Housing and public safety among top concerns in Victoria mayoral candidates debate
Victorians lined up outside city hall on Wednesday to cast an advance vote for the next leader of the city.
Across the street, those vying to be the next mayor squared off in a live debate hosted by Victoria radio station CFAX 1070.
Five of the eight candidates took part in the debate: Marianne Alto, Stephen Andrew, Brendan Marshall, Lyall Atkinson and Rafael Fuentes.
Also in the race for mayor, but not at the debate, are David Arthur Johnston, Rod Graham and Michelle Wiboltt.
Alto and Andrew, both current city councillors, are widely considered the frontrunners.
"You have a network, you have all important name recognition, so I think – with all due respect to the six other candidates running – this is really a two person race," said David Black, a professor at Royal Roads University who focuses on social and political communication.
For those who were trading barbs at the debate Wednesday, there were similarities in what they considered to be the most pressing issues for the city.
Public safety, affordable housing and accessible healthcare were among the most talked about issues.
When it comes to housing, the most divisive issue has been the missing middle initiative that would allow multiplexes to replace single-family homes across the city without zoning changes.
It's an issue so controversial that it was kicked down the road by the current council for the next one to decide.
The topic is one that the two mayoral frontrunners are divided on.
"In its current form is immature policy, and any policy that divides our community in half is bad policy," said Andrew.
The other current councillor running for mayor disagreed.
"I felt it was ready to go, obviously the majority of council did not," said Alto.
While the first ballots were cast Wednesday for municipal elections across the province, we won't know who will be Victoria's next mayor until after the general voting day on Oct. 15.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Here's how much more Canadian landlords are asking for now, according to a just-released report
A new report says the average asking rent for a home in Canada in April was up 9.3 per cent compared with a year ago, while a slight month-over-month increase was also recorded for the first time since January.
Rare severe solar storm Friday could bring spectacular aurora light show across Canada
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
What is basic income, and how would it impact me?
Parliamentarians are considering a pair of bills aiming to lift people out of poverty through a basic income program, but some fear these types of systems could result in more taxes for Canadians who are already financially struggling.
Canada abstains from Palestinian UN membership vote but supports two-state solution
Canada was one of 25 countries that abstained from a United Nations vote on Palestinian membership that passed with overwhelming support on Friday.
'I may have some nightmares:' Man survives being bitten by 2 sharks in Bahamas
A man who was bitten by two sharks in the Bahamas said Thursday he's 'thankful that I'm here' while sharing his story of survival.
Out-of-control wildfire burning near Fort McMurray
As of 9 a.m. on Friday, the wildfire burning 28 kilometres southwest of the northeastern Alberta city was 25 hectares in size.
Mexico's president accuses press and volunteer searchers for missing people of 'necrophilia'
The administration of Mexico's president has accused the press and volunteer searchers who look for the bodies of missing people of 'necrophilia,' comments that drew criticism this week.
Magnitude 4.2 earthquake reported off Vancouver Island's west coast
A 4.2-magnitude earthquake was recorded west of Vancouver Island early Friday morning.