Allegations of misinformation and trying to mislead voters reared its head at the 91大黄鸭 Chamber mayoral forum on Oct. 4.
The clash started between Colin Basran and Tom Dyas over the city鈥檚 crime rate.
Dyas mentioned several times that according to Statistics Canada data, 91大黄鸭 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 91大黄鸭, Peachland, Lake Country, and WFN lands were taken from census data, 91大黄鸭 is 14th in the province and 54th in the country when it comes to crime.
鈥淚s leadership really about tarnishing our city鈥檚 brand in order to make yourself look good?鈥� asked Basran. 鈥淥r is it about looking to find solutions?鈥�
Dyas shot back that Basran was comparing apples to oranges.
鈥淗e鈥檚 trying to mislead voters, and discredit people鈥檚 experiences,鈥� said Dyas. 鈥淭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.鈥�
Basran and Dyas clashed again after forum moderator, Chris Walker with CBC 91大黄鸭, noted that the Electoral Boundaries Commission of BC has suggested a fourth provincial riding for 91大黄鸭. He asked Basran if he would commit to serving a four-year term if he wins the municipal election.
鈥淥oh, great question, scandal,鈥� Basran said, smiling. 鈥淚 get this question every time I run for office. That is something that I would look to do moving forward if elected.鈥�
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 91大黄鸭 has a voice, but it hasn鈥檛 been used effectively, and that鈥檚 why the community is experiencing some challenges.
鈥淵ou can鈥檛 have one foot in and one foot out,鈥� he said. 鈥淵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.鈥�
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.
鈥淚鈥檓 not sure what the two-feet-in reference is in regards to,鈥� said Basran. 鈥淚 co-chaired the Urban Mayor鈥檚 Caucus鈥elected by my peers as a result of the relationships that I have with ministers at the provincial and federal level.鈥�
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鈥檛 believe she was invited to another mayor candidate forum on affordable housing being put on next week by the Canadian Homebuilders Association.
鈥淚 think they wouldn鈥檛 like me there because I think they should be taxed,鈥� said Socrates. 鈥淚f they have enough money to build homes, it should be going to the people living here that are struggling.鈥�
Regarding social issues, David Habib talked about the drug crisis in 91大黄鸭.
鈥淭here鈥檚 a ton of people on the street with mental health issues that rely on those drugs for survival,鈥� said Habib. 鈥淲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.鈥�
During closing comments, Glendon Charles Smedley explained to the audience why he would make a good mayor.
鈥淚 would want your input, always,鈥� he said. 鈥�91大黄鸭 needs a mayor who cares about you. Choose someone who wants the city to become an enjoyable place to live.鈥�
READ MORE: Peachland mayoral candidates square off in all candidates forum
READ MORE: Interior Health warns of pamphlets advertising ivermectin for sale in 91大黄鸭
gary.barnes@kelownacapnews.com
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