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BC Conservatives introduce 'go-getter' candidate for False Creek

The BC Conservative who'll run in Vancouver-False Creek this election says his riding is ready for a "go-getter" -- and that he's the candidate for them.

"I best describe myself as a fiscal conservative, and socially liberal," Ian Tootill told a crowd gathered inside Creekside Community Recreation Centre in False Creek this morning, at an event announcing his candidacy. "In a nutshell, I believe we should be empowered to pursue our business and personal lives without fear of heavy-handed government."

Tootill has worked in the financial services sector for nearly two decades and operated his own investor relations firm for the past five years. In the past he's advocated for pet causes, spearheading an initiative for on-street parking for motorcycle and scooter riders in Vancouver. But he says his biggest concern as a candidate is the economy.

"Number one, who the hell can afford a home in Vancouver? How are your kids going to afford a home here?" he asked the crowd.

Tootill said that rampant taxation and government spending in the province prevents B.C.'s economy from flourishing.

"For over two decades this province has been ruled by a political oligopoly consisting for the most part of two parties," he said.

Tootill said his party presents a more fiscally responsible option than the governing Liberals and the BC NDP, who he says want to increase taxation and "interfere with every aspect of our lives."

"What's worse: people that admit they can't balance a budget, or people that say they will and then don't? They haven't practiced what they preach. [The BC Liberals] are a tired, faded brand, and they need replacing. They've got to go."

Tootill is running against former Vancouver mayor and BC Liberal Sam Sullivan, a career politician, but he sees his own lack of political experience as a great advantage in winning him votes.

"People don't like politicians, and in some cases, rightly so," said Tootill. "They haven't conducted themselves very well. They've not told us the truth; they've done things that they haven't had the social license to do; they've treated people appallingly; they've treated the position like they're entitled to it."

He said that Vancouver suffers a sharp divide between rich and poor, and his solution is to reduce the cost of government and keep money in the pockets of earners. Tootill said that he has talked to people in his riding, and many share his sentiments that the government should not "be looking after things from cradle to grave."

"The Vancouver-False Creek riding traditionally votes free enterprise. It's an educated riding; it's a younger riding. These are people that are go-getters; they want a go-getter, and that's what I am."

Tootill will run against Sullivan, Daniel Tseghay for the BC Greens, Matt Toner for the BC NDP and Sal Vetro for the BC First Party.

Other candidates the BC Conservative Party announced today are Jeff Sprague for North Vancouver-Lonsdale, David Hutchinson for Vancouver-Kingsway and Bryce Crigger for Nanaimo.

Carly Rhianna Smith is completing a practicum at The Tyee.

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