CANDIDATE PROFILE: Ivory Winston

I met my wife in Kamloops, and we’ve been married for 15 years. We have three wonderful children – 12 years, 7 years and 1 month old. My wife and I are also registered foster parents with the Ministry of Children and Families. We regularly attend Oasis Church and have been involved in leadership there for many years.

I am running for mayor of the City of Kamloops because I believe I can make a difference, and that my values of respect, integrity, truth and love are values that can serve our city well at this time. I believe our leaders should be held to the highest standard, and that every decision they make should be made through those lenses.

I am a team builder and an ideas person who thrives on dreaming big, working hard and stubbornly persevering no matter the circumstances. I believe in Kamloops and the people of Kamloops, and that we can achieve great things over the next four years. I want to see our city grow in a way that is ambitious, socially responsible, and makes people proud to call Kamloops home.

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

I believe our biggest issue is working together as a mayor and council in a way that truly reflects the desires of Kamloops residents.

My first and foremost priority would be to build a united, cohesive and strong council that operates with respect, integrity, truth and love for one another. I want every member of council to feel heard, appreciated and respected, and for us to work together as the representatives Kamloops has elected to serve its people.

I would also make it a priority to ensure we stay in step with the majority of Kamloops residents on all major decisions, especially significant initiatives and expenditures where the costs will ultimately be carried by taxpayers.

Following a term highlighted by infighting and tension at city hall that impacted Kamloops’ public image, how would you ensure civil discourse and good governance would take place between yourself, fellow elected officials and city staff?

To avoid being repetitive with my answer above, this is a big part of what motivated me to put my name forward for mayor.

I would approach the role of mayor as a privilege, and one that comes with a weight of responsibility to help ensure the team works well together. I would not take the role lightly or presume that I have anyone’s support. I believe that support must be earned.

I would approach the role with humility and work to earn the trust of each member of council and city staff. I would make it my responsibility to help set the tone and standard for how we interact with one another, especially when we disagree.

I would also want to empower our team to take initiative and dream big. One of my goals would be for council and city staff to fundamentally enjoy the experience of working together — to respect one another, challenge one another constructively, and feel that we are accomplishing something meaningful together.

Considering recent years of large municipal tax increases in Kamloops, how would you address the city’s tax rate going forward?

I would make it my mission to find ways to freeze property tax rates. I do not expect that to be easy. There are a thousand competing priorities, most of which require investment that increases year over year. I recognize that as living expenses go up, so too do city expenses.

But I also believe in dreaming big. What if we were able to freeze property taxes? Could we find other revenue streams? Could we become more efficient with the revenue we already have?

I believe strongly in being accountable to residents for every tax dollar spent, and I do not take spending lightly. I would want us to continually confirm that we are getting the best possible value from the money residents entrust to the city.

As major infrastructure projects are on the horizon in Kamloops, how would you prefer the city go about gaining the electorate’s approval – via referendum or the alternative approval process (AAP)? Why?

Neither would be my first choice. Both have their merits and purpose, but neither is ideal.

Referendums cost money to administer and ask already busy residents to participate in another formal voting process. The alternative approval process, on its own, does not give enough confidence that we have actively heard from a majority of residents before moving forward with a major project.

I would like to build a new digital communication platform where residents could easily receive information, provide feedback and participate in polls on major city decisions. The goal would be to hear from a much broader portion of Kamloops — not just a subset of residents or the most vocal voices.

I want a system that makes it easy for residents to participate and gives council greater accountability when moving forward with major decisions.

We could still use a formal process such as the AAP where required, but ideally, we would enter that process already knowing that we had confirmed broad public support for the project.

What are your thoughts on communication between the City of Kamloops and its residents? Are there areas of improvement you’d like to see?

I feel the current level of communication is inadequate. However, I do not believe that is a reflection on city staff, who work hard to communicate with residents through many different channels.

I believe many people have become resigned to the idea that their voice may not matter, or that they don’t really have a say in the decisions being made. I believe strongly in working to change that perception.

Kamloops residents’ matter. Their concerns matter. Their experiences matter.

I want to create an environment of trust and accountability with residents and show people that their voice matters and that they can help shape our city. Communication should not just be about the city sharing information — it should also be about listening and making it easier for residents to meaningfully participate.

by CFJC Today

CANDIDATE PROFILE: Ivory Winston

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