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.