New Kelowna councillors intend to improve public discourse
At Monday's swearing-in ceremony, Tom Dyas pledged to find more ways to listen and communicate. Asked what that would look like, he acknowledged there is room for improvement.
The swearing-in of new Kelowna councillors marks the start of a new council term, with re-elected Mayor Tom Dyas vowing to enhance communication and listening skills among the city's officials. Dyas confirmed there is room for improvement in public discourse, acknowledging that councillors have been hesitant to speak publicly about issues before council debates.
However, the city is exploring potential changes to address this issue. The city's code of conduct does not explicitly prohibit councillors from expressing their opinions on municipal matters before council, but Dyas believes it is inappropriate to share information before a decision has been made, as new information during deliberations could alter a councillor's stance.
Critics argue that limiting public discussion until after decisions are made raises concerns about transparency and accountability. Some of the new councillors, such as Les Bellamy and Kevin Kraft, insist that they have no issue with speaking to the media before council meetings, as they believe the code of conduct does not prevent them from doing so.
Bellamy plans to introduce a motion urging city staff to investigate ways to improve communication between the community and council, potentially through dedicated public input time at meetings or town halls.
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