Endorsements

Philippe Lucas is a City Councilor who understands the important role the arts play in creating a dynamic urban environment. Philippe is a person who backs up his beliefs with concrete action. Philippe has been a board member of the Vancouver Island School of Art for the last two years; he has played an active role in many of our community outreach programs, established cooperative relationships amongst members of the community and VISA, and has contributed a range of useful ideas related to our operations and programming. In these times of financial restraint, and with arts programming amongst the most vulnerable in terms of cutbacks, it is critical that we have municipal leaders who endorse and promote arts at the community level.

Wendy Welch
Executive Director, Vancouver Island School of Art
October 2011

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I just read about you in and article by Dogwood! http://dogwoodinitiative.org/blog/ubcm-resolution-LR6

I want to say a very sincere Thank You for sticking up for what is right, and fighting against increase tanker traffic in the Strait of Juan de Fuca.

As an avid surfer, and a land owner in Jordan River, this means a lot to me personally.

Congrats on all the hard work, and thanks again.

Keep it up,

Warren Tanner

Chief Marketing Officer

HitSend Inc.

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I’ve worked with Philippe on numerous urban agriculture and food security projects over the past few years, and his commitment to and support for a healthy local food system has had a huge and positive impact. We really need Philippe on the Council to continue moving forward supportive urban agriculture and food security policies for this region.

Wishing you all the best Philippe!

Danielle Stevenson
Former Executive Director of LifeCycles Project Society

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Philippe is a champion of civil rights. He is knowledgeable and willing to tackle important issues to keep our community healthy and safe.

Bernadette (Bernie) Pauly RN, Ph.D

Associate Professor, School of Nursing

Scientist, Centre For Addictions Research of B.C. (CARBC)

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Dear Councillor Lucas,

After hearing your interview on CBC radio on Friday discussing the Occupy Victoria protests I want to express my gratitude and support for your thoughtful and reasoned position.  It was such a relief to hear analysis from a public official that was so inclusive and sensible.  I only hope that your views are shared among the City Council more broadly.

Thank you for breaking down the them and us division that is so easily resorted to when covering civil protest.  You are right, these protestors represent many, if not all, of us and while I haven’t been down there myself and may not at all, I am grateful for these dedicated people for speaking (and camping) on my behalf as well.  Thank you for taking responsibility for the Council’s part in enabling citizens to exercise the right to assembly and protest and for recognizing the importance of the messages of the protest.  And finally, thank you for working constructively with the protestors to find cooperative ways to share public space and draw together different groups in our City.  I would certainly be honoured to be offered hot chocolate by the protestors while using the outdoor ice rink that is planned if that were to come to happen.

Regards, Carly Macoun

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 I have known and admired Philippe Lucas for a number of years as a student, researcher, service provider and advocate active in the health and substance use arena in Victoria. He is a true leader and an inspiration to many for his selfless and pioneering work on such important projects as the Victoria Compassion Club and organizer of public forums concerned with addiction and harm reduction. Were he to be elected to the city council , I’m sure he has the energy, skill and vision to ensure both environmental and social concern issues are well represented in decisions about the future of Victoria.

Tim Stockwell, PhD

Director, Centre for Addictions Research of B.C.

University of Victoria

Co-Leader, Mental Health and Addictions Research Network

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Philippe Lucas is a strong advocate for and expert on sustainability, harm reduction, addictions and community involvement.  He will bring new energy and a holistic approach to municipal governance.  Philippe is a strong voice for community engagement, consultation and government accountability.  As well Philippe will give Council a new perspective and expertise on issues related to homelessness, addictions and mental health.

Dean Fortin for Mayor-Victoria,

Lynn Hunter, Pam Madoff Candidates for Council – Victoria

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Philippe is intelligent and works incredibly hard. He is passionate about social justice and public policy, and has been engaged in his community by volunteering on several regional advisory boards and committees for the City of Victoria while somehow also working full-time, completing a Masters degree, and conducting research. He is a noted expert in harm reduction strategies, regularly called on to consult with all levels of government on this important area of public policy, which is, of course, critically important to the Victoria and the capital region at this time. Philippe will bring rigour and a capacity for thoughtful deliberation to Victoria Council, and will be an asset to the municipality and to the capital region as a whole. He has my unreserved support and endorsement.

Jane Sterk

Leader, Green Party of BC

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Philippe Lucas is the perfect candidate for Victoria’s city council. He is hardworking, compassionate and inclusive. Philippe has a wealth of experience working in the community and he brings intelligence and compassion to all of his work. He also has innovative solutions for housing, homelessness and environmental sustainability, all of which are sorely needed in Victoria right now.

Susan Boyd, PhD

Associate Professor – Studies in Policy and Practice

University of Victoria

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The fundamental question facing us in a democracy is what society we wish to create for ourselves and for future generations. How we answer that will define what policies we espouse. In supporting harm reduction, Philippe Lucas is not only endorsing the most efficient, inexpensive and effective approach to drug addiction. He is also envisioning a society that is caring and compassionate towards people who have suffered far more than most of us can imagine and who are the most disenfranchised, ostracized and marginalized amongst our fellow citizens.

Gabor Maté, M.D.

Author of  In the Realm of Hungry Ghosts: Close Encounters with Addiction

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Philippe Lucas cares about making Victoria a livable city for everyone. He has clear, practical ideas on addressing affordable and accessible housing, environmental sustainability, and safe streets.

Michael J. Prince, PhD

Lansdowne Professor of Social Policy

University of Victoria

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Philippe is smart and principled. He is committed to wise management of resources in support of a healthy community. He knows how to get things done and is willing to take risks for what he believes in.

Joel Solomon

CEO – Renewal

Chair – TIDES Foundation

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In the three years that I have known Philippe Lucas, he has been dedicated to improving the social, health and economic conditions in Victoria. He would be an excellent city councilor.

Dr. Scott Macdonald

Assistant Director

Center for Addictions Research of British Columbia

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I want to be on record that I support Philippe Lucas’ candidacy for Victoria City Council. We need the vision of change that these environmental people bring to our local politics. I am a local, downtown businessman and live the day to day aspects of street people and their affect on merchants. We need a change, but not a conservative heavy police action change but a liberal minded caring approach that creates lasting help. We also need improved inner city traffic control, with friendlier pedestrian and bicycle ways and greater public transit. Our air, water and earth are precious and I believe that Philippe  will be a leader in protecting these precious commodities in a “think global, act local” fashion.

Bill Finley

Owner of Hemp and Company and Shift Natural Fashion clothing boutiques

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