Pubdate: Thu, 12 Jan 2006 Source: Daily Courier, The (CN BC) Copyright: 2006 The Okanagan Valley Group of Newspapers Contact: http://209.115.237.105/kelowna/publish/include/letterToEditor.php Website: http://www.kelownadailycourier.ca Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/531 Author: Steve MacNaull CANDIDATES SAY DOWNTOWN NO. 1 PRIORITY All the candidates agree: downtown crime and homelessness is Kelowna's No. 1 problem. However, solutions differed depending on political stripe. "The issue has given Kelowna a black mark," said Liberal candidate Vern Nielsen at Wednesday's Kelowna-Lake Country all candidates forum at the Coast Capri Hotel. "We have to dedicate resources such as more RCMP officers to fight organized crime and drugs." Conservative candidate Ron Cannan said the "catch and release" program the justice system has for drug offenders has to stop. "We have to crackdown on crime with mandatory prison time for gun and drug crimes," said Cannan. NDP candidate Kevin Hagglund said the root problem is child poverty leading to crime. "We can take back the downtown streets of Kelowna with drug counselling, affordable housing and child care," said Hagglund. Green Party candidate Angela Reid agreed with Hagglund that poverty is the root cause of most crime, homelessness and drug addiction. "Addicts are ill, and we have to offer them treatment," added Action Party of Canada candidate David Thomson. The Kelowna Chamber of Commerce sponsored event was the first all candidates forum to be held in the riding for this election. It was structured so there was no bickering amongst the candidates. All five were given time for an opening statement. Each, in order, was asked to answer four questions and then all five made closing comments. Conservative finance critic Monte Solberg's recent comments that the party would ignore the $5.2-billion Liberal deal to improve housing and health care for natives put Cannan on the defensive. "We are committed to aboriginals, but it would have to be fiscally responsible," he said. Prime Minister Paul Martin's comment that he's in favour of eliminating the not withstanding clause in the charter of rights prompted some fast talking. The clause basically allows the government to overrule court decisions. Nielsen said he was "surprised" when Martin came out with it and said he didn't have enough information to make a decision on keeping or scrapping the clause. Cannan and Hagglund feel the not withstanding clause should be kept intact, while Reid said changes to the charter should only be made through a democratic process. In her opening statement she urged people: "Rather than vote left or right, vote forward for the Green Party." In their opening comments, both Cannan and Nielsen promised to get a passport office in Kelowna. Hagglund promised government with a social conscience by focusing on prosperity and justice and respect, dignity and programs for seniors, families and workers. "We need to take control of our economic destiny and reinstate the power of the Bank of Canada and get out of NAFTA, which is harmful to our health and wealth," said Thomson. - --- MAP posted-by: Beth Wehrman