By CFJC Today

CANDIDATE PROFILE

CANDIDATE PROFILE: Ray Dhaliwal

Sep 22, 2022 | 2:42 PM

Ahead of the Oct. 15 municipal election, CFJC Today asked candidates for Kamloops City Council to complete a questionnaire, offering voters the chance to evaluate their candidacies.

QUESTIONNAIRE:

Describe yourself, your occupation and your historical connection to the Kamloops area.

I am 65 years old; election night is my birthday! I was born and raised in Kamloops, a fourth generation Kamloopsian. My family has been in Kamloops for over 110 years, my roots are deep in Kamloops. I went to school on the North Shore and attended Cariboo College. I have always lived on the North Shore in Brocklehurst. Our family farm was in Brocklehurst on Popp Street from 1959 to 1983 then sold to develop housing. I am married for over 45 years, raised three of my nephews and nieces; always have had dogs as part of our family. Currently a miniature long red-haired Dachshund which was a rescue a few years ago, a valuable member of our family.

I have been a member of the Kamloops Multicultural Society for 45 years and have been the president for 15 years. We host the Canada Day Celebrations and Folkfest in Kamloops for the past 45 years. I am a member of the Brocklehurst Lions Club, the North and South Business Improvement Associations, the Kamloops Chamber of Commerce, the Anavets, and the Royal Canadian Legion, I’m also a past board member of the Brock Seniors Society and past North Shore Rotary Club. I have co-sponsored the first Pride Parade in Downtown Kamloops, Sponsored the first Kamloops Chamber Gold Tournament as the title sponsor, am the title sponsor of the first North Shore Business Association Tapestry Festival on the 24^th of September – another multicultural event in Kamloops.

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I have always been self-employed from 17 years old in the family garage business since 1973, which is still in business today serving our citizens. I started a locksmith business while still working at the family garage in 1982, Rays Lock and Key Service, which I still own and run to this day. In 2017, I bought Browns Repair Shop, another locksmith business, which has been in Kamloops for over 100 years, and we still operate this business today. I was a councillor in 2017 in the City of Kamloops. I am ready to serve my community as mayor of the City of Kamloops.

What differentiates you from the other candidates?

I am a lifelong Kamloopsian and have an extensive background in volunteering for our city. As a long-time business owner with 50 years owning and operating successful businesses that are still in operation to this day, I have great business sense that I will bring to the Mayor’s Office. Supporting the youth of our community is a priority of mine. Opening doors and creating opportunities for our youth has always been top of mind.

What do you think is the best way to resolve disagreements or conflicts with your peers, those in a different department or those in a different jurisdiction?

As a business owner for over 50 years, I have extensive experience in resolving disagreements and conflicts. With that experience in the private business world, I would as mayor bring that to City Hall. Through dialogue, I have always found solutions that all parties when brought together and discussed have resolved the issues that have come up. I have never said it can’t be done, there is always a resolution to any problem and can be solved with great dialogue. I have an extensive business and people network that I rely on for things that I do not know and use them to resolve disagreements and conflicts as they arise. I will use them as mayor of the City of Kamloops.

What do you think is the biggest issue facing the City of Kamloops and how would use your elected position to address it?

The largest issue facing Kamloops right now is the gap between management and staff. Our foundation of our city has crumbled leading us to the problems we see on the streets and services Kamloops used to provide. With Human Rights Tribunals and Arbitrations costing the city hundreds of thousands of dollars to resolve taking away resources and time that should be dedicated to running the city to resolve these issues.

How do you plan to involve Kamloops residents in your decision-making?

As mayor of the City of Kamloops I will be forming advisory committees in different areas that need attention, example: safety and security. I will be forming a task force of our citizens consisting of ex RCMP members, ex bylaw officers, and others. Community members to address areas in the city that need attention, including neighborhood associations. Also, the building community consisting of members of the Home Builders Association to name a few. As a strong mayor, I would enlist our Citizens to be a part of the conversation to make our city a strong progressive place do business with.

What does a sustainable future for Kamloops and area look like to you and what does it need from mayor and council?

A sustainable future for Kamloops is a broad question, there are lots of things we can do better from how we deal with trash to energy consumption to recycling. As mayor of the City of Kamloops, I will be involved with being a part of the conversation regarding sustainability.