada since the mid 70’s and its helped Big Business do increase it Profits by a vast amount, while costs have risen & wages have stagnated for us. TAll over Canada through the 80’s & 90’s & on even still today our Society has been encouraged to lower Corporate Taxes & Resource Royalties under the guise of gaining potential for more Jobs and spin off economies of having those jobs. during this time Corporations have sold more contributed less to Canada while employing fewer people. Instead the Canadian Corporations have pocketed the savings stashing close to $700 Billion, an amount equal to Canada’s debt. All while you’ve been taxed & fined at greater levels. In Victoria we pay for rain.

In 2001 our City’s Annual Operating Budget was $105 Million a year, now its approaching $250 Million & all that $$$ is coming from your pockets! During this time the issues the citizens of Victoria have been facing have grown exponentially. Also In 2001 The Federal Government invited Mayors & City Managers to a conference where they were told how to increase revenues from their residents through increased Taxes, Fines & Fees. Clearly we can see the Mayors & City Managers took these lessons to heart. The mess we are in is their making. Neoliberalism-ists will put sand in your shoes to slow you down, one could say the poverty on our streets if for this purpose. A society plagued by issues on its side walks has greater difficulty standing up the biggest Corporations plundering our National Wealth. If BC had kept the Tax regime as it was in the 80’s we’d be living in a very different BC. In this regard going backwards seems very progressive. Ask the Candidates what they will do to curb Neoliberalism. I will work to create the political will to stop inequity & push it back towards a fairer society. I believe Accountability Culture can do this!

The change we want can be as easy as voting for a Mayor you believe in, then the 3 votes for incumbents to keep the best ones, and 5 votes for new face not devoted to the Parties. This will bring a fresh perspective to City Hall and show the all the Parties that they need to be more responsive to Canadians! A Win-Win for Victoria!

I hope I can earn your support and be part of that change! Thanks!