Joining my Cariboo RD Areas "A" + "C" colleagues -- I observed tonight's All Candidates Forum for both Quesnel Mayor and City Councillor (6) -- all but one of the 18 running for Quesnel Councillor and all three people running for Quesnel Mayor (Ron Paull, Coralee Oakes, Brian Waters) were in attendance
In the 2.5 hour session -- candidates for both Quesnel Mayor + City Councillor, after introductory and closing comments, answered questions relating to public safety, working with local social agencies, sustainable growth, attracting investment to Quesnel, understanding the Truth and Reconciliation Commission recommendations and how to apply those learnings to Quesnel
Questions asked of candidates for Quesnel City Councillor:
* measurable results for safe downtown core
* Long Term Planning for Sustainable Growth
While questions asked of those running for Quesnel Mayor were:
* Balance needs of vulnerable residents and community members, business, etc ….
* Attracting investment to Quesnel
* How would you work with local First Nations, the Cariboo Regional District and provincial/federal governments to coordinate infrastructure investments across the region
* Do you believe bylaws are being enforced fairly in the downtown core
* What are Quesnel Council's responsibilities in supporting the 2SLGBTQIA+ community?
* What would you do to simplify permitting, regulations, and approval process to make it easier for businesses to get started, and grow?
* How will you include the needs of the youth of Quesnel in your planning and decision making?
* What is your understanding of the respective roles of Bridges, The Grace, and shelter, and how they work together to support people who are unhoused or at risk?
* What strategies would you implement to support infrastructure renewal and attract new investment to Quesnel?
* Taxpayers are tired of seeing public monopolized by addiction and disorder what is your timeline for restoring law and order to help our businesses disorder
* How will you contribute to TRC and its recommendations as it relates to “Highway of Tears” aka Highway 16
* If elected, what staff cutbacks would you like to see…..
One question that raised eyebrows during the Quesnel Mayoral debate was criticism of Quesnel City Manager Joel McKay not residing in the City of Quesnel proper which saw a strong rebuke of the question from incumbent Quesnel Mayor Ron Paull and his chief opponent, Coralee Oakes as being inappropriate and that the City of Quesnel was very lucky indeed to have Joel McKay as its' City Manager which earned a strong round of applause. The question asked here does go against unspoken practice that CAO or Chief Administrative Officers' are "off-limits" when it comes to all candidates forums and questions for elected officials
It was acknowledged, by way of intervention of incumbent Quesnel Councillor Scott Elliott, at the end of the Quesnel Councillor debate that incumbent Quesnel Councillor Deb McKelvie wanted to attend the All Candidates Forum but was unable to do so and her absence was acknowledged by way of a round of applause
Certainly -- voters in Quesnel have its' work cut out for them to select 6 people (among 18) for Quesnel City Councillor and to select 1 one from among 3 to become the next Mayor of Quesnel
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