GK's Overwhelming British Columbian Endorsement

Kennedy Receives Overwhelming Endorsement from Federal Liberals in B.C.

Vancouver, BC - Following last week's leadership debate at UBC's Chan Centre for the Performing Arts, party members from across British Columbia have joined together to endorse Gerard Kennedy, as next leader of the Liberal Party of Canada. Kennedy has now received the backing of Richmond Member of Parliament Raymond Chan, former Vancouver Mayor and Senator Larry Campbell, nine of BC's riding presidents and a majority of the LPCBC executive.
The quotes below represent just a few of the things that Liberals in British Columbia are saying about the Kennedy campaign:

"Gerard's commitment to the success of new Canadians and his support of British Columbia's role as Canada's gateway to the Asia Pacific clearly shows he is committed to Western Canada. His belief in a balanced approach between enterprise and social development demonstrates that he is the best candidate to lead the Liberal Party."

-Raymond Chan, MP, Richmond, Gerard Kennedy Co-Chair BC


"The Liberal Party needs Gerard Kennedy's leadership skills so that we can continue to develop a vibrant agenda for our cities including ongoing support for our successful safe injection site here in Vancouver. Gerard has an impeccable record of serving the less fortunate throughout his career - the Liberal Party needs that same sort of practical compassion today if we are going to defeat this mean spirited Harper government."

-Larry Campbell, Senator


"As a former Liberal MPP in Ontario I have worked closely with Gerard. I knew back then he was destined to lead our national party one day. I have complete faith that Gerard will renew the Liberal Party and defeat Stephen Harper in the coming election."

Sterling Campbell, Former Ontario Liberal MPP, Riding President, Vancouver Island North


"Gerard Kennedy is a new and exciting voice for the Liberal Party of Canada. He brings a new perspective to solving the problems facing the Party and Canada today."

Craig Munroe, Riding President, Vancouver Quadra


"He is the only candidate that can communicate with rural Canadians to win seats outside of urban centers. Gerard Kennedy understands the issues facing Liberals in rural ridings across the country."

Parveen Sandur, Riding President, Okanagan - Coquihalla


"When you hear Gerard speak you understand that he is not giving lip service to the problems that face Canada. He truly cares about the people and the country. His work at the Food Bank and as Minister of Education is truly inspiring."

Tar Bing, Riding President, Nanaimo Alberni


"Gerard Kennedy has put in place an ambitious and well thought out plan to help immigrants reach their potential. Gerard Kennedy is a leader and understands the needs of my community. He is the only candidate who he beat Stephen Harper, Jack Layton and Gilles Duceppe."

Gurdev Dhillon, Riding President, Burnaby New Westminster


"Gerard can win the next election because he is both the best candidate to renew the party and present a fresh, new voice of Liberalism to the Canadian public. Those qualities combined with his commitment to pressing issues like the environment make him my choice for leader"

Stephen Kukucha, Campaign Director, British Columbia (1997), Executive Director - BC Minister's Regional Office, Senior Policy Advisor, Minister of Environment


"Gerard understands the difficulty of growing up in rural Canada. Gerard's experiences are pan Canadian and will help him to renew the Liberal Party from coast to coast to coast. Gerard will help us elect more rural representation for the Liberal Party in the next election."

Gurbax Saini, Past Candidate, Cariboo- Prince George


"Gerard has the energy and experience to take down Stephen Harper in the next election. Gerard brings new passion and purpose to the Liberal Party."

Dale Flood, Former LPCBC Executive Director


"As a life long Liberal who has happily knocked thousands of doors in inclement weather during the past 22 years, I am proud to offer my heartfelt support to Gerard Kennedy as he campaigns for leader.

Liberals need a leader who understands that our party and our country cannot succeed without strong, vibrant Liberal representation from the West. No other candidate comes close to knowing British Columbia better than Gerard. As a native son of the Pas Manitoba, Gerard Kennedy represents our best hope for successful party renewal and victory in the next election."
Bruce Young, Former Senior Advisor (British Columbia), Office of the Prime Minister


"Gerard understands that Canadians have their own voice. He has made clear his position on our foreign diplomatic policies. He also recognizes that Canadians need to promote entrepreneurship to compete and lead in today's global economy."

Thomas Marshall, Former Outreach Director, LPCBC


"Gerard Kennedy can help us win a Liberal seat on Vancouver Island North. He has a strong record of helping society's most vulnerable and brings no baggage with his candidacy. Gerard represents tried and tested Liberal values."

Jim Mitchell, Past Candidate, Vancouver Island North


"Gerard Kennedy gives me hope that we can win more rural ridings in British Columbia. Stephen Harper and Jack Layton should be very scared of Gerard's competency to mobilize the rural grassroots electorate. Gerard Kennedy will win us more rural Liberal seats and help us reconnect with the average Canadian."

Chanchal Bal, Gerard Kennedy Co-Chair BC


"I joined the Liberal Party as a youth delegate at our last leadership convention. I joined the Liberal Party because I was inspired by leaders such as Laurier, Pearson and Trudeau, Liberal leaders that made Canada the nation it has become today. Liberal leaders that made Canada give to the world the concept of peacekeeping, the notion of a just society, multiculturalism and a belief in a responsibility to protect. I believe once again that it will be a Liberal leader who will empower our country with the tools that will be necessary for us to continue on a certain path towards greater opportunity, economic prosperity and environmental sustainability in the 21st century. I believe we have found such a leader worthy to lead the Party of Laurier, Pearson and Trudeau and his name is Gerard Kennedy.

Gerard has proven himself in every endeavor thus far, whether managing the Toronto food bank or as a great Education Minister in Ontario as a competent, compassionate visionary. Gerard has the compassion and vision that says ours must be the party that builds a society where every Canadian counts, every Canadian matters, every day, all the time."

Coco Lefoka, YLCBC President


"Gerard Kennedy's policy to bring equality to women in the workplace is a prime example of his ability to recognize a problem and provide a just solution. Gerard Kennedy is a breath of fresh air that will reinvigorate the Liberal Party and give Canadians the Canada they deserve."

Jen Hatton, Gerard Kennedy Co-Chair BC


"As the Liberal party goes through a period of renewal we need someone like Gerard Kennedy. He has shown a dedication to public service throughout his career and knows what it will take for our party to regain trust and support of the electorate in Western Canada."

David Brodie, Former Senior Special Assistant (Northern and Western Canada), Office of the Prime Minister


"Gerard has the unique ability to rebuild the Liberal Party and defeat Stephen Harper. Gerard will usher the Liberal party and Canada into a new era of prosperity."

Kuldip Singh Jhand, LPCBC Nominations Chair


"Gerard Kennedy is the uniting force we need in the Liberal Party right now. Gerard's history as a decisive, daring and diligent manager has led to repeated success beyond all expectations. Whether feeding the poor or helping to bring down Ontario's Conservative government, Gerard Kennedy has devoted his life to progressive pursuits that have made Canada a better place.

In Gerard Kennedy, I see a man who speaks eloquently about his vision, yet is authoritative on the practical minutiae of effective governance. I am proud to campaign for Gerard Kennedy, both within my party and on the doorsteps of Canadians."

Cameron St. John, LPCBC Policy Chair


"Gerard's campaign is a compelling movement and exciting to be part of. His youth team is dedicated, diverse and determined to make a difference in this race by electing a truly forward-thinking and inclusive leader. Gerard has the right balance of experience and fresh ideas to make the Liberal party successful in this new century."

Braeden Caley, VP Internal of the Young Liberals of Canada (BC)


It's rare to find a candidate with the right mix of experience, social conscience and new ideas to lead a political party. Gerard Kennedy has all those qualities and is running for all the right reasons. I am very pleased to support him for leader of the Liberal Party of Canada.

Dean Crawford, Former Senior Advisor, Office of the Minister of Justice


In addition to those listed above Kennedy's campaign has also received the support of the following prominent British Columbia Federal Liberals:

• Jatinder Sidhu, Riding President - Abbotsford, Past candidate - Dewdney Alouette
• Prem Vinning - Past Candidate, Surrey North
• Steve Vander Wal, Former Senior Advisor to the Federal Environment Minister and
Former Senior Advisor to the B.C. Minister of Health
• Justyna Jonca, Former Senior Advisor to the Leader of the Government in the Senate
• Tex Enemark - former federal Liberal candidate, Vancouver Centre
• Ian McKay - former Senior Policy Advisor, Minister of Industry
• Doug Leung, Federal Liberal Campaign Manager, Vancouver Quadra (2000, 2004 & 2006)
• James Hatton, Secretary, LPCBC
• Neil Sweeney, former Legislative Assistant to the Federal Minister of Finance and former Deputy
Chief of Staff to the Premier of BC
• Mike Brooks, Former director of Liberal Caucus Research, Victoria
• Bud Hoffard, Riding President, Richmond
• Ivan Curman, Riding President, Vancouver-Kingsway
• Marcel Juneau, Riding President, Pitt Meadows- Maple Ridge- Mission
• Shannon Salter, LPCBC Communications Chair
• Blanche Juneau, Past Candidate, Pitt Meadows- Maple Ridge- Mission
• Shelby Caravetta, VP Services of the Young Liberals of Canada (BC)
• Rajinder Sandhu, VP Membership of the Young Liberals of Canada (BC), and President of the SFU Burnaby Young Liberals
• Aadil Jesani, President, SFU Harbour Centre Young Liberals
• Kam Kaila, President, SFU Surrey Young Liberals
• Scott Ross, President of the UBC-Okanagan Young Liberals
• Taylor Biggs, President of the UBC Young Liberals
• Sana Shahram, Past President, UBC Young Liberals
• Shasta Benhaim, VP Internal, UBC Young Liberals
• Laura Holvor, VP Communications, UBC Young Liberals
• Adam Trombley, VP Finance of the Young Liberals of Canada (BC) and Past President, University of Victoria
Young Liberals
• Matt Stickney, VP Finance, UBC Young Liberals
• Brent O'Connor, VP, UBC Young Liberals
• Angela Crimeni, VP Membership, UBC Young Liberals