Image: Wayne Moore
Kelowna’s mayor says he wants a chance to finish what he’s started.
Colin Basran made official what most have known for months: he’s seeking a second four-year term as the city’s mayor.
Basran says Kelowna’s economy is thriving, town centres are bustling, and arts and culture are blossoming.
“I am not willing to risk this transformation,” Basran said to about 200 supporters on the rooftop of the downtown Innovation Centre. “You have worked too hard to initiate this progress, and it is with your support today that I want to make sure we do not lose this positive momentum.”
Basran was elected mayor nearly four years ago, after serving one term as councillor.
While he checked off several accomplishments of the current council, he says one issue stands at the forefront for the next council to tackle.
“Social issues, for sure. We need to work to find homes for everybody in our community, make sure they are supported and make sure they can be the best they can possibly be.”
“It’s expensive, it will take a lot of political will and, at the end of the day, it’ll be the right thing to do,” he said.
Basran touted Kelowna as having the number one job market in the country and being one of the fastest-growing regions in the country.
It also has the fourth most expensive housing costs in the country, making it a challenge to attract younger workers to the city.
“But, we keep chipping away at it with every new development application, working with BC Housing on below-market-rent housing. There are a number of different strategies we are working towards to create housing.”
Basran is the first candidate to declare his intentions to seek the mayor’s chair. Voters go to the polls Oct. 20.
In 2014, without an incumbent in the race, eight people ran for the mayor’s chair. In 2011 and 2005, five people ran, while in 2008 and 2002, there were only two names on the ballot.
All Biz Releases Stories
