Kelowna, B.C., metropolis councillor Ron Cannan is accusing Mayor Tom Dyas of bullying.
The general public accusation was made at Monday’s council assembly.
“To me it felt such as you’re bullying me, telling me that I don’t perceive the coverage,” Cannan mentioned.
The coverage Cannan is referring to pertains to procurement and prioritizing shopping for Canadian services.
Cannan introduced forth a discover of movement final month to assessment the coverage and prioritize shopping for native.
The councillor was scheduled to do an interview with International Information on the subject however cancelled on the final minute, after Dyas informed him to “stand down on participating with the media.”
“It’s important to settle for the truth that…there’s 9 of us across the desk and typically now we have a distinction in settlement or place,” Cannan mentioned at Monday’s assembly. “And you probably did shut me down.”
Neither Cannan nor Dyas made themselves accessible for post-council assembly interviews on Tuesday, however at Monday’s assembly, Dyas remained agency on his place he isn’t silencing councillors.
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“Councillors, you recognize, are elected and are free. and I say this brazenly, are free to share their opinions with the media,” Dyas mentioned. “That’s democracy.”
Nonetheless, the mayor additionally reiterated that as per the town’s code of conduct, he’s the first spokesperson on metropolis issues.
“Inappropriate or pointless feedback made by councillors that find yourself within the media distract from all the great work that we, as council and this metropolis, try to perform,” Dyas mentioned.
Dyas used Coun. Mohini Singh’s current feedback as one instance.
Singh urged the brand new Kelowna metropolis signal be created by a Canadian artist.
Dyas mentioned all 5 finalists on the time had been already Canadian.
“I urge warning earlier than making statements that hurt the town’s popularity and are usually not correctly researched or are inaccurate,” Dyas mentioned at Monday’s assembly.
“Let me be clear, I’m not anybody’s boss, and I’m not your boss. I’m not telling councillors what they will or what they can not say, however I do anticipate that we comply with correct course of, and meaning debating issues on the council desk first.”
Kelowna residents expressed blended emotions on whether or not the mayor ought to or shouldn’t inform councillors to keep away from talking to media forward of council debates on points.
“I don’t see why not, why they will’t communicate to the media forward. I don’t suppose they need to be muzzled,” mentioned Kelowna resident Anita Haney.
“Normally I’ve a powerful opinion a technique or one other however on this one I don’t,” mentioned Kelowna resident Marilyn Garnett. “If I’m inclined to agree with one facet or one other possibly extra with the mayor.”
“I perceive the concept behind it. It’s best to focus on issues in council that’s essential too however possibly it was a bit too robust of a directive,” mentioned Gertrude Welder, one other Kelowna resident.
In keeping with Dyas, it’s a directive that’s in one of the best curiosity of the town.
“That isn’t about limiting anybody’s voice. It’s about defending the integrity of our choices, respecting our employees and sustaining the general public’s belief and respecting the group that we stay in,” Dyas mentioned.
“Once we take the time to get issues proper, we strengthen confidence in our work underneath the group constitution.”
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