Incumbent Kamloops mayor Ken Christian answers questions at the all candidate forum at the Kamloops Farmers' Market on Saturday, Sept. 22, 2018 hosted by the Council of Canadians.

(KAREN EDWARDS / iNFOnews.ca)

KAMLOOPS - Voters had questions ranging from cannabis business licences to affordable housing at the first Kamloops all candidate forum ahead of next month's municipal election.

The Council of Canadians hosted the two-hour questions period at the Kamloops Farmers' Market on Saturday, Sept. 22.

Candidates were asked for their views on affordable housing, shelters, diversity around the council table, cannabis business license fees and even if a local currency should be considered for the city.

"I think it's a really interesting idea," mayoral candidate William Turnbull said, adding he's familiar with 'downtown dollars' in other communities that work like gift certificates. Incumbent mayor Ken Christian said the city hasn't considered a unique currency specific to Kamloops.

Another key topic was the development of downtown Kamloops.

Councillor candidate Jennifer D. Adams was asked about her thoughts on a permanent pedestrian plaza in the city's downtown core.

"I live in downtown and I'm very supportive to having more walkability (downtown)," she said.

The City of Kamloops recently launched a pilot project for a pedestrian plaza on 4 Avenue. Adams says the location of the plaza was ideal since it is located between two heritage buildings.

Candidates were also asked about relationships with Tk'emlups te Sewepemc, School District No. 73, more sidewalks in the city, economic development and food security.

"There are two pieces when we look at food sustainability," councillor candidate Sadie Hunter said. "We have to look already existing programs and look at how to support them without duplicating their efforts."

Hunter explained by adding more community gardens, people can grow their own food.

Alison Klie, one of the youngest candidates in the campaign, wants to make information from city hall more accessible for young people.

The councillor candidates present at the forum included Jennifer D. Adams, Nicholas Adams, Dale Bass, Chris Bose, Donovan Grube Cavers, Dieter Dudy, Sadie Hunter, Jimmy Johal, Stephen Karpuk, Alison Klie, Kathy Sinclair, Arjun Singh, Denis J. Walsh and Gerald Kenyon Watson.

The absent candidates included Corally Delwo, Ray Dhaliwal, Dennis Giesbrecht, Shawn Harnett, Caroline King, Mike O'Reilly and Bill Sarai.

Municipal election day in B.C. is Oct. 20.

Go here to check out more opportunities to meet candidates at public forums.

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