Was this Kelowna mayor’s last state of the city address? | iNFOnews | Thompson-Okanagan's News Source
Subscribe

Would you like to subscribe to our newsletter?

Current Conditions Mostly Cloudy  22.4°C

Kelowna News

Was this Kelowna mayor’s last state of the city address?

Kelowna Mayor Colin Basran delivers his State of the City address to members of the Chamber of Commerce, Wednesday, March 16, 2022.

It’s a Kelowna tradition that, each spring, the city’s mayor gives a State of the City address at a Chamber of Commerce luncheon.

That tradition resumed in person today, March 16, after two years of virtual addresses because of COVID, with Mayor Colin Basran speaking to a full house of chamber members at the Coast Capri Hotel.

As expected, he talked about the wonderful things the city has been doing of late and the challenges it faces, but his closing comments left many wondering about his future as mayor.

“This could possibly be the last time I get to do this so I want to acknowledge a few people here before I take your questions,” Basran said at the end of his half-hour speech.

First and foremost, he thanked his parents, who were in attendance, then his children, staff, council and chamber members.

“Just in closing, I have to say this has been an amazing journey, both personally and professionally, and it’s been an absolute honour being your mayor,” Basran said, with some emotion in his voice.

“My council colleagues and myself look forward to finishing this term strong and we will not shy away from making tough decisions through to the end of our last meeting.”

READ MORE: Andre Blanleil pondering another run at Kelowna city council; Who else?

Not unexpectedly, the first of only two questions asked by chamber members was whether he was going to run for re-election.

“I will say, at this time, I’m not prepared to make any announcements about my political future,” Basran said.

Basran was first elected as a city councillor in 2011 and as mayor in 2014, being re-elected in 2018 while easily defeating former chamber president Tom Dyas.

Last winter, Kelowna-Lake Country MLA Norm Letnick said he was considering taking a run for the mayor’s chair but later announced he would not.

No one else has come forward to say they want the mayor’s job.

READ MORE: MLA Norm Letnick won't be seeking Kelowna mayor's job in fall election


To contact a reporter for this story, email Rob Munro or call 250-808-0143 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above. 

News from © iNFOnews, 2022
iNFOnews

  • Popular kamloops News
  • No referendum for $150M Kamloops RCMP building
    Kamloops voters will soon be asked to decide whether to give their blessing for a new Kamloops RCMP building, along with a host of less expensive projects. Similar to the Build Kamloops loan
  • Kamloops RCMP release image of person of interest in dumpster fires
    Kamloops RCMP have released a photo of someone related to an ongoing arson investigation with the hope someone recognizes him. Police were called to a dumpster fire near the 100-block of Vic
  • RV strikes roof at Kamloops hospital entrance
    Royal Inland Hospital took some damage when an RV struck the building Monday afternoon. All entrances to the Kamloops hospital remain open, but signs of an impact remain on the ceiling at th
  • Missing person team fields new tips on Ryan Shtuka's disappearance
    It has been over six years since Ryan Shtuka went missing from Sun Peaks Resort, and while his case remains unsolved, his story is still fresh in the eyes of the public who continue to provide tip
  • Injured mountain biker rescued near Kamloops
    Paramedics and search crews scrambled to pick up an injured mountain biker near Kamloops this past weekend. Emergency crews were called to the Tranquille area for a rider with a suspected sp
View Site in: Desktop | Mobile