Was this Kelowna mayor’s last state of the city address?

It’s a Kelowna tradition that, each spring, the city’s mayor gives a State of the City address at a Chamber of Commerce luncheon.

That tradition resumed in person today, March 16, after two years of virtual addresses because of COVID, with Mayor Colin Basran speaking to a full house of chamber members at the Coast Capri Hotel.

As expected, he talked about the wonderful things the city has been doing of late and the challenges it faces, but his closing comments left many wondering about his future as mayor.

“This could possibly be the last time I get to do this so I want to acknowledge a few people here before I take your questions,” Basran said at the end of his half-hour speech.

First and foremost, he thanked his parents, who were in attendance, then his children, staff, council and chamber members.

“Just in closing, I have to say this has been an amazing journey, both personally and professionally, and it’s been an absolute honour being your mayor,” Basran said, with some emotion in his voice.

“My council colleagues and myself look forward to finishing this term strong and we will not shy away from making tough decisions through to the end of our last meeting.”

READ MORE: Andre Blanleil pondering another run at Kelowna city council; Who else?

Not unexpectedly, the first of only two questions asked by chamber members was whether he was going to run for re-election.

“I will say, at this time, I’m not prepared to make any announcements about my political future,” Basran said.

Basran was first elected as a city councillor in 2011 and as mayor in 2014, being re-elected in 2018 while easily defeating former chamber president Tom Dyas.

Last winter, Kelowna-Lake Country MLA Norm Letnick said he was considering taking a run for the mayor’s chair but later announced he would not.

No one else has come forward to say they want the mayor’s job.

READ MORE: MLA Norm Letnick won't be seeking Kelowna mayor's job in fall election

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