Community Foundation North Okanagan surveys candidates on 'Vital Vernon' issues

Photo: Jon Manchester

Community Foundation North Okanagan is helping voters stay informed as municipal elections near on Oct. 15.

"As a part of our Vital Signs program and report, we regularly examine the important issues affecting North Okanagan citizens and the region," says executive director Leanne Hammond.

"For election purposes, we have chosen to focus on five critical areas: environmental, social, cultural, economic, and health."

Volunteers with knowledge in those areas researched and prepared questions for local candidates.

The foundation encourages the public to vote and to learn more about the community and our leaders via candidates' responses on the Vital Vernon website.

The questionnaire invited responses from candidates to share their personal views and plans for climate action, among other issues.

"We want to know what candidates think is urgent to achieving the goals of Vernon’s ambitious new Climate Action Plan. Other provincewide topics in B.C. include municipal responses to the housing and toxic drug supply crises," the foundation says.

Addressing proper access to mental and physical health treatment, building relationships with First Nations, growing the culture sector, and the labour shortage are among other topics broached in the survey.

"The purpose of the Vital Vernon website it to help the public get to know the views of each candidate in five critical issue areas that directly impact the quality of life for all North Okanagan residents," says Hammond.

You can check out the candidate's responses here.