Kelowna City Councillor Mohini Singh wants to make sure the city香蕉视频直播檚 new signature sign is designed by a Canadian artist香蕉视频直播攁nd only a Canadian artist.
香蕉视频直播淚n light of today香蕉视频直播檚 environment, where we are supporting our Canadian talent and focusing on made-in-Canada goods, I wondered if there was any appetite to strictly focus on Canadian artists doing the Kelowna sign,香蕉视频直播 Singh said at a council meeting on Feb. 24.
But Deputy Mayor Luke Stack quickly pointed out that the city has rules when it comes to awarding contracts.
香蕉视频直播淚f we were going to change our policy, we would have a debate independent of this,香蕉视频直播 he said.
City Manager Doug Gilchrist added that most contracts already go to Canadian companies.
香蕉视频直播淲e always look for those opportunities but stay within our procurement and trade guidelines that we are obligated to follow,香蕉视频直播 he explained. 香蕉视频直播淚f council wanted to make a specific purchasing policy change as a result of what香蕉视频直播檚 going on politically香蕉视频直播攜ou香蕉视频直播檙e welcome to do so.香蕉视频直播
Gilchrist said staff could put together a report on what, if anything, could be changed while staying within the rules.
Singh made it clear that she doesn香蕉视频直播檛 want to see the contract go to an American artist.
香蕉视频直播淚t香蕉视频直播檚 a Kelowna sign. Can we get a Canadian to design the Kelowna sign? I would hate for an American to do it. Maybe a Mexican, maybe a European. In this political environment, that香蕉视频直播檚 the appropriate thing to do,香蕉视频直播 she said.
Stack acknowledged her concerns but reminded her that policies are in place for a reason.
香蕉视频直播淎s the city manager indicated, there is an extremely high chance that this will be a Canadian designer and builder,香蕉视频直播 he said.
The city put out a call for design proposals in December 2024 for the new signature sign, which has a budget of $500,000. That covers everything from design and fabrication to installation and permits. The sign will be located in a green space between Stuart Park and the Kelowna Yacht Club.
Construction is expected to start later this year and continue into 2026.