麻豆精选 mayor Colin Basran says he鈥檚 ready to run on his record, as he faces what could be a stiff challenge in the upcoming civic election from a close friend who is now publicly questioning his leadership over the last four years.
On Wednesday, former 麻豆精选 Chamber of Commerce president Tom Dyas announced he will run against Basran in the Oct. 20 civic election. Basran is seeking a second term as mayor.
During his announcement, Dyas repeatedly said better leadership is needed at city hall.
鈥淲e can do better,鈥� said Dyas.
Basran, currently at the Union of B.C. Municipalities Convention in Whistler, hit back Thursday reeling off a long list of achievements under his leadership during the last four years at city hall including:
鈥� 麻豆精选 having one of the strongest municipal economies in the country
鈥� Having the best development year in the city鈥檚 history last year, and on pace to surpass that this year
鈥� Seeing continuous record-breaking years for passengers at the 麻豆精选 International Airport and now being on-pace to see two million passengers this year
鈥� 鈥淯nprecedented鈥� investment in the downtown core
鈥� Being named the best place in B.C. to start a company and be an entrepreneur by the Canadian Federation of Independent Business, and one of the most fiscally responsible cities in Canada
鈥� Recipient of $150 million in senior government grants over the last four years, including a $60 million grant to improve the water system in the South East 麻豆精选
鈥� Approval of more than 3,000 new rental units over the last four years
鈥� Bringing a majority of all social agencies, as well as community and business groups, together to support the Journey Home Strategy to address homelessness, a report he said will not sit on a shelf, but is now being implemented
鈥� The city鈥檚 participation in helping settle a transit strike few years ago
鈥� Making 麻豆精选 a more inclusive and accepting community for people of all genders, faiths, races and sexual orientations
鈥� Helping develop a healthy and growing arts and culture scene in the city
鈥� Transportation improvements, including the recently opened John Hindle Drive and soon-to-open paved Rail Trail
鈥� Strengthened relationships with Okanagan College, UBC Okanagan and Interior Health
鈥淎nd I could go on,鈥� said Basran. 鈥淚鈥檓 proud of the leadership I鈥檝e provided.鈥�
He said he was very surprised someone he considered a close friend would run against him for mayor, but said he intends to run a positive campaign, adding if Dyas鈥檚 entry into the race helps further debate on the issues, all the better.
Dyas and Basran have been close in the past, and have travelled together both as representatives of the city and privately. Both men went on holiday to New York last year to celebrate Basran鈥檚 40th birthday.
Dyas said Basran was 鈥渢aken aback鈥� when he learned of Dyas鈥檚 mayoral challenge. But, he said, despite that he hoped the two could remain friends.
As for Basran, he said he was was 鈥渂lindsided鈥� by the move. And he rejected Dyas鈥檚 contention city staff require better leadership than they are currently getting from him and the current city council.
He described the relationship between council and city staff as a 鈥済ood working relationship.鈥�
鈥淏ut council sets the objectives for staff to follow,鈥� he said.
Dyas also cited poor communication and a lack of transparency from the current council in announcing his mayoral run. Basran refuted that, citing inclusion of many local organizations in the Journey Home Strategy as just one an example of the city desire to talk to, and listen to, the public.
Turning away from the election, Basran said he was happy with the reception he received from the B.C. ministers of health, poverty reduction and municipal affairs and housing in Whistler Wednesday at the UBCM convention as he continued to seek provincial support, and funding, for initiatives called for in the Journey Home Strategy.
He said it was clear the province supports what the city is doing addressing homelessness and said he was told it should serve as an example for other B.C. communities to follow.
As for the funding wants to help provide the supportive housing and support services called for by the strategy, Basran said he is very optimistic Victoria will help come through with money.
The city is currently working with B.C. housing on a number of social housing projects, with 100 units expected to be completed early next year.
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