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Former View Royal mayor leaps in race as federal Liberal candidate

David Screech will seek the Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke seat where MP Randal Garrison currently serves
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Former View Royal mayor David Screech is the acclaimed federal Liberal candidate in the Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke riding. (Black Press Media file photo)

A former View Royal mayor is the official federal Liberal candidate for the Esquimalt-Saanich-Sooke riding.

David Screech, a four-term councillor and two-term mayor in View Royal, said it is an honour to be acclaimed by the Liberal Party of Canada.

“I believe this election to be one of the most important in Canadian history.  I am deeply concerned that Canada is at a crossroads where our values are being confronted and challenged,” he said in a news release.

Screech was also the long-time owner/operator of Gregg’s Furniture and Upholstery Ltd. in Victoria. Its iconic downtown Victoria shop closed in September 2024 after Screech said deteriorating safety around the business was “the tipping point.”

He described vehicle break-ins, people defecating on or near his store property, and someone pulling a knife on an employee in the store’s parking lot.

“My many years in local politics and operating a business, have enabled me to develop a deep understanding of the aspirations, concerns and hopes of people across our region,” Screech said. “This is not an easy time for many people. The record shows I’ve worked hard over the years for people across the Capital Region and beyond. The people in this riding deserve more. There’s much work to be done. I’m not afraid of hard work.”

Screech’s campaign kicks off with support from longtime member of Parliament Keith Martin, who represented the riding from 1993 to 2011.

“As a local businessperson, former mayor, and committed public servant, David Screech will be an outstanding MP for our community.  David will fight for our riding and our Canada,” he said.

The riding is currently represented by NDP MP Randall Garrison who announced in April 2023 that he wouldn’t seek re-election.

“It has been a privilege to serve my constituents and to work with MPs across the country to help make Canada a better place for us all,” Garrison said at that time. “As an out and proud member of the 2SLGBTQ1+ community, I hope that I have demonstrated that diversity is one of our strengths as a nation and that more diverse parliaments make better laws.”

- with files from Canadian Press

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