Aaron Gunn, the filmmaker behind the online documentary "Vancouver is Dying," is set to make an appearance for a forum in Kamloops on June 21.

Image Credit: YOUTUBE/Aaron Gunn

A controversial far-right filmmaker and "independent journalist" will make an appearance in Kamloops for a forum on crime.

Aaron Gunn, who was once tossed from the BC Liberal leadership race, will be at the Thompson Rivers University Clock Tower Theatre on June 21.

“With Aaron Gunn to outline some facts and solutions, we hope to kick-start a moderated public discussion on how to reduce crime and make Kamloops safer,” former Kamloops city councillor Denis Walsh said in a news release about the event.

Gunn was behind a "documentary" called Vancouver is Dying, that focused on street crime, addictions and homelessness in Vancouver, taking its name from the KOMO News documentary "Seattle is Dying." It was recently followed up with another, "Canada is Dying," which launches heavy criticism against safer supply drug access launched by the province in response to an increasingly toxic street drug supply.

While he's released two documentaries within the past year and labels himself as an "independent journalist," he began working for the far-right online organization BC Proud in 2017, according to his website.

He was a spokesperson for that organization until 2019. He has also worked for the Canadian Taxpayers Federation.

In 2021, the BC Liberals said his leadership "would be inconsistent with the B.C. ­Liberal party’s commitment to reconciliation, diversity and acceptance of all British ­Columbians."

He was rejected from a bid to lead the party.

Weeks before the party made its decision, the BC NDP issued a news release criticizing Gunn for voicing anti-LGBTQ+ views and denying the existence of systemic racism.

While Walsh suggests the forum could help introduce "solutions" to street problems, others question whether it will only lead to an echo chamber for frustrated residents.

"I'm concerned Mr. Gunn will be preaching to the choir because he has strong opinions on issues like public safety," Coun. Dale Bass said. "I have some concerns about some of the media that has followed him about his rhetoric and how he expresses himself, which I worry might just fuel some of the anger in that room."

Alfred Achoba of Canadian Mental Health Association said he would invite Gunn to tour one of their supportive housing sites or shelters, hoping they aren't equated to similar programs in Vancouver.

"I don't think it's the same in Kamloops. I think you see less of an impact here than you find in bigger cities like Vancouver," Achoba said.

A segment of the documentary is focused on overdoses within supportive housing sites and BC Housing-funded buildings, and crime in the Downtown Eastside.

Achoba questions whether the forum will focus on "solutions" to the housing and drug crisis in BC and defended the success of the non-profit's programs in Kamloops.

"We don't run programs just to get funding. We run programs because we believe in it and we know that's the service that's needed in our community," he said.

Gunn's "Vancouver is Dying" documentary is part of his own online series called "Politics Explained."

The event is planned for June 21 from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m., according to Walsh's news release, but it isn't currently listed on the Thompson Rivers University website.

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