Councillor Ron Cannan calls it some of the most hateful behaviour he乌鸦传媒檚 ever experienced in public office.

He乌鸦传媒檚 referring to some of the feedback he乌鸦传媒檚 received regarding a Jan. 2 column, that appeared on the Kelowna Now website.

In the column, Cannan gives his personal views and predictions for 2024, covering several topics including one that struck a nerve - sexual orientation and gender identity (SOGI) resources in B.C. schools.

READ MORE: Politicians claim Kelowna councillor乌鸦传媒檚 column 乌鸦传媒榩romotes religion over inclusion乌鸦传媒�

Cannan wrote that he expects the school board will continue to get pushback from parents and grandparents regarding the SOGI policy and the 乌鸦传媒渢ransgender movement乌鸦传媒� within public schools.

He says he乌鸦传媒檚 since been attacked by 乌鸦传媒渁 few strong secularists and advocates of SOGI乌鸦传媒� for his Christian beliefs.

Cannan brought the issue up during Monday乌鸦传媒檚 (Jan. 8) regular meeting of council attending via video.

乌鸦传媒淭hey乌鸦传媒檝e harassed me via phone and online sending messages of profanity,乌鸦传媒� Accused me of being a racist, homophobic and spreading hate,乌鸦传媒� he added.

Cannan says the personal attacks and defamatory statements also affect his family.

乌鸦传媒淚 know many people from the 2sLGBTQ population, including my father, whom I dearly beloved,乌鸦传媒� he said. These words and comments are the opposite of being tolerant, respectful and working towards a more inclusive and accepting society.乌鸦传媒�

Cannan did not elaborate on the reference to his father.

He also addressed his fellow councillors.

乌鸦传媒淚乌鸦传媒檓 so sorry that you, my council colleagues, have had to experience this negative pushback for my opinion column. I am far from perfect, however, I trust that you and everyone in this city believe in democracy and reject this intimidating and abusive behaviour towards any elected official for simply expressing one乌鸦传媒檚 honestly held personal predictions and views.乌鸦传媒�

Mayor Tom Dyas, who is currently on vacation, issued a statement two days after Cannan乌鸦传媒檚 column appeared online.

乌鸦传媒淢embers of council and the public have shared their concerns with me regarding Coun. Cannan乌鸦传媒檚 viewpoints and we are disappointed that he has used his elected position as a city councillor in this way.乌鸦传媒�

Dyas also suggested the matter will be given 乌鸦传媒渄ue consideration乌鸦传媒� under council乌鸦传媒檚 new Code of Conduct, which Cannan points out he is well aware of and respects.

Cannan also notes that Kelowna Now includes a disclaimer in his column, and others, stating it reflects only the opinions of those who write them and are not necessarily those of Kelowna Now or its staff.

乌鸦传媒淭hat disclaimer has been in all of my columns published as a city councillor and I haven乌鸦传媒檛 heard any feedback as far as any concerns or confusion as to that being my personal opinion column.乌鸦传媒�

He adds he will be adding a sentence to future columns so that there will be no potential misunderstandings.

乌鸦传媒淭his article is my personal view and does not reflect the opinions of city council or the city.乌鸦传媒�

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