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www.oakvillebeaver.com The Oakville Beaver, Friday February 9, 2007 - 9 Turner says party-switch won't change his representation By Jason Misner SPECIAL TO THE BEAVER He has changed parties, but Halton MP Garth Turner says his role remains the same. At a press conference in Milton yesterday morning, two days after announcing his switch to the Liberals, Turner said he's confident he made the right decision and that he'll continue to fight for the causes he's been championing. "I'm the same guy I was two weeks ago, a year ago. I'm not going to change. Being part of the Liberals now is just going to strengthen what we're doing," he said from his Milton Main Street constituency office. He added it wasn't a decision he made lightly. "The last four months (since being ousted from the Conservatives) have been intense for us... I tried hard to figure out the best way to be an MP moving forward." The move will allow him to be more effective in Parliament and give Halton more prominence, he said. GRAHAM PAINE / OAKVILLE BEAVER HERE'S WHAT HAPPENED: Halton MP Garth Turner talks to the media during a press conference at his Milton constituency office. Turner said he met with Liberal leader Stephane Dion to ask, "Is there a place in the Liberal party for someone like me?" Coming out of the meeting, Turner said he felt confident there was room for his philosophical -- as a fiscal conservative and social moderate -- ideals and outspoken style. He added, chuckling, he feels confident Dion knows what kind of an MP he's getting. "My way of being a member of Parliament is pretty transparent." Turner said his meeting with Dion was "refreshing." "Dion's not an `emperor-in-waiting' the way Mr. Harper is. He's almost an unpolitician." Turner is now facing some criticism of his own, some of it stinging, from former party members. Burlington Conservative MP Mike Wallace said it would appear Turner is making the switch for political reasons. "He was making this claim he could do a better job representing his constituents as an independent because he can say anything he wanted," he said. "Well, isn't he going against his own word?" Wallace also noted that Turner favoured byelections for those who crossed the floor. Turner refuted the criticism at the press conference, pointing out he didn't simply switch sides but was ousted by the Tories and then sat as an independent. "I didn't cross any floor," he said. He explained he offered to resign Wednesday if Harper would call a byelection, but that the Prime Minister wouldn't commit to doing that before the next election. Resigning without that commitment would leave Halton residents with nobody looking after their interests, Turner said. "Our riding could be eight months without anyone representing them," he said, adding, "I didn't get elected to abandon this riding." He expects an election in May, and that Halton residents will have a chance then to express their opinions about having him as their Liberal MP. TAX SALE SAVE GST&PST STOREWIDE! OFF ALL REGULAR PRICES * WEEKEND Randy Winterle Mr. David Sanci, President of Oak-land Ford Lincoln is pleased to welcome back Randy Winterle as "Sales/Leasing Manager" Randy has been away for 14 years, but returns with 14 years of Sales/Leasing Management experience, almost all of which with Ford/Lincoln products. Please feel free to drop by anytime for any of your vehicle needs or call him at 905 844 3273. e-mail rwinterle@oaklandfordlincoln.ca Hurry! ds Sale En ! y Sunda DOORCRASHER SPECIALS! * Limited Quantit ies! $ 349* ANDERSON RECLINA-REST RECLINER $ 799* GIBSON 100% LEATHER ROCKER-RECLINER Come in and experience the difference Oak-Land makes. SAVE $400! SAVE $650! OAK-LAND FORD LINCOLN 570 Trafalgar Rd., Oakville www.oak-land.com AT THE Q.E.W. THE FAMILY ROOM SuperStore Queensway Sherway Gardens Gardiner Expressway 905-844-3273 ETOBICOKE/DOWNTOWN 1611 The Queensway Gardiner at 427 (East of Sherway Gardens) (416) 253-0555 Monday - Friday 10 a.m. - 9 p.m. Saturday 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. Sunday 10 a.m. - 5 p.m. *Save at least the GST and PST equivalent off regular retail prices. No further discounting and limited quantities on Door Crasher Specials. Not all product available at all stores. Limited time offer. Kipling Ave HWY 427 www.lazboytoronto.com