The Kamloops Chamber of Commerce and TRU Students' Union have both posed some questions to candidates ahead of the September 30th municipal byelection, hoping to shed some light on issues important to their respective memberships. Kamloops will elect a new mayor and two new city councillors at the end of the month.

Business-related issues can be a hot topic at city council (remember the endless grocery-store wine debate?) so the Chamber has given its network a chance to get some answers from those in the running.

They narrowed it down to four key questions, and answers from most of the 27 candidates are now online at the Chamber of Commerce website. Here’s what they asked:

1. What inspired you to run for council/mayor? 
2. What do you see as the greatest challenge facing the Kamloops business community in the next five years?  What would you do to address that challenge? 
3. How would you gauge the city’s current fiscal responsibility?  What changes would you make, if any?  
4. Our members have indicated that one of the greatest barriers to their businesses is the timeframes and processes that are required by the city.  What opportunities do you see to reduce those barriers?

The Thompson Rivers University Students’ Union also invited candidates to answer questions, some focused on student issues. Among the questions it posed:

1. Students and young people make up a significant and growing part of the City of Kamloops. What will you do to attract and retain this demographic?
2. If you were telling someone who was visiting in Kamloops the one thing they had to do/experience here before they left, what would it be?
3. What do you believe is Kamloops’ most urgent transportation need?
4. What do you see as the biggest challenge that the City of Kamloops will be facing in the next 20 years?
5. What do you see as the biggest opportunity for the City of Kamloops in the next 20 years?
6. What is your proudest achievement?

Answers from each of the candidates are posted on TRUSU website.

The candidates will also be grilled at some upcoming forums, including one on general issues sponsored by local media on September 18th. Another scheduled on September 18th will be focused on seniors’ issues. The North Shore Business Improvement Association and the Kamloops and District Labour Council are also hosting discussions. See a detailed list of dates and times for forums in our Guide to the Kamloops byelection and learn more about the Candidates on our election platform, KamloopsVotes.com.