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 city香蕉视频直播檚 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.
香蕉视频直播淚s leadership really about tarnishing our city香蕉视频直播檚 brand in order to make yourself look good?香蕉视频直播� asked Basran. 香蕉视频直播淥r is it about looking to find solutions?香蕉视频直播�
Dyas shot back that Basran was comparing apples to oranges.
香蕉视频直播淗e香蕉视频直播檚 trying to mislead voters, and discredit people香蕉视频直播檚 experiences,香蕉视频直播� said Dyas. 香蕉视频直播淭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.香蕉视频直播�
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.
香蕉视频直播淥oh, great question, scandal,香蕉视频直播� Basran said, smiling. 香蕉视频直播淚 get this question every time I run for office. That is something that I would look to do moving forward if elected.香蕉视频直播�
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 hasn香蕉视频直播檛 been used effectively, and that香蕉视频直播檚 why the community is experiencing some challenges.
香蕉视频直播淵ou can香蕉视频直播檛 have one foot in and one foot out,香蕉视频直播� he said. 香蕉视频直播淵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.香蕉视频直播�
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.
香蕉视频直播淚香蕉视频直播檓 not sure what the two-feet-in reference is in regards to,香蕉视频直播� said Basran. 香蕉视频直播淚 co-chaired the Urban Mayor香蕉视频直播檚 Caucus香蕉视频直播elected by my peers as a result of the relationships that I have with ministers at the provincial and federal level.香蕉视频直播�
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 doesn香蕉视频直播檛 believe she was invited to another mayor candidate forum on affordable housing being put on next week by the Canadian Homebuilders Association.
香蕉视频直播淚 think they wouldn香蕉视频直播檛 like me there because I think they should be taxed,香蕉视频直播� said Socrates. 香蕉视频直播淚f they have enough money to build homes, it should be going to the people living here that are struggling.香蕉视频直播�
Regarding social issues, David Habib talked about the drug crisis in Kelowna.
香蕉视频直播淭here香蕉视频直播檚 a ton of people on the street with mental health issues that rely on those drugs for survival,香蕉视频直播� said Habib. 香蕉视频直播淲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.香蕉视频直播�
During closing comments, Glendon Charles Smedley explained to the audience why he would make a good mayor.
香蕉视频直播淚 would want your input, always,香蕉视频直播� he said. 香蕉视频直播淜elowna needs a mayor who cares about you. Choose someone who wants the city to become an enjoyable place to live.香蕉视频直播�
READ MORE: Peachland mayoral candidates square off in all candidates forum
READ MORE: Interior Health warns of pamphlets advertising ivermectin for sale in Kelowna
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