A new year means a new face for residents of the federal Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke riding as MP Randall Garrision took the time to say his official adieus in the House of Commons Tuesday (Dec. 3).
His resignation takes effect in January.
“Now that I have a family doctor again, it is time to listen to his advice and put my health first,” Garrison said, thanking his constituents. “It has been and continues to be an honour to work with the diverse communities that make up the riding of Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke including the six municipalities, four First Nations, and the large contingent of military families.”
He let voters know in April 2023 that he wouldn’t seek re-election, but officially announced he is stepping down as the member of parliament for Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke after 13 years. Garrison was first elected for the riding, then called Esquimalt-Juan de Fuca, in 2011.
“As an out and proud member of the 2SLGBTQI+ community, I hope that I have demonstrated that diversity is one of our strengths as a nation and that more diverse parliaments do indeed make better laws.” Garrison said. “I am proud to have successfully led initiatives in the House to add transgender rights to the Canadian Human Rights Code and the hate crimes section of the Criminal Code, to ban conversion therapy, to bring an end to the gay blood ban, and to provide a path to safety in Canada for queer and trans refugees whose lives are at imminent risk.”
Garrison also served as his party’s defence and justice spokesperson.
“I am proud to have led the initiative which resulted in the elimination of criminal records for drug possession and to expand the use of community-based bail supervision programs which help promote community safety and at the same time help make our system more just by reducing over-incarceration of indigenous and racialized Canadians,” Garrison said.
Garrison’s resignation takes effect in January and the next general election must occur on or before Oct. 20, 2025.
The Parliament of Canada Act includes an exception where a vacancy occurs in the nine months before a fixed date general election; in that case, no by-election is called and the seat remains vacant until the general election.
Sooke Mayor Maja Tait was nominated as the new NDP candidate for Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke in August 2023.
