The Kamloops Daily News reports, “It’s become a tradition of every municipal election. The Kamloops Farmers’ Market will be the site of the first all-candidates’ forum of the campaign. This Saturday, which is also the last day of the market for the season, mayoral and councillor candidates get two minutes on the podium. The forum is being sponsored by the Kamloops chapter of the Council of Canadians, and as such candidates are being asked to state their views on an issue relevant to the group, such as fair trade, clean water, energy security or public health care. Audience members get a chance to ask questions on any topic. All mayoral and council candidates have been invited to attend the forum, which begins at 10 am.”
The municipal elections across British Columbia take place on November 19.
Municipal issues that we are following in BC include:
-On October 4, British Columbia’s municipal leaders voted, overwhelmingly, in favour of a ‘Blue Communities’ resolution at the Union of British Columbia Municipalities conference. Initiated by the Burnaby City Council, this resolution shows dedication from municipalities all over the province to support the idea of developing more Blue Communities. More at http://canadians.org/blog/?p=10896.
-On October 21, the Abbotsford Times reported, “The plan to establish a $300-million (public-private partnership) water source and treatment centre at Stave Lake by 2016 is the primary issue in the upcoming civic election.” Council of Canadians chairperson Maude Barlow raised this issue when she was in Abbotsford at a public forum on CETA, http://canadians.org/blog/?p=11339. A referendum on this P3 is scheduled to take place on the same day as the municipal elections, November 19.
-This fall, the Kamloops chapter has been involved in the debate over a two-level, 350 stall parkade in the Lorne Street parking lot adjacent to Riverside Park, http://canadians.org/blog/?p=11114. This will doubtlessly be debated during the municipal election campaign.
-At least five municipalities in British Columbia (Burnaby, Logan Lake, North Vancouver, Spallumcheen, Trail) have passed resolutions expressing concern with/ opposition to the Canada-European Union free trade agreement now being negotiated, http://canadians.org/blog/?p=11008.
-In Delta/ Ladner, community opposition to the South Fraser Perimeter Road is likely to be a campaign issue, http://canadians.org/campaignblog/?p=7681.
