It turned out to be a Ravi Kahlon town hall Saturday afternoon (Sept. 28) at what should have been an all-candidates' meeting for the North Delta candidates in the upcoming provincial election.
The incumbent NDP MLA was the lone candidate to appear at the meeting organized by the Delta Residents' Association at the Northside Community Church, as Manqoosh Khan with the Freedom Party of BC, Raj Veauli with the Conservatives and Green candidate Nick Dickinson-Wilde indicated they were unable to attend.
Kahlon answered questions on a range of issues from the environment, health care, cost of living, education, transit and transportation and, of course, housing.
Saying he is passionate about his community, health care, more amenities in North Delta and opportunities for kids, he highlighted accomplishments for the community where he resides including the new North Delta Secondary track as well as a new track to come at Seaquam Secondary after the province made a financial commitment to the City of Delta.
The first few questions posed focused on housing issues, with Kahlon noting he is in favour of much more housing close to transit, but it is also important to add housing in existing single-family neighbourhoods.
Kahlon, who has been front-and-centre in the housing debate as the government's Minister of Housing, said a single-family house on a lot has become out of reach for most, but splitting property into two or three smaller parcels provides a better opportunity for families.
Asked about his stand on public hearings for proposals that meet an Official Community Plan (OCP), Kahlon responded it's important to first engage the community and take the time to give an opportunity to help shape a plan.
The province has mandated that B.C. municipalities update their OCP's by the end of 2025, but Delta council approved a new OCP for the city earlier this year.
"The Official Community Plan is a guide how we move forward. I believe that the community should be engaged and, in fact, I'm hearing from lots of people are engaging about Delta's right now. I know when a community plan is built, the entire community is engaged in it, but, when there's individual projects, the community is not engaged in it.
"So, what we've told local governments is go out and engage the community, make a plan, decide where you want the parks, decide where you want the amenities, decide where you want housing and where you don't want housing.
"Once we have that plan, let's start creating opportunities to get that housing. So, yes, I'm supporting in going in that direction, but I have also said to the city here in Delta that you have until the end of next year. There's plenty of time to engage the community, to hear from the community. There's no need to rush it. There's no law that says you have to do it next week or next month. Take your time, hold community forums, get people engaged and then do the work," Kahlon said.
As far as adequate infrastructure, Kahlon noted a provision is in place for communities to reject applications if they don't first meet the test of having the infrastructure in place, and that the amenities also need to be there.
Another all-candidates' meeting in North Delta is scheduled for Oct. 10 at Seaquam Secondary, organized by the Delta Chamber of Commerce.
Election night is Oct. 19.
