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Martin Girard

Independent for Victoria Council
Let's solve our problems instead of sweeping them away! Everybody deserves an advocate on the municipal council.

Climate Change, Heat, & Fires

Green Space

Green rooftops!

Private Vehicles & Parking

This city needs less private vehicles and more public transit. Then let's turn excess parking space into more useful amenities.

Walking & Cycling

More pedestrian priority zones and bike lanes!

Housing & Homelessness

Homelessness

STOP THE SWEEPS! Specifically, I would replace bylaw officers with outreach workers to help the homeless get back on their feet.
Lift the prohibition on overnight sheltering in city parks! Better parks than sidewalks and doorways.
No more fences on Pandora Avenue!

We need a client-centric approach to solving homelessness. Let's work with the community and advocates, especially those with lived experience. More at: An insider's guide to homelessness

Indigenous-Led Housing

I fully endorse Indigenous housing initiatives like the Rematriate Stewardship Project.

More at: XAXE TENEW Sacred Land Society fundraising to build safe spaces for Indigenous women, children, two-spirited people

Property Taxes

This city needs to spend within its means. No more frivolous expenses like the Centennial Square Revitalization Project. No need to raise property taxes or fees then.

Rent & Rental Stock

Let's bring back the Renters' Advisory Committee! Every tenant deserves a voice at City Hall.

The committee stops meeting soon after the Alto administration assumed office. More at: https://www.victoria.ca/city-government/boards-and-committees/renters-advisory-committee

Human Rights

Recent Immigrants

Victoria shall be an inclusive city where everybody is welcome, regardless of ethnicity or religion.

Sex Work

Let's treat sex work as work, and shift law enforcement priorities elsewhere.

Trans Rights & Access to Public Services

This city needs to live by its Declaration of Ongoing Solidarity with Gender-Diverse Residents of Victoria. No more allowing hate speech on city premises!

I led a campaign at 1 Million Voices For Inclusion against We Unify's Reclaiming Canada conference and its speaker lineup of notorious transphobes when the municipality granted it access to the Victoria Conference Centre. More at: Rally called to protest Victoria event featuring convoy organizers, ‘transphobic’ speakers

Local Government & Democracy

Budgeting

No property tax raises; let's live within our means instead.

Good Governance

More transparency and less closed meetings.

Public Engagement

I'll keep attending as many community events and protests as I can. My constituents won't have to come to me with their concerns, I'll go to them as I always do.

Mental Health, Drugs, & Addiction

Mental Health Crisis Response

We need outreach workers answering mental health calls, not police officers. More Crisis Response Community Led team, Integrated Mobile Crisis Response Team, and Victoria Integrated Community Outreach Team.

More at: https://www.crcl.ca/

Overdoses & the Contaminated Drug Supply

I would stop enforcing simple possession of illicit drugs. Drug users don't belong in jail clogging the judicial system, they belong in treatment and housing.
Let's support compassion clubs like the Victoria Cannabis Buyers Club! Cannabis is an excellent alternative to street drugs.

More at: Victoria mayor writes to province in favour of medical cannabis club

Treatment for Addiction

Let's prioritize drug users in recovery for supportive housing and services. Because one cannot recover while sleeping on the streets.

Public Safety & Policing

Non-Police-Based Public Safety

More Crisis Response, Community Led team, Integrated Mobile Crisis Response Team, and Victoria Integrated Community Outreach Team.

Police Funding

Let's defund VicPD and allocate the difference to address poverty crime at the source.

Police Wrongdoing & Accountability

We need more transparency! Let's release investigation reports into bylaw officer misconduct.

Upstream Causes of Crime

Let's spend less on law enforcement, and more on housing.

Public Spaces & Services

Green Space

Green rooftops!

Public Washrooms

Pandora Avenue needs its own public washroom. No more excuses!

Our council members merely beg the provincial government for more money instead of acting: "Dave Thompson says those who live and work in the area regularly need to clean urine and feces from their doorways, gardens and sidewalks, since the only facilities are closed after 9 p.m." More at: 24/7 bathroom needed for Pandora homeless encampment, Victoria councillors say

Sidewalks & Bike Paths

Love them! Even better: more pedestrian priority zones!

Reconciliation & Indigenous Nations

Indigenous-Led Housing

I fully endorse Indigenous housing initiatives like the Rematriate Stewardship Project.

More at: XAXE TENEW Sacred Land Society fundraising to build safe spaces for Indigenous women, children, two-spirited people

Land Title & Governance

I fully support DRIPA. Land back!

Residential Schools

No more residential school denialism on public property.

Transit & Getting Around

Private Vehicles & Parking

This city needs less private vehicles and more public transit. Then let's turn excess parking space into more useful amenities.

Sidewalks & Bike Paths

Love them! Even better: more pedestrian priority zones!

Transit Projects

Universal fare-free transit!

Walking & Cycling

More pedestrian priority zones and bike lanes!

Misc. topics

Human rights abroad

Let's sign the apartheid-free city pledge. Free Palestine!

More at: [Designate Victoria an Apartheid-Free City](<Designate Victoria an Apartheid-Free City>)

Biography

submitted by the candidate or their team
I'm a community advocate and activist supporting any good cause. If you've attended a protest or advocacy event in town in the past four years, we've probably met. I champion human rights, from Turtle Island to Palestine!

I used to be a software developer until chronic pain forced me out of the profession, and then I tumbled all the way down to homelessness. I'm among the rare few who bounced back stronger, and nowadays I advocate for the disenfranchised and marginalized of this city.

I even learned how to navigate the legal system all on my own; I'm currently suing the City of Victoria to have it disclose investigation reports into rampant bylaw officer misconduct within the department, and I've been involved in several more legal complaints against the municipality, either as an advocate or in a support role.

Right now the electorate's top concern is homelessness. Well, I used to be homeless for five years, I've volunteered daily for three years, and I've been advocating for five years! How about putting someone with lived experience in charge?

Media coverage

  1. From Victoria to Paris, the world is watching a fading American democracy
  2. Tenants from Village on the Green rally for housing security
  3. Protest encampment near Victoria City Hall dismantled after bylaw visit
  4. ‘People are going to die’: Victoria group protests encampment crackdown
  5. Anticipated duel over SOGI doesn’t materialize at B.C. legislature
  6. Entrevue avec Martin Girard : Victoria limite les abris dans les parcs
  7. Victoria’s plan to better enforce daytime sheltering rule will fail, advocates say
  8. We Unify conference did nothing to unify Victorians this past weekend
  9. Rally called to protest Victoria event featuring convoy organizers, ‘transphobic’ speakers
  10. Campaigners urge Victoria for homelessness action, criticize item seizures
See Martin Girard's election promises

Reason for running

submitted by the candidate or their team
I'm running for the two thirds of residents who don't vote in local elections. I myself have never cast a vote because every candidate struck me as disconnected from my concerns. I’m done making excuses; if no candidates meet my criteria, then it’s up to me to assume the role!

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martingirardforvictoriacouncil.ca

Contact

martin.girard@martingirardforvictoriacouncil.ca

Facebook: Martin Girard on Facebook martingirardforvictoria

Instagram: martingirardforvictoria on Instagram