Allegations of misinformation and trying to mislead voters reared its head at the Kelowna Chamber mayoral forum on Oct. 4.
The clash started between Colin Basran and Tom Dyas over the city91裸聊视频檚 crime rate.
Dyas mentioned several times that according to Statistics Canada data, Kelowna was the crime capital of the country in 2021. The data is based on a Central Metropolitan Area (CMA), per 100,000 population, covering Lake Country to Peachland.
Basran disagreed, pointing out that if West Kelowna, Peachland, Lake Country, and WFN lands were taken from census data, Kelowna is 14th in the province and 54th in the country when it comes to crime.
91裸聊视频淚s leadership really about tarnishing our city91裸聊视频檚 brand in order to make yourself look good?91裸聊视频� asked Basran. 91裸聊视频淥r is it about looking to find solutions?91裸聊视频�
Dyas shot back that Basran was comparing apples to oranges.
91裸聊视频淗e91裸聊视频檚 trying to mislead voters, and discredit people91裸聊视频檚 experiences,91裸聊视频� said Dyas. 91裸聊视频淭his is our town, our community, we need to take the steps to make it better and not wait for other levels of government to do it for us.91裸聊视频�
Basran and Dyas clashed again after forum moderator, Chris Walker with CBC Kelowna, noted that the Electoral Boundaries Commission of BC has suggested a fourth provincial riding for Kelowna. He asked Basran if he would commit to serving a four-year term if he wins the municipal election.
91裸聊视频淥oh, great question, scandal,91裸聊视频� Basran said, smiling. 91裸聊视频淚 get this question every time I run for office. That is something that I would look to do moving forward if elected.91裸聊视频�
Basran also spoke about his relationships with the provincial and federal governments and added that he was the only candidate at the table who has those.
Dyas called that absurd and said Kelowna has a voice, but it hasn91裸聊视频檛 been used effectively, and that91裸聊视频檚 why the community is experiencing some challenges.
91裸聊视频淵ou can91裸聊视频檛 have one foot in and one foot out,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淵ou need to have two feet into this job and not be afraid to communicate to those levels to move the dial on things that are important to this community.91裸聊视频�
Basran drew boos from the crowd when he claimed that Dyas only lobbied a federal finance minister one time, five years ago to protect his own business interests.
91裸聊视频淚91裸聊视频檓 not sure what the two-feet-in reference is in regards to,91裸聊视频� said Basran. 91裸聊视频淚 co-chaired the Urban Mayor91裸聊视频檚 Caucus91裸聊视频elected by my peers as a result of the relationships that I have with ministers at the provincial and federal level.91裸聊视频�
The rest of the forum was uneventful, with all candidates answering questions on housing affordability, social issues, and why they should be mayor.
Silverado Socrates said she doesn91裸聊视频檛 believe she was invited to another mayor candidate forum on affordable housing being put on next week by the Canadian Homebuilders Association.
91裸聊视频淚 think they wouldn91裸聊视频檛 like me there because I think they should be taxed,91裸聊视频� said Socrates. 91裸聊视频淚f they have enough money to build homes, it should be going to the people living here that are struggling.91裸聊视频�
Regarding social issues, David Habib talked about the drug crisis in Kelowna.
91裸聊视频淭here91裸聊视频檚 a ton of people on the street with mental health issues that rely on those drugs for survival,91裸聊视频� said Habib. 91裸聊视频淲e need to get a permanent roof over their heads and start the recovery process for them, not put them back on the street and expect them to stay healthy.91裸聊视频�
During closing comments, Glendon Charles Smedley explained to the audience why he would make a good mayor.
91裸聊视频淚 would want your input, always,91裸聊视频� he said. 91裸聊视频淜elowna needs a mayor who cares about you. Choose someone who wants the city to become an enjoyable place to live.91裸聊视频�
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gary.barnes@kelownacapnews.com
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