Rod Graham
Are you associated with or running as part of a slate? If so, which one?
No. Independant.
Do you live in the municipality where you are running, and if so, for how long? If not, what is your connection to that community?
Yes.
What is your occupation, and for how long?
I am semi-retired. Retiring soon. I am a freelancer.
Tell us about your previous elected and/or community experience.
I have been an activist in some capacity for 45 - 50 years. I campaigned to reduce the amount of wasted paper in Canada - You will see my Save Our Trees No Flyers Please stickers from St John’s Newfoundland to Masset, B.C. I campaigned for several politicians over the years and found it very fulfilling helping to make a difference in our country. My good friend, Nick Ternete, was among my good friends and enjoyed campaigning with him over the years.
Why are you running? What’s your motivation?
There is injustice in society - nowhere more evident than Victoria. I think there are many unjust laws targeting the poor in our cities in Canada. These laws go against the fundamental rights of these citizens as outlined in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. These laws should be repealed. We should also establish laws - hate laws - protecting the poor from criminal harassment - such as throwing private property in the garbage and depriving the poor of sleep.There is no real equality - only perceived equality.
What are your top three issues?
1. Justice for the poor. The homeless, the young, the ellderly, and the diisabled. We need oversight of certain agencies - both government and private. The employees in these agencies often abuse, neglect, and harm, willfully and knowingly - to the less fortunate. Stop the sweeps. Stop the criminal harassment. Repeal unjust laws. Implement hate laws
2. Housing for all. I would work to ensure housing for the homeless and for low income and no income.
3. Oversight of agencies who ‘work’ with the less fortunate.
What’s your vision for your community in 25 years?
I would like to see laws implemented to protect the rights of the poor. Hate laws. I would like to have the anti-panhandling, anti-squeegee laws, and other unjust laws repealed. I would like to see justice for ALL. A country where the poor, as well as the well off, can enjoy the dignity to use ubiquitous washroom facilities, to shop and mingle in public spaces, and feel free and happy in the public without being afraid of authorities night and day.
What’s one “big idea” you have for your community?
A free society, where all people - regardless of status or wealth, can be housed, fed, and treated with the same respect and dignity. A country where people in all the municipalities can co-mingle and enjoy the benefits of the municipalities - A community where we are all welcome - not criminally harassed, tormented, and alienated. A just community where we don’t fear the police/security. Where we can go where we want and feel at liberty. A community where all citizens are housed and fed and honored equally. Repeal unjust laws. Implement just laws to protect the less fortunate. A re-imagined national, and civic police.
