The Kelowna Chamber of Commerce's acting CEO Colleen Clark speaking to candidates, Loyal Wooldridge, Michael Humer, and Bryce Tippe at the forum on Oct. 10, 2024.

(JESSE TOMAS / iNFOnews.ca)

The housing and toxic drug crises, and taxes were the biggest concerns for those who attended an all-candidates forum in Kelowna Thursday.

BC NDP candidate Loyal Wooldridge, Independent candidate Michael Humer and the BC Greens Bryce Tippe fielded questions at the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce all-candidates forum for the riding of Kelowna Centre, Oct. 10. The chamber held forums for the Kelowna-Mission and Kelowna-Lake Country-Coldstream ridings earlier this week also at the Coast Capri Hotel.

BC Conservative candidate Kristina Loewen declined the invitation from the business group saying she was too busy.

When forum moderator CBC Kelowna’s Sarah Penton mentioned the reason for Loewen’s absence, the crowd responded with sporadic laughter.

The candidates were asked how they would handle tent cities, short-term rental regulations, and the speculation and vacancy tax which addresses how people use residential properties.

Humer emphasized the importance of a multi-faceted approach to solving homelessness.

“Downtown businesses are having difficulty with the financial implications, with the crime, addictions issues, mental health issues. I would say housing is not the only thing to do, or that housing is not the only solution to homelessness, or even to poverty. It's prevention,” Humer said.

On the issue of short-term rentals, Tippe said it’s sensible to regulate those who purchase housing as an investment.

READ MORE: BC Conservative candidates dodge Kelowna chamber forum and interview requests

“If every single person within real estate or who owns a house right now went up and bought a second piece of real estate to own short-term business that cuts the housing supply in half. We need to have more common sense policies and further regulate the housing market so then we're not driving up the costs of housing,” Tippe said.

Wooldridge said focusing on building more housing will positively impact other areas of concern like tourism and education.

“When we talk about tourism, when we talk about education, it really hinges on people having stable and secure housing. And that has to be our focus,” he said.

Voters also questioned candidates on how they would work with First Nations, and what ought to be done about the recent closure of the BC Tree Fruits Cooperative.

Wooldridge touched on his experience working with Westbank First Nation as a city councillor, as well as the BC Conservatives’ plan to put a second bridge across the lake through WFN land without consultation.

“You've come out with a big shiny toy to get everyone excited to win an election when really, even in the timeline they promised, it can't be done because you have to consult with Indigenous people and the land alone would probably take 10 to 15 years to manage,” Wooldridge said.

Tippe was critical of the BC NDP regarding the BC Tree Fruits closure.

“That should have never happened, the BC NDP should have stepped in, bailed it out and taken over management” Tippe said. “The fact that it was allowed to close and leave the poor farmers left to fend for themselves... the BC NDP completely botched that.”

When asked about whether candidates have a responsibility to answer questions from voters Humer criticized Loewen for not showing up to the forum.

“If (the BC Conservatives) don’t show up now they won’t show up after the election,” Humer said. “You’ve got to be there, you’ve got to answer, you’ve got to show up.”

Humer emphasized that his position as an Independent candidate would free him from partisan loyalties.

“I'll have the opportunity to advocate not based on party priorities or policies. I won't be whipped by my party. I'll be whipped by the electorate, the chamber of commerce and the city council,” Humer said.

Election day is Oct. 19 but advanced voting has begun, click here to register to vote.

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