BRAD SIEBEN

1. How have you advocated for the LGBTQ+ community and supported inclusion for the LGBTQ+ community in the past (i.e. have you spoken out publicly for policies at your place of business, testified before government bodies, adopted written policies for your employees, marched for equal rights, etc.)? Please feel free to include events you have participated in and relevant organizations who have endorsed you. 

As a member of the current Kelowna City Council, our City Council unanimously supported the painting of rainbow crosswalks.  Mayor Basran, as the spokesperson for the city and the representative of our Council, has provided strong leadership in promoting Kelowna as "a place for everyone" and he has had the full support of Council in these efforts.  I'm proud of the positive, inclusive environment this Council has championed over the past four years.  

2. Please comment on your opinion of the SOGI123 resources from the Ministry of Education. 

The SOGI 123 website states that "SOGI 123 helps educators make schools inclusive and safe for students of all sexual orientations and General identities."  I am 100% supportive of all initiatives that help achieve this goal.

3. The LGBTQ community in Kelowna continues to face harassment, bullying and violence because of sexual orientation and/or gender identity. How will you work to promote a safer, more inclusive Kelowna?

The current Council that I am a part of has been a loud voice in promoting Kelowna is a "place for everyone."  I am committed to work with the LGBTQ community to understand these challenges and implement solutions.  ALL citizens in our community need to be feel safe.

4. Mental health and addictions issues have impacted our community like many others. The LGBTQ+ community is disproportionately affected due to many social and economic factors. What will you do to improve and address these issue, and improve the mental health and wellness of our community?

Addictions and mental health issues affect as aspects of our society.  I see our City Council taking a much more active role this next term as an advocate to the Provincial Government to provide rehabilitation and far greater resources for addictions and mental health.  Where communities are disproportionally affected (LGBTQ, First Nations, others), customized programs may need to be created based on increased communication with the respective communities.

5. LGBTQ+ youth and young adults routinely leave Kelowna for larger cities once they have reached the age of majority. What factors do you think lead to this mass exodus, and what would you do to address these issues?

I believe we have taken major steps in the last four years to create a more inclusive environment in Kelowna.  I believe Kelowna has evolved and has become a more welcoming place where "you can be who you were born to be."  I recently spoke to a new resident who shared that he and his husband chose Kelowna to be their home vs. other cities in North America (they had the ability to live anywhere they cost to live)  as they felt this Kelowna was welcoming, inclusive and provided a high quality of life.  This shows that progress has been made.

6. Ally is a verb. How would you specifically support our QTBIMPoC (Queer, Trans, Black, Mixed Race, Indigenous, People of Color), immigrants and refugees, and ensure they see themselves represented in our community?

Continue open dialogue to learn how ALL or our citizens feel.  Support must be tailored to meet the needs of our citizens only when we truly know how they fell, what they require and how best ti implement strategies.  The key is to have open and dialogue and channels by which to communicate.  I'm committed to discuss these issues anytime.