Council Connect
Hear directly from Mayor Tom Dyas, as he provides updates from elected council on issues that affect you. Each month the mayor will focus on a different priority area and overview the progress that is being made to address it as Council works to guide the growth, development and operation of the City.
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By Mayor Tom Dyas
As Chair of the Airport Advisory Committee, I have the privilege to see firsthand the role that Kelowna International Airport (YLW) plays in our community and beyond for the past 75 years.
YLW is not just an airport; it is a vital gateway that connects our region to diverse destinations and resources, fostering economic growth and enhancing the quality of life for our residents. By linking our region to national and global markets, YLW helps facilitate trade, goods movement, and tourism.
With over two million passengers passing through its gates annually, YLW has seen remarkable growth, becoming the tenth busiest airport and the largest municipally operated airport in Canada. A key driver of our local and regional economy, the airport to date has seen more than a three per cent increase in passenger traffic in 2024 compared to 2023. In August, at the height of summer tourism, passenger traffic rose by 22 per cent compared to August of 2023, bringing an additional 33,000 visitors to Kelowna in that month alone. With this pace, the airport is expected to set a new record of over 2.1 million passengers served in 2024.
This growth is expected to continue with increasing capacity on key routes, including Toronto alongside new year-round service to Seattle and Los Angeles. For winter 2024/2025, seat capacity to the U.S. has risen by 75 per cent with international seat capacity up 30 per cent. The increase in flights to the U.S. not only bolsters tourism but significantly enhances opportunities for our business community, offering streamlined access to key markets and business hubs across the United States.
As a self-funded airport with no impact on taxpayers, ongoing investments in facility improvements and expansion are focused on enhancing convenience, connectivity, and economic opportunities for the entire community. Construction is now underway to expand the terminal building, which will double the size of the departures lounge, incorporate a new pre-board screening location and add additional food and beverage options. Construction will start in 2025 on a five-star hotel and a seven-story parkade housing approximately 1,000 vehicles. These improvements not only enhance the travel experience for passengers but also ensure that YLW remains competitive in the aviation industry to attract the growing demand as the region continues to expand.
The Airport Campus Expansion plans also include developing land to the east to enable new commercial opportunities, which will attract businesses, create jobs and generate additional revenue streams that support the airport’s growth and benefit the local economy. In addition, we will soon see the Kelowna Airport YMCA Child Care Centre expansion begin, which is a step towards addressing the critical need for affordable, inclusive, and high-quality child care in the Kelowna area.
In October, I, along with members of the City’s senior leadership team, travelled to Ottawa to seek support for infrastructure funding for the east lands expansion, to discuss extending the airport lease beyond 2054, and to advocate for more job opportunities for YLW and the surrounding area. Such investments not only improve transportation and connectivity, but also allow YLW to further enhance and grow its aerospace campus, supporting air service, cargo, trade and the overall supply chain. This growth will create new jobs and strengthen Kelowna’s aerospace sector while contributing to the local and regional economy. I look forward to ongoing discussions with my provincial and federal counterparts to highlight the significance of this strategic investment for B.C. and Canada.
YLW is leading the way in environmental initiatives, having been Carbon Accredited since 2018 and is committed to achieving carbon neutrality by 2030. YLW is supporting campus partners to decarbonize their operation through such things as electric ground power, electric air conditioning units and renewable diesel. As YLW heads into winter operations, de-icing best practices are top of mind to ensure glycol, the chemical used in aircraft de-icing, is contained, recovered and recycled. Earlier this month, YLW was awarded the British Columbia Aviation Council Environmental Award for leadership in sustainability for its focus on developing strategies for waste reduction and reducing its greenhouse gas emissions while sharing lessons learned with the broader BC airport community.
YLW is actively working in a leadership role through the British Columbia Aviation Council on both the Airports Committee and the Sustainability Committee with the goal of reducing the carbon emissions in the airport system throughout British Columbia.
With far-reaching impact, Kelowna International Airport is a cornerstone of our region’s prosperity and a symbol of our city's bright future. I invite everyone to join me in celebrating the achievements of YLW and looking forward to the exciting opportunities that lie ahead as YLW continues to serve the community.
By Mayor Tom Dyas
Diving into election season, it’s become an increasingly busy time for everyone as we strive to recognize the responsibilities and jurisdictions of Municipal, Provincial and Federal governments. The next month will see debates, differing perspectives and promises, which will ultimately lead up to election day. Despite the election’s outcome, our community can take comfort in knowing that Kelowna’s advocacy priorities remain strong and unwavering. We’ve positioned ourselves as a leading municipality in BC; one that is open to collaboration and collective action that goes beyond party lines and focuses on what matters most to our residents.
Our advocacy priorities are a direct response to what we are hearing from our community and where we have focused our efforts when attending tours and meetings, like the recent UBCM Convention in Vancouver.
Public safety remains a top concern for our residents, and we know that Mandatory compassionate care for those suffering from severe mental health and addiction issues needs to be implemented in an effective and meaningful way. I need to be clear – allowing those with severe mental health and addiction issues to suffer on our streets is not compassionate, it is neglect. As a City, we continue to press for the expansion of a regional mandatory care model inspired by the Red Fish Healing Centre. This centre offers a compassionate mandatory care approach for those in crisis. The recent provincial announcements are promising, and we will continue to advocate for bringing this life-saving model to our community.
To add to this, the need for more Crown prosecutors has never been more urgent. As Kelowna continues to grow, so too does the need for resources to support our justice system. We are pushing for at least five more Crown prosecutors to keep pace with the increasing demands on our courts. The current judicial system is stretched too thin and is not deterring repeat offender, many of whom have extensive criminal histories. By adding more resources, we can ensure a tougher approach is followed that holds repeat offenders accountable. We are also advocating the Province to add their voice to our request to the Federal government to enact bail reform on repeat property offenders.
On the infrastructure front, we are committed to transforming how our city moves and grows. The Clement Extension Partnership multi-modal corridor is one of the most exciting projects on the horizon. This would create a seamless connection between downtown Kelowna, Highway 33, McCurdy, the University of British Columbia Okanagan (UBCO), and the Kelowna International Airport (YLW), in parallel to Highway 97. The project is set to significantly enhance our transportation infrastructure by alleviating congestion on highway 97, increasing capacity for upgraded transit lanes, and improving travel times for residents as well as the movement of goods and services across the region.
This critical piece of infrastructure is also interconnected with transit as it is a key step in advancing the construction of our new Transit Operations Centre. Our community and region have outgrown the current facility at Hardy Street, and it is over capacity. This challenge impacts our ability to respond to current and future ridership demand. We must ensure that planning and commitments made today will meet the needs of our community as we grow.
The expansion of Kelowna’s International Airport YLW is another key pillar of our economic development strategy. As the largest municipally-owned and operated airport in Canada, YLW and its aerospace campus has been a hub for innovation, job creation, and air service delivery to support industry, tourism, agriculture, trade and regional economic activity. We continue to seek opportunities for growth for our airport into the Eastlands to attract more partners that will continue to place Kelowna as a great place to invest in. In fact, as this article is being published, I am currently in Ottawa advocating for federal support to advance our Airport Campus Expansion.
The Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM), which represents 151 Municipalities and 38 Regional Districts, acts as a collective voice for challenges faced by all our communities. The annual convention is the main provincial forum for policy-making through resolution voting and debates. The busy week allows for collaborative discussions, sharing of best practices, gaining insights, and attending informative sessions. It offers a chance for in-person meetings and interactions with Ministers, enabling us to directly advocate for our community's needs. It also serves as a platform for recognition of excellence, and I am beyond proud of the City’s asset management team for being awarded as a provincial leader in strong asset management and accelerated infrastructure delivery.
A highlight of the week was joining a coalition of mayors calling on the federal government to take stronger action on the key issues of mental health, addiction, and public safety.
These topics were at the forefront of many discussions, especially during the panel on impacts to public safety that I had the honour of being invited to participate in. I brought to light the financial and social toll that addiction is taking on our communities and the strain it’s putting on our first responders. Whether it’s our bylaw officers, RCMP, or firefighters, the impact is felt across the board. I made it clear that we need more support from both the provincial and federal government to address these challenges head-on – and particularly the need for the right agency to respond to the crisis: we wouldn’t send a doctor to respond to a robbery, so why are we sending police and bylaw officers to respond to a health incident?
A lot of the real work happened in one-on-one meetings with Premier Eby and 5 key provincial ministers. In these conversations, we went beyond just bringing awareness to our priorities and we pushed for real commitments through collaborative discussions.
We are now in the middle of a Provincial Election, with election day scheduled for October 19th and advance voting starting as early as October 10th. I encourage everyone to research the platforms, ask questions, and get out and vote for the candidates who prioritize the issues that matter most to you and our community. Whether it’s public safety, mental health and addictions, infrastructure, or economic development, every vote counts and will help shape the next four years of Canada’s fastest growing region.
By Mayor Tom Dyas
As summer comes to a close and our routines begin to reset it becomes even more evident that the well-being of our community goes hand in hand with the quality of the infrastructure that supports our residents. Whether it's getting to work, getting the kids ready to go back to school, or simply enjoying the recreational spaces our city has to offer, reliable and efficient transportation is key to ensuring your day runs smoothly.
Kelowna is growing faster than many of us could have imagined. Our population is rising, new homes are being built, and goods and services are being transported through our networks at an increasing rate, and as a result, traffic volumes in our neighborhoods are increasing.
Council’s transportation priority encompasses many projects including Major Roads, Major Intersections, Active Transportation, Neighbourhood Streets, and Transit planning. In the past we’ve seen investment in other areas of this priority like active transportation infrastructure, traffic calming and enhanced transit partnerships.
The reality today is that the City has been on a “roadways diet”, while focusing on other forms of transportation, and it is now time to rethink the traditional approach to road infrastructure. We need to look at more innovative ways to accelerate these projects, while keeping costs down and establishing more interconnectivity to ensure that our growing roads network is running as efficient as possible.
As a council, we are committed to act now, invest in our future, and stay ahead of development as our city continues to grow. By rethinking our investment approach to roadway projects today, we can ensure that our costs remain low, while we accelerate them to construction and completion sooner than ever before.
Investing in Kelowna's Future
On August 26, 2024, Council reviewed the newly proposed 10-year capital plan, which saw our investments in infrastructure double from $373 million to $726 million, meaning we are well positioned to increase this type of infrastructure delivery in the coming years. To offset taxation and borrowing, we’ve managed to attract and secure more grant funding through targeted advocacy and partnerships with senior levels of government and external agencies. Increased development also results in increased revenue from Development Cost Charges (DCCs), funds that are directly reinvested into our infrastructure, which allow us to take on more projects than ever before.
With that said, when the City receives these funds and grants, we have an obligation to complete the associated projects, regardless of inflationary pressures that may occur. To put it simply, every day and year that goes by that we do not move forward on a project translates to more burden on tax payers to ensure it gets completed.
We are exploring innovative approaches to capital infrastructure delivery like road bundling, which involves bundling several smaller projects together in one large contract. This way we can attract larger contractors, deliver these projects faster and more efficiently, and reduce overhead costs overall.
Strategically, by investing now rather than in the future, we can avoid the inflationary costs that often accompany delays. This direction ensures that we are getting the best possible value out of every dollar we spend on infrastructure today.
Current and Upcoming Projects
Over the next few years, you will notice an increase in construction projects, all aimed at advancing our roads connectivity across Kelowna. Some of these key projects currently underway include:
- the Highway 33 / Clement Extension, which will extend Clement Ave from Spall Road to Hwy 33, Leathead and ultimately connect through to UBC over three phases, creating another connection to YLW and reduce traffic volumes on Highway 97.
- KLO Bridge Extension, which will see a new bridge and and roundabout installed , improving sightlines for drivers and increase active transportation options within the area.
- Major Intersection Improvements at busy locations like Springfield and Dilworth and enhancing our traffic signals and roundabouts program to implement more efficient traffic flow.
- Hwy 97 Beautification, which, starting now, will see over 100 planters placed along medians and boulevards across the Highway 97 artery.
- The Bertram Multi-Use Overpass, which will significantly enhance pedestrian safety and accessibility crossing Highway 97 and will help managed traffic congestion along this busy corridor by decreasing pedestrian crossing volumes at street level.
These projects are about more than just moving people and goods more efficiently. They are about fostering interconnectivity—linking neighborhoods, providing easier access to local businesses and services, enhancing safety and creating a transportation network that works for everyone.
Accelerating Our Investments
To keep up with Kelowna's rapid growth, we’ve introduced the Transportation Accelerator Program (TAP), a strategic initiative designed to speed up the delivery of key transportation projects and strengthen our transportation network. The TAP Program includes several transportation projects that have been identified for early design and delivery, ahead of their original timelines in our 10-Year Capital Plan.
Some of the accelerated projects you can expect to see in the near future include:
- Frost Road Extension: Extending Frost Road from Killdeer to Chute Lake and the construction of a roundabout.
- Burtch Road Extension: Extending Burtch Road from Byrns to KLO, including 1.2 kilometers of arterial road with an Active Transportation Corridor and intersection improvements.
- Hollywood Road Extension: Extending Hollywood Road from John Hindle to Sexsmith.
- Glenmore Road Improvements: Upgrades/widening of Glenmore Road between Union and Snowsell
Staying ahead to meet the Future
As we move forward, our focus will remain on identifying opportunities to accelerate investment in transportation through our 10-Year Capital Plan. Managing traffic in a rapidly growing community like ours is a complex challenge, but it is one that we are fully committed to addressing. By investing in all forms of transportation today, we are laying the foundation for a more connected, accessible, and sustainable Kelowna. Through these strategic actions we are ensuring that our city remains a great place to live, work, and play for generations to come.
By Mayor Tom Dyas
Our Council Priorities guide the City’s business planning and investment decisions, in the ongoing service delivery that our residents value.
We regularly monitor and report our progress on council priorities every six months and adjust the priorities as needed - a process that represents our continuous improvement and commitment to transparency and accountability as an organization.
The recently updated Council Priorities were adopted on July 22 and include a total of 30 action items and now, with the addition of a new priority, 7 priority areas. Let us review our achievements thus far and outline the future actions we will take to address the challenges and opportunities we face as a growing city.
Crime and Safety
Some notable updates to this priority area include advancing implementation of Mayor’s Task Force on Crime Reduction recommendations, increasing RCMP and Bylaw visibility to focus on high-risk traffic behaviour and crime, and a continued focus on reducing property crime. To address repeat offenders, we will be advocating for more crown prosecutors as well as the establishment of a future sobering centre. We have completed many actions in this area already, including the establishment of the URBA On Call team and the establishment of the Business Safety Toolkit. We’ve seen the RCMP respond directly to Task Force recommendations with the relaunch of the Speed Watch Program. Council also received a progress report in March 2024, where the RCMP reported a 44% drop in Break and Enters and, most recently, the latest Crime Severity Index data revealed that Kelowna is no longer leading the nation in Police reported crime statistics.
Housing
In 2023 Council advanced 4000 permits for new homes. Although this is a positive step forward, we recognize that many of these units may not be built for several years, and we need more action now. We will meet provincial/local affordable housing targets with support from the Province and to increasing number of rental units with below market rents. On top of this we will complete the Housing Action Plan, including incentive options, and want to partner with the private sector on the creation of more low-cost affordable housing pilot projects. We will work alongside the development community to explore more options to protect renters impacted by redevelopment projects and protect existing rental stock.
Homelessness
We’ve been able to further focus in on actions in this area and are committed to the completion of the delivery of 180 tiny homes via BC Housing as well as work to facilitate the creation of a new purpose-built shelter with warp around support and graduated housing options. Council will advocate for a regional care facility, additional Complex Care beds and explore what options we need to implement more care and delivery models such as a multi-care site in the Okanagan. We realize these are complex issues that fall outside the City’s realm of influence, meaning we will continue to advocate to the Province and other agencies for assistance in completing these actions.
Transportation
Our updated Transportation actions focus on improving mobility and movement throughout the City. This includes creating an additional connection to north Kelowna and YLW through the completion of the functional design of the Hwy 33 multi-modal traffic corridor, securing funding for a new transit operations centre, and improving both transit services and traffic flow on major road networks. To accomplish these actions, we will use approaches like road bundling to decrease costs, while expediting delivery, and increase advocacy with external agencies and senior levels of government, with the goal to create further interconnectivity and alleviating traffic congestion through simple solutions.
Agriculture
Protecting our agricultural land base continues to be a priority for Council and we commit to further protect agricultural lands through continued enforcement to ensure farmland is used for permitted uses. We celebrated a win earlier this year with the announcement of a new permanent home for the Kelowna Farmers and Crafters Market within the Landmark District. Beyond that, we realize the need to keep water usage and strategies top of mind to ensure our water supply is not only maintained but also secured for future generations. We’ve already started down this path with the transition of GEID to the City water Utility and are working to help the fruit producers and packers find solutions so Kelowna orchardists can get their fruit to market in the coming months.
Climate and Environment
We have committed to completing the City’s Climate Resilient Kelowna Strategy and continue to include ‘Climate Lens’ in all of our decision making. Focusing on the power of the natural environment, we will continue to further increase the urban tree canopy, especially along boulevards and medians. Realizing the impact civic facilities have on green house gas emissions, we commit to finding ways to reduce them, with the goal of net-zero solutions. Finally, we want to incentivize more green choices through the pilot energy concierge program to enable retrofits in buildings.
Economy
This new priority area is grounded in what we’ve heard from residents, businesses and the communities we serve. We know that a thriving and resilient economy underpins a good quality of life today and in the future, and we will seek more opportunities to enhance economic diversification and attract new employment and support existing business growth.
Council is committed to assessing the City’s supply of employment lands and want to further consider the City’s investment into economic development. This means investing in substantial infrastructure delivery to set the stage and ensure Kelowna is ready for a suite of exciting upcoming major events like the Canadian Country Music Awards, the 2025 Brier, and the possibility of developing our own CPL team and hosting the 2026 Memorial Cup.
These are exciting developments and staff have now been given direction to begin work on all action areas. As August rolls in, I wish everyone an enjoyable and relaxing end to the summer season.
By Mayor Tom Dyas
It's hard to understate the excitement that takes over Kelowna when the summer season finally hits. As a growing community, we not only welcome visitors from all over to experience the Okanagan, but our local residents also take full advantage of everything the city has to offer.
Our strong tourism market continues to grow as our region attracts more businesses that offer more activities to both residents and visitors alike. Last season, Tourism Kelowna reported close to a million overnight visitors between the months of June and August, translating to thousands of jobs, increased spending and over $2 billion in annual total economic output. Their 2024 projections have placed us in a similar spot for this coming season.
Whether you're an adventure seeker, a culture enthusiast, or looking for family fun, Kelowna truly has something for everyone.
Sports Events
There is still a palpable excitement in the air following the highly anticipated CPL match that was hosted at the Apple Bowl on June 16, 2024. By packing the venue with record breaking numbers, we showed the rest of Canada that we are ready to welcome more major events, and that our residents and visitors have an appetite for more.
This summer, I encourage you to keep this excitement going by attending upcoming events and games like the Midsummer 8k, the Kelowna Classic Water Polo Tournament, and the Professional Bullriders Challenge, Falcons Baseball games, the Apple Race Series, Okanagan Sun Football, and more!
Arts and Entertainment
Kelowna’s arts and entertainment scene truly comes alive in the summer season. The Rotary Centre for the Arts and the Kelowna Community Theatre each host an array of performances, including live music, theatre, concerts and dance.
Museum and culture enthusiasts can take in new art and constantly changing exhibitions at the Kelowna Art Gallery (KAG) and Okanagan Heritage Museum.
Music lovers should mark their calendars for Parks Alive!, You can also catch a live show at venues across the City like the Eldorado, Revelry, Red Bird Brewing, and Barn Owl Brewing, in anticipation of bigger events like Rock the Lake and Demin on the Diamond! I’ve only mentioned a few here, knowing the full list of fantastic venues and events is too long for this editorial’s word limit.
Wineries
We are a city that is renowned for its world-class wineries and summer is the perfect time to explore them all.
With over 40 wineries in Kelowna alone, the Central Okanagan is the focal point of one of the world's most exciting wine regions. Many of these wineries can be visited in a number of ways such as by bike, boat, and even through curated wine touring companies.
Family and Kid-Friendly Events
Summer is all about creating lasting memories with loved ones and families do not need to search far to find family friendly and orientated activities all season long. You can easily access family friendly events happening across the city through Kelowna’s community calendar.
From Sunset Yoga to Roller Nights, and Dancing in the Park to Knox Mountain Park Interactive Challenges, there is something for everyone to take part in. Throughout summer, the downtown core comes alive with free activities and events like Meet me On Bernard and Kelowna Made. For weekday fun, Park and Play, which animates parks throughout the city, starts up this month and runs until the end of August and Splash BC on the shores of City Park is always a family favourite.
Outdoor Activities
Kelowna is a 4-season playground for adventure seekers of every caliber, but the summer is when we really shine. You can explore all of the City’s beaches and parks, take a ride on Kelowna’s paddle trail and other routes via our Active By Nature network, and hit up the Kelowna Farmers and Crafters Market on Wednesdays and Saturdays at its new landmark location. Residents can take in everything the region has to offer by taking in some breathtaking views of the valley through countless local trail networks – like Knox Mountain and Mission Creek Greenway - and taking advantage of the Rail Trail , connecting downtown Kelowna to Coldstream, with lakes, parks, and sites along the way.
With 19 pristine courses in close proximity to one another, Kelowna is also a golf haven for enthusiasts who travel here from all over the world to experience the greens. Tourism Kelowna has a fantastic golf guide, allowing golfers at any skill level to discover more of what the valley can offer.
Nightlife
As the sun sets, Kelowna’s nightlife heats up. The city not only boasts a variety of bars, pubs, and nightclubs to suit all tastes, but there are also events running through the summer that keep the energy high throughout the community. The new Downtown Kelowna Night Market animates Kerry Park and the 200 block of Bernard Ave every Thursday night from 4pm to 9pm. Be sure to take advantage of the downtown bike valet program, which now runs Thursday to Monday from 9am to 8pm.
This summer, I encourage you all to take advantage of all that Kelowna has to offer. Whether you're a long-time resident or a first-time visitor, there’s no better time than now to explore and enjoy the incredible experiences that make Kelowna Summer’s best destination.
By Mayor Tom Dyas
Last month’s Canadian Premier League (CPL) announcement was truly a pivotal moment for the future of professional sports in Kelowna.
Our growing community currently has the opportunity of becoming a premier national sports destination in the Interior, and an important aspect of this vision is attracting top-tier talent, coaches, and events. By investing in sports infrastructure and promoting diverse athletic opportunities, we can set the stage for Kelowna to shine on both the national and international stage.
The upcoming CPL match on June 16, 2024, between Vancouver FC and Calvary FC at the Apple Bowl in Kelowna, will be a test of the city's potential to embrace soccer at a higher level. In the lead-up to the match, CPL players and coaches will visit local schools and participate in soccer-related events and activities, building excitement and community engagement around the sport.
Hosting a Premier League game is one thing, but to truly establish ourselves as a sports hub, we need to be able to offer more amenities by investing in building modern and purpose-built infrastructure. For instance, pickleball has seen tremendous growth in Kelowna, with over 600 members through Pickleball Kelowna and more than 200 on a waitlist. To accommodate this interest and attract tournaments and training opportunities, we realize the need to create destination courts. Similarly, soccer remains immensely popular, with over 7,000 players in the city, 5,000 of whom are under 18, spanning six local and four regional leagues. To support this growing enthusiasm, enhanced facilities and more fields are essential.
Baseball also plays a significant role in our sports landscape. Just last month, the Jays Care Foundation committed funding through the Field of Dreams program to enhancing the Edith Gay Ball Diamonds in Rutland. We are also in discussions to bring enhancements to Kings Stadium in the North End. These projects will provide upgrades to the facilities, improving the safety, accessibility, and overall user experience for our growing baseball community. Beyond these sports, our city boasts an active and growing participation in hockey, basketball, football, lacrosse, volleyball, curling and more. Each of these sports requires dedicated spaces and support to thrive.
We know the need is there, and as a City we are responding in full force.
The Building a Stronger Kelowna initiative, which includes the redevelopment of the Parkinson Recreation Centre, new Activity Centres for all-ages in Glenmore and Mission, enhancements at Rutland Recreation Park, and the advancement of facility partnerships, will represent the largest capital investment in our City’s history. This investment focuses on creating more opportunities for sport and wellness through both destination courts and fields, which serve as central hubs to host significant events and drive significant economic impact to many sectors, as well as satellite courts to support local neighbourhoods and build their own love for the sport.
Facilities and amenities like these play an important role in supporting healthy communities far beyond the physical benefits of recreation. By creating a positive and safe environment that promotes community, they serve as a key component addressing social issues and some of the root causes of crime. Recreation facilities are especially important for vulnerable populations in providing low-barrier access to facility services, and our youth. Engaging young people through sports, arts, and educational programs can divert them from negative influences and keep them occupied in productive and positive ways. Council collectively agrees that this is necessary infrastructure to ensure a vibrant, healthy and safe community for present and future generations.
This coming month, you can engage with City teams on the planning process for the enhancement of Rutland Recreation Park. Finalizing plans with community input helps to ensure that the future developments meet the needs and aspirations of our residents. There is also an active request for proposal process for the future management of Prospera Place, marking the beginning of another exciting phase of sports infrastructure development.
Our commitment to sports extends to hosting prominent events that draw national attention, such as the Brier 2025 as well as the intent for the Kelowna Rockets bid to host the 2026 Memorial Cup. These types of events will not only bring a significant boost to our local tourism economy but also build on Kelowna’s reputation as a top-tier sports destination that can only grow even further.
Kelowna’s future in sports is bright.
The upcoming CPL match on June 16, as well as more initiatives are just the beginning. There is more good news on the horizon, as we usher in more sporting events, present plans for future parks, and engage our residents on a deeper level to ensure all voices are heard to inform our sports and recreation decisions in Canada’s fastest growing City.
The City is ready to commit to this promise. Our financial health indicators continue to demonstrate stability for the City as it continues to be well positioned to not only meet current but also future financial obligations.
We are ready to invest today to build a stronger, more dynamic city where a culture of sport and wellness thrives and Kelowna’s reputation as a premier sport and recreation destination is solidified.
By Mayor Tom Dyas
In late March Council received a progress report on our Council Priorities and I am happy to share that we have completed or made significant progress on many of the 22 action item measures. In fact, Council convened a strategic planning session on April 27, 2024 to review and refine our priorities as we approach the mid-point of our term. Although this is commendable news, we know that there is still more that can and will be done.
As a city we need to come to terms with the fact that, for some of our priorities, we simply cannot tackle them alone. As a municipality we have limits on our jurisdiction and we do not have the mandate nor the level of authority to fully address many of the challenges cities face such as Homelessness, Transportation, Mental Health and Addiction, and Housing.
By working with our provincial and federal governments we can ensure that our community receives the support and resources it needs and deserves. In my role as Mayor, advocacy is not simply a duty; it is a crucial tool for municipal leaders to effect positive change and address the pressing issues facing our growing community.
In early April, I took those advocacy needs and asks to Victoria, and while at the Legislature I met with Ministers responsible in four critical areas, to advocate for increased support for: mental health and addiction, transportation and infrastructure, and affordable housing. Each of these issues and needs is intertwined with the well-being of our community and addressing them in a respectful, meaningful, and more impactful way requires proactive engagement and collaboration with senior levels of government. During my visit I was also able to connect with our local MLAs, Renee Merrifield, Norm Letnick and Ben Stewart, and thank them for always being open to connecting with us on all our visits to Victoria.
First and foremost, mental health and addiction are challenges that touch the lives of countless individuals and families in our city. During my visit to the legislature, I met with Minister Jennifer Whiteside, Minister of Mental Health and Addictions, where I emphasized our community’s urgent need for expanded services and resources to address these complex issues that surround homelessness. We discussed increased funding for treatment and prevention programs including Complex Care and I also brought forward the concerns with impacts faced by our community, first responders, businesses, and community safety due to the government’s drug decriminalization pilot. The Minister agreed that the importance of us working together, alongside our agency partners Interior Health and BC Housing, to ensure that those in our community who need the help, can access the supports they need to get well.
Moreover, there is no one-size-fits all solution to addressing the complex mental health and addictions challenges, but rather a well-rounded approach that encompasses not only treatment but also prevention, education, supportive housing, and community support services such as for career skills and planning to help people get back on their feet.
Transportation and infrastructure are essential components of a thriving and connected city. As Kelowna continues to grow, we must invest in sustainable, efficient, and multi-modal transportation systems that connect residents to jobs, education, and essential services. We need more investment to help build connection by providing safer routes to visit friends and family, access services, amenities, employment, and recreation opportunities, and explore new neighbourhoods. During my meeting with Minister Rob Fleming, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure, and Minister of State for Infrastructure and Transit, Dan Coulter, I spoke on the need for transportation infrastructure improvements to improve the connectivity and access from Kelowna International Airport, to UBCO to downtown – alleviating congestion on Highway 97 and the planning and advocacy work on the Highway 33/Clement Avenue extension project. I also encouraged more dialogue and awareness on how we can work together to expand public transit in the Kelowna Regional Transit System, particularly advocating for a new Transit Operations Centre and the desire to initiate and see the electrification of our bus fleet to align with climate and environmental goals. Our community and region has outgrown the current facility at Hardy Street and we must ensure that planning and commitments today will meet the future needs of our community as we grow. Our conversation also touched on the intent for the potential of future high-speed connectivity and transportation options along the Rail Trail.
Housing continues to be a leading issue and concern for many of our residents. We are witnessing more and more people and families in our city face difficulties finding housing that is accessible and affordable and that offers them a secure, safe, place to live. Minister Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing, has been an engaged and collaborative partner with Kelowna and we have achieved significant progress by securing provincial investments in affordable housing projects. These include support programs that address homelessness and housing instability, such as the work done with BC Housing through the Province’s HEART & HEARTH program to develop STEP Place and Trailside Transitional Housing, and the investment through the Community Housing Fund Kelowna received that will create 68 new homes for families, seniors and people with disabilities on Cross Road, and also through the BC Builds program to foster collaborative partnership to create attainable homes for middle-income residents. During our discussions in Victoria, we continued on the course of collaboration to see more homes built. And while we discussed the Minister’s plan to include Kelowna among the next group of Housing Supply Act target communities, the Minister recognized Kelowna’s leadership in housing development. I also brought up the impacts and residents’ feedback I have received from the recent Short Term Rental legislation especially given the importance of tourism to Kelowna.
Making strides on Complex Care
One notable success story in our advocacy journey is the recent commitment for a new purpose-built complex care and supportive housing facility dedicated to mental health and addiction treatment, which the Province announced here in Kelowna on April 15, 2024. Through collaboration with community partners, engaging in dialogue with the Ministers and our local MLAs, and persistent advocacy efforts, we were able to demonstrate the urgent need for such a facility and garner support from the provincial government. The new facility will include 20 newly constructed complex-care housing units and at least 20 supportive housing units - it will soon be going to design phase and engagement with the neighbourhood will commence. This project serves as a testament to the importance of developing relationships between levels of government, and the power of advocacy to drive meaningful change and improve the lives of our residents.
A consistent message resulting in reform.
There is also much advocacy work being done around drug use and decriminalization. The Province’s recent announcement was encouraging news. The City of Kelowna has been a leading advocate, and I have personally taken a strong position, to have parks, playgrounds, splash pads, business entrances, and public transit exempt as part of the Province’s illicit drug decriminalization pilot project. As the Province’s Drug Use Ban announcement continues to develop, we look forward to understanding the context in which it will benefit our community. I am happy to see that our efforts to push the Province for further empowering RCMP and giving them the tools and authority necessary to ensure public safety has paid off, as this has continuously been requested by our residents and businesses.
With this success in mind, we are still advocating on behalf of residents’ concerns when it comes to the recent legislative changes on Short Term Rentals. Council collectively continues to advocate to the provincial government to consider exemptions for short-term rentals in properties originally zoned for this specific purpose.
Advocacy is not just a responsibility.
It's an essential tool for municipal leaders to uphold their communities' interests. By working with all levels of government, as well as agency partners, and pushing for solutions to important issues including mental health and addiction, transportation and infrastructure, and housing, we can make positive change and build stronger, more resilient communities for the future. I would be remised if I did not thank and commend the City’s Inter-governmental relations team, who played an integral role in ensuring these connections were made, relationships built, and advocacy commitments kept.
As your Mayor, I promise to keep advocating, collaborating, and working to get results for a better future for everyone.
By Mayor Tom Dyas
The past few months have seen immense change affecting countless municipalities due to the new sweeping legislative changes happening at the provincial level. As council, we’ve witnessed and heard from residents that have become increasingly concerned about how the City will navigate these changes, all of which have significant impacts on our community. One specific concern, which centres on communicating with the City, is the prohibition of public hearings for rezonings if the development proposal is in alignment with the City’s Official Community Plan.
This is a valid and understandable concern. For Council, transparency and accountability are cornerstones for how we make decisions, and it is important that Kelowna’s residents are not only informed, but also have a multitude of channels to have their voices heard. It is necessary that every resident have access to information and have the opportunity, through a variety of channels, to share their opinions, ideas and feedback.
Although public hearings will no longer include routine rezoning applications, this form of engagement only represents a small fraction of the ways citizens engage with us and City staff. We welcome ideas, concerns, and feedback as it helps shape the decisions that impact our city's future.
Get all the information you need in real-time.
The City's website, Kelowna.ca, is a central hub of information, resources, news, events, and more. From accessing important documents like the Official Community Plan to learning about upcoming events and initiatives, the website is a constantly updated wealth of information for residents, businesses, and visitors to the area. In 2023 the site garnered over 8.7 million page views, a number that continues to grow year over year.
To enhance citizens’ experience on our website, we are harnessing the power of technology and AI to make it easier for you to find the information you need. Whether you have questions about city services, event schedules, or municipal regulations, our virtual assistants are available 24/7 to provide prompt and helpful responses in real time.
Let us know about an issue, ask a question, or report a concern.
The City has an online service request portal to make it easier for citizens to request city services when it’s most convenient for you. You can find it on the Kelowna.ca homepage right below the main image banner. This makes creating service request a convenient and quick solution and allows appropriate staff and teams to address the issue or concern directly. Whether it's reporting a pothole, requesting a recycling bin, requesting bylaw, or submitting a noise complaint, our dedicated city staff work diligently to address these requests promptly, ensuring that our city remains clean, safe, and well-maintained.
Give the City your feedback on current and upcoming projects and initiatives.
Engaged communities are strong communities. We know that all our decisions are improved through open and transparent processes, and through the input of citizens and stakeholders. The City’s current, upcoming, and past engagement opportunities can all be found online at getinvolved.kelowna.ca. This central website serves as a virtual town square where residents can participate in discussions, share ideas, and provide feedback on various city projects and initiatives. From community planning initiatives to transportation projects, your input matters, and we encourage you to join the conversation.
The Citizen Survey is another avenue for engagement that the City uses. It is a statistically valid survey conducted every two years and is a tool for Council to understand our citizen’s priorities and understand satisfaction levels with municipal programs and services. The insights gained by this research help us make important decisions regarding planning, budgeting and service improvements.
Stay up to date on news, events, and programs that the City is leading or involved with.
The City of Kelowna's social media channels provide real-time updates on city news, events, and initiatives. Whether you are on Facebook, X, Instagram, Youtube or LinkedIn, you can stay informed and engaged with our city's programs, initiatives and activities while connecting with fellow residents and City departments directly.
You can also receive City updates and news directly to your inbox via the City’s e-newsletters, which provide a quick and convenient way to stay informed about city news releases, events, development applications and opportunities for engagement. By subscribing, you'll never miss out on important updates from City Hall, ensuring that you're always in the loop about what's happening in our city. I encourage residents to join the City Views subscriber list for a monthly update on upcoming news and events.
Connect with Council.
There are also many avenues and channels available to residents to connect with Council directly. My colleagues on Council and I are here to serve as your elected representatives and advocates, and we value your input and encourage you to reach out to us. You can do so through a variety of ways:
- You can attend a Council meeting, whether that be in person or virtually via the live broadcast available at Kelowna.ca/council.
- Email Councillors individually through their direct email addresses.
- Email Mayorandcouncil@kelowna.ca with your concern, idea, or request. This email is accessible to all of Council and I can respond to questions directly as a representative of Council.
- Requesting to present to Council as a delegation by contacting Clerks at clerks@kelowna.ca.
- Reading this monthly Column, Council Connect, which offers an inside look into Council decisions and more.
- We have also been invited to be present at future Neighbourhood Association meetings, where I have invited all of Council to attend. This will be a new setting where residents can have face time with Councillors, meet them in person, express their concerns, and offer their ideas.
As elected officials, we are here to listen to your needs and concerns. We know that technologies will continue to evolve and change, and that new channels will arise. Our promise is to continue to adapt to ensure transparency and accountability through all the work we do.
By Mayor Tom Dyas
As we enter the spring season, many of us are looking forward to warmer weather, blooming flowers and outdoor activities. However, it is also a time when we start thinking about our snowpack, lake levels and the annual freshet season which typically occurs from April to July. With severe drought in the valley last year, followed by a relatively dry winter, as of February 1, 2024 snowpack in the Okanagan Snow Basin was 86 per cent of normal.
We have experienced similar snowpack levels in the valley in recent years including 2017 and 2021 and continually monitor the impact on our lake levels and water supply. While it is true that snowpack plays a significant role, the amount of precipitation during the months of March and April can also be a major factor. But whether spring roars in like a lion, or more gently like a lamb, we have made big advancements in hydrological modelling, real-time weather data, and remote sensing technologies to better predict, monitor and, together, take the necessary steps to mitigate any potential impacts of both floods and droughts in the Okanagan Valley.
Many of the valley’s municipalities, including City of Kelowna, source their drinking water supply from Okanagan Lake. Lake levels are managed by the Province of British Columbia by controlling releases from Okanagan Lake Dam in Penticton, which is part of the Okanagan Lake Regulation System. The Province has reduced lake outflows to keep lake levels close to normal at 341.60 meters as of the end of February.
In managing the lake levels, the province’s considerations include flood control, water supply, fisheries, aquatic, riparian and environmental values, recreation and tourism. Doing its part, the City is responsible for managing any consequences of reduced lake levels and drought through water conservation measures, as well as effective management of McCulloch Lake, the one lake that we have some control of.
Lake levels can vary seasonally by about 1.2 metres. The City water utility’s two largest drinking water sources, located near Poplar Point and Cedar Creek Park, each have very deep intakes and pumping systems that are not operationally impacted by these seasonal fluctuations. During a major drought, however, other factors can play a role in how much water the province allows us to use.
On the non-potable water front, as of February 27, the McCulloch Lake reservoir system that supplies our irrigation and agriculture system is at half capacity. As mentioned, spring precipitation typically contributes significantly to water levels. We remain hopeful that the reservoir will reach full pool, with enough water to supply normal agricultural and environmental needs for this year. However, regardless, we are used to an arid environment and need to be ready to manage all levels of drought conditions accordingly.
While it is too early to tell what spring runoff and precipitation will bring, and whether there will be a need to introduce any measures beyond our normal summer watering restrictions, it is always a good time to be thinking about water conservation. Water is a precious and finite resource that we all depend on. If we use more than nature can replenish through rain and snow, we will run a deficit.
The Okanagan continues to have one of the highest rates of water use per person in Canada, and landscape irrigation accounts for 55 per cent of this. This means that, during the summer, we’re using around 72 million litres of water on average just for our lawns and gardens.
One of the biggest ways we can protect our water supply is by making positive water choices in both indoor and outdoor settings. You can make a difference by:
- Checking your faucets, pipes and toilets for leaks and fixing them as soon as possible.
- Installing low-flow showerheads, faucets and toilets, or use aerators and displacement devices.
- Taking shorter showers and turn off the faucet when brushing your teeth or shaving.
- Washing only full loads of dishes and laundry and use the shortest cycle possible.
- Adjusting your automated sprinkler controller when necessary.
- Following the year-round assigned day watering, watering your lawn and garden only when needed, and avoiding watering during the heat of the day or when it is windy.
- Chose climate appropriate plant material and consider xeriscape landscaping.
- Using a rain barrel to collect rainwater for watering your plants.
- Using a broom instead of a hose to clean your driveway, sidewalk or patio.
By working together, we can respond to drought conditions that are stubbornly continuing into 2024 and ensure that we have enough water for our current and future needs, while also preserving the natural beauty and ecological diversity of our region.
For more WaterSmart tips, kelowna.ca/watersmart
By Mayor Tom Dyas
Happy New Year, Kelowna! As we usher in 2024, I would like to reflect on my exciting first year as your mayor and the journey we have undertaken together. While the path toward progress is ongoing and the work is continual, I am filled with optimism and enthusiasm for the new year and future of our beautiful city.
We have taken some significant steps forward as a community. And thanks to the contributions, support, and hard work of my council colleagues, residents, staff, community partners, other levels of government, and the local business community, we can collectively take pride in our accomplishments which have laid the foundation for a bright year ahead.
As we wrap up the year, I want to share with you some 2023 projects that especially stand out to me that I believe will have some of the most significant impacts for our community.
The introduction of the one per cent community safety levy, which has been instrumental in our ability to fund 31 new RCMP and 11 bylaw officers and other safety related positions for 2023 and 2024; I also want to thank Kelowna RCMP for their incredible work over the past year. Their latest report (January 1 to August 31) noted a 43.9 per cent decline in business break and enter, 40.8 per cent decrease in auto theft, 38.7 per cent decrease in bike theft, 30.6 per cent reduction in theft from a motor vehicle, and 10.7 per cent decrease in residential break and enter.
An agreement, under the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF), will provide $31.5 million in federal funding to eliminate barriers to building the housing we need faster. The memorandum of understanding with the Province of B.C. formalizes our commitment to work together to better support people who are unhoused. Work is underway to open 120 new units on both Crowley Ave and Highway 97. In addition, the City is in the process of identifying a possible future third site that could accommodate another potential 60 units.
Council is pleased the City will take a more active role working with local social-serving sector organizations and other partners to address current and emerging complex social issues in 2024. The Social Development team, approved by Council in the 2024 budget, will increase the focus on long-term upstream prevention of the flow into homelessness, and will support initiatives that address broader housing needs, advance social wellness advocacy, and expand partnership opportunities.
Establishing the 13-member Mayor’s Task Force on Crime Reduction was also very important to me. As chair, I’d like to thank the community stakeholders who have committed their time and expertise to help develop community-driven initiatives to reduce crime in Kelowna.
I’m also happy to see the many important infrastructure and community projects advanced in 2023, including the YLW terminal expansion; waterfront park in the Pandosy town centre as well as the Strathcona, DeHart, Truswell land acquisition, Ballou and Glenmore parks projects; indoor recreation facility strategy; North End Plan; and bike valet program.
With funding approval in place, 2023 also brought the commencement of the Building a Stronger Kelowna legacy project that will see the construction of two new activity centres for all-ages in Mission and Glenmore, enhanced sports fields in Rutland, the redevelopment of Parkinson Recreation Centre, and further development of community partnership opportunities with key partners such as Okanagan College and UBCO.
A major highlight of the year for me were the results of our advocacy work. The City has been a leading advocate, in collaboration with other B.C. Municipalities, responding to the Province’s illicit drug decriminalization pilot project. Local governments are requesting that playgrounds, spray and wading pools, and skate parks be added to the province’s list of areas where possession of illicit drugs is banned (including within six metres of all building entrances and bus stops and within all parks, beaches and sports fields). With the legislation related to exemptions are now on hold due to a B.C. Supreme Court ruling last week, we will continue our advocacy efforts.
The City also continues to advocate to Interior Health to deliver more and better access to substance use treatments, supports and complex care housing in conjunction with decriminalization, and appropriate levels of consequence for repeat property and violent offenders. Kelowna has been a leading voice for bail reforms to address repeat offending including through our Community Confidence in Justice Advocacy Paper.
Our grant and advocacy work also resulted in significant investment in 2023 from senior levels of government, including over $26 million, through the BC Growing Communities Fund, for infrastructure to support our fast-growing community; $28.5 million in funding to support the addition of 359 much needed childcare spaces in our community; and investments and recognition for ecological restoration and fuel management in the face of this summer’s unprecedented Grouse Complex wildfire.
In addition to funding for the Island Stage rejuvenation, Kelowna also received significant funding to improve, grow and start electrifying regional transit service through upgrades to the current transit facility, transit exchanges and prep for a new transit operations centre. The total project costs are $29.3 million, with senior levels of government contributing the majority of the funding to BC Transit through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP) to advance the work.
Other 2023 highlights include helping to facilitate a permanent home for the Kelowna Famers’ and Crafters’ Market; completing Kelowna’s housing needs assessment; advancing 2200 new rental and for-purchase housing units in the community; and record-breaking building permit construction value, which was up approximately 46 per cent from $1.2 billion in 2022 to $1.76 billion in 2023. We also welcomed some exciting events including the Pan Continental Curling Championships, the BreakOut West music festival, and were named host of Curling Canada’s 2025 Brier.
While there is much to celebrate from last year, we also recognize have a lot of work to do. Holding us accountable for the strategic shifts, improvements and changes you want to see is an important part of local government and why we have introduced things like a lobbyist registry and code of conduct for Council; six-month Council priority progress reporting; and a financial health dashboard to show how the city is performing financially year-to-year and how prepared it is to meet future obligations.
Transparency and listening to residents on matters that are important to them, such as Kelowna Springs Golf and Country Club, the creation of the Community Task Force for Performing Arts, and the implementation of value-added audits are an essential part of the democratic process. Your engagement, feedback, and enthusiasm through channels, such as getinvolved.kelowna.ca and Council correspondence, help Council make the decisions that support a high quality of life. I encourage you to visit kelowna.ca/council to view the latest public progress report, including details on the 80 Council priority actions undertaken in the last year.
As we reflect on the past year, as our strength and resiliency has been tested, it is crucial to recognize that this progress would not have been possible without the active participation and support of our residents.
On the cusp of a new year, I am excited to see what we can achieve together in the next 12 months. I invite you to join me and all of council in making our city the best it can be. Together, we can make our city a place where everyone thrives and belongs.
By Mayor Tom Dyas
As the holiday season approaches, I am filled with immense gratitude for the community we call home. While I’ve always known how fortunate I am to live in Kelowna, this past year as mayor has further opened my eyes to the many aspects, in particular the people, community organizations and businesses, that make this community truly extraordinary.
As we come upon the close of 2023, what stands out to me most is the collective spirit, contributions and commitment from residents, staff and our many partners as we’ve worked together to address our community priorities and explore opportunities to achieve our shared vision of a welcoming, prosperous, and sustainable future for our community.
As you gather with your friends and family over the holiday season, I invite you to celebrate all the things that Kelowna has to offer. Whether you are looking for outdoor adventures, cultural experiences, entertainment or just the quiet beauty of our surroundings, I encourage you to get out in the community and enjoy the season.
While it has many special qualities, one of the great aspects of our city is the diverse collection of local businesses that add character and vitality to our streets. Last month I had the privilege of attending the Kelowna Chamber Business Excellence Awards to celebrate the outstanding efforts of the people and organizations that are leading the way in our local business community.
The Central Okanagan is home to nearly 10,000 small businesses with over 70 percent of these small businesses having less than five employees. These small businesses are the drivers of innovation, entrepreneurship, and economic growth in our city and I’m grateful for all that they bring to our community. This holiday season, let us make a conscious effort to shop local and support the many businesses that contribute to the overall vibrancy of our community.
There is no shortage of local activities and events happening throughout December and into the holidays, so I also encourage you to make some extra time for fun as we wind down the year. Take in a hockey game or a live performance at one of our theatres. Engage in free activities such as taking the family out for a hike or snowshoe in nature or a skate at Stuart Park. Visit kelowna.ca to explore other free activities like the family holiday skate at Rutland Arena on December 17 from 1 p.m. to 3 p.m., and the Valley First New York New Years event on December 31 in Stuart Park from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. You can also check out the event page at tourismkelowna.com and be a tourist in your own town, or simply take some time to visit one of our many parks or beaches to appreciate the yearlong beauty of our natural environment.
It’s important to recognize that for some the holidays can be a challenging time. Let's also take a moment to extend a helping hand to those in need of our support. Whether it's volunteering at a local charity, donating a gift for a child, or checking in on a neighbour, every act of kindness, no matter how small, contributes to the well-being of our community.
Whether you celebrate Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or any other tradition, I hope that above all you experience in some way the warmth that defines the holidays, and the values that unite us as a community, such as kindness, generosity, and gratitude.
As we get ready to usher in a New Year, I want to thank you all for making Kelowna a great place to live. It is an honour and a privilege to serve as your mayor, and to work with you to make our city better every day. I am proud of what we have accomplished together over the past year, and I am optimistic about what we can achieve in the future.
Happy holidays, Kelowna.
By Mayor Tom Dyas
I want to take a moment to reflect on the summer we experienced and the incredible teamwork and dedication we saw throughout our region during the wildfires.
The collaboration between municipal fire departments, BC Wildfire Service, local governments and thousands of volunteers was inspiring and I am very thankful for everyone’s service to our region.
It is going to take a similar spirit of prolonged teamwork and collaboration to combat the root cause of the wildfires and floods our region has experienced over the past several years.
Local and regional governments influence approximately 50 per cent of the nation’s overall greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, so we are intent on trying to influence our community’s shift toward a low-carbon lifestyle and respond effectively to climate impacts.
The City of Kelowna’s actions have always focused on doing what we can to mitigate factors contributing to climate change along with making adaptations to limit the effects of climate change.
As the City’s current five-year Community Climate Action Plan reaches the end of its life, staff are in the process of developing the next phase of a Climate Resilient Kelowna Strategy that will map out plans to reduce our carbon footprint and continue the process of rebuilding our city in a more sustainable way. That strategy is expected to be completed early in 2024.
We know that we must continue to provide options to help Kelowna residents reduce GHG emissions.
Along with promoting healthy lifestyles, the City has invested heavily in Active Transportation Corridors and encouraged other modes of travelling around our city in ways that reduce GHG emissions – walking, cycling, scooters, electric bikes, transit and supporting the use of ride sharing opportunities.
At the annual Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM) convention in Vancouver, I met with Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Rob Fleming to discuss progress on a new transit operation centre, which we need to expand and improve local transit service. The City of Kelowna will benefit from $9 million in senior government funding that will see upgrades at our current transit facility for service expansion and initial electric battery procurement for buses. In addition, funding will help advance the design of the new transit operations centre that will allow expanded transit service and the electrification of the entire fleet over time.
Decarbonizing new and existing buildings has also been a major component in meeting the City’s GHG emissions reduction targets. The 50-year-old Parkinson Recreation Centre, for example, is one of the largest emitters of GHG among all City of Kelowna properties, and we expect the new facility to be a net-zero carbon building. We are also developing an energy concierge pilot program to support homeowners through what can be a complicated home energy retrofit journey.
In 2018, YLW became carbon accredited through Airports Council International (ACI) and its Carbon Accreditation program. As part of the ongoing program, in June 2022, YLW received Level 2 Carbon Accreditation from ACI, gaining recognition of our efforts to measure and reduce our GHG emissions. We are currently working on a plan to further reduce energy consumption and to meet our commitment to achieve carbon neutrality by 2030.
The City has a Strategic Energy Management Plan that is targeting a GHG emissions reduction of 40 per cent below 2007 levels by 2030 for all corporate facilities and will implement equipment upgrades accordingly.
Current actions to reduce GHG emissions include:
- Focusing growth in the five urban centres and along major transit corridors with a goal of putting more people and more jobs within easy walking distance of reliable, direct transit service.
- Developing an energy concierge pilot program to support homeowners with energy retrofits.
- Top-up rebates for heat pump space heating, heat pump water heaters, electrical service upgrades, and EV (Electric Vehicle) chargers in multi-unit residential buildings.
- Amendments to the zoning bylaw to include EV ready requirements for new residential developments.
- A new Climate Action and Environmental Stewardship Department to apply a climate lens to policy development and decisions.
- 22 EV chargers on City properties with plans to install more.
- Completed a deconstruction pilot project on city-owned homes to assess waste reduction options and reduce lifecycle GHG emissions.
- Continued the Neighbourwoods Program to encourage citizens to help grow and preserve Kelowna’s urban forestEnvironmental protection and climate change adaptation are also essential for the City of Kelowna as we take measures to protect our beautiful landscape.
Environmental protection and climate change adaptation are also essential for the City of Kelowna as we take measures to protect our beautiful landscape.
The City of Kelowna was recently awarded the Climate & Energy Action Award at UBCM for our FireSmart Community Chipping Program, which has collected well over 100 metric tonnes of vegetation to reduce wildfire risk.
Other environmental protection and climate adaptation initiatives that have been in place include:
- Continued work on Mill Creek Flood Protection Project (year four of an eight-year project) to improve flood passage and public safety on Mill Creek.
- Initiated development of a Water Security Plan.
- Amended the Development Application Procedures Bylaw to require pre-development tree inventory to identify trees that may require root zone protection and help ensure trees proposed for the development are retained and protected.
- Finalizing a Sustainable Urban Forestry Strategy to expand Kelowna’s urban tree canopy (this year more than 1000 trees were planted).
- Continued implementation of the Community Wildfire Resilience Plan.
Along with Council’s other priorities of acting on crime and safety, affordable housing, homelessness, transportation, and agriculture, we have a lot of important work to do. An Oct. 16 report to Council at the six-month point since priorities were developed provided encouraging evidence that we are making progress on all priorities.
Ultimately, for Kelowna to become resilient to climate change, it will require collaboration with all levels of government, businesses and organizations, and the broader community. At the time of writing this article, conversations are happening between the federal and provincial government regarding the federal carbon tax. It will be interesting to see how the policy evolves in the coming weeks, months and years. Nonetheless, as a local government, we are uniquely positioned to influence this shift and how our community will grow, how we commute, interact and protect natural assets to maintain the quality of life we cherish in Kelowna.
We will all breathe easier if we work together to protect our environment and lessen the impacts on our warming climate. This is something the City has done in the past and I can assure you that Council will continue to use a climate lens when reviewing City policies, infrastructure, and programs.
By Mayor Tom Dyas
Kelowna continues to attract new residents from across the country and around the world. Encouraging the development of more housing to accommodate everyone who wants to call Kelowna home is a challenge Council has embraced and has propelled Kelowna into a leadership role among municipalities in Canada.
Meanwhile, the number of people experiencing homelessness in our city has more than doubled in the past year.
City Council is focused on finding solutions to both these challenges and we work every day to encourage actions that move us forward and make Kelowna a model for other communities to emulate.
Statistics Canada data found the Kelowna Census Metropolitan Area’s population grew by 14 per cent from 2016 to 2021 – the fastest rate of growth in Canada – and indications are that pace will continue. Our city’s population is projected to increase by 40,000 in the next 17 or 18 years.
Our well-diversified local economy, an international airport, large university and college campuses, our beautiful natural environment, Okanagan Lake, the spectacular parks, beaches and recreation facilities we’ve developed, ski resorts, golf courses and more than 200 wineries in the region all combine to explain why so many people want to live here.
With Kelowna’s pace of population growth, the City’s challenge is to accommodate new residents with diverse housing options, while maintaining attainable housing for families who already live here, for our senior citizens, and those with low- to moderate incomes.
According to data published by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, Kelowna recorded 1,853 housing starts as of July, almost 85 per cent of which were townhouses or condominiums.
That housing construction pace puts Kelowna ahead of the entire province of New Brunswick (1,685) and is behind only Canada’s largest cities.
The City has topped the $1 billion mark for the third consecutive year in terms of the value of construction projects underway in 2023.
Market housing is strong. But when we talk about housing at the municipal level, we most often focus on what the City can do to encourage more affordable housing, more purpose-built rentals, more supportive housing, managing short-term rentals, advocating to the Province for more complex care housing, and more shelter space and other forms of housing outside the regular real estate market.
Since Council was sworn in 11 months ago, we have prioritized the development of a variety of housing types, including affordable housing and finding solutions for the critical need to better support our homeless population. We are doing this in a number of ways:
- Allocating $1.5 million of surplus to City’s Housing Opportunities Reserve Fund to purchase lands to meet the most urgent housing needs of our community
- Providing City-owned land to build affordable housing, as we did with the 75 homes at Pleasantvale 2, with housing for seniors, low-income families and people with disabilities, along with the 68 new homes at Hadgraf-Wilson Place on City-owned land on Bertram Avenue.
- These housing developments support another Council objective to increase number of rental units with below-market rents.
- We continue to advocate for additional Complex Care Centre, including a model similar to the Red Fish Healing Centre.
- Staff continue to work with partners to identify a site that is suitably located and zoned for Kelowna’s first purpose-built shelter.
- I have met numerous times with Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon, most recently at the Union of BC Municipalities convention, to advocate for increased BC Housing investments and supports for shelter, supportive and affordable housing spaces in our community.
- Work progresses on solutions to provide transitional housing, with details of this year’s approach to be shared with residents shortly.
- Applying for funding through the federal Housing Accelerator Fund to accelerate housing in Kelowna through adjusting regulations, investing in land and infrastructure, and updating systems.
Last Thursday, B.C. Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon, joined me in Kelowna to announce a partnership that will see the addition of 120 units of transitional emergency shelter over multiple sites in the coming months. This marks a significant step forward in our collective commitment to tackling homelessness. The City will provide land and the Province will provide capital and operating investments and supports for this and other solutions into the future.
Kelowna will be the first location in the Interior to use a tiny-home solution, which features small single-room units that are quick and easy to install. The first 60 units will be a Pallet village, which is just one example of the City’s ongoing efforts to explore all options for people experiencing homelessness. I traveled to Everett, Wash., with staff earlier this year to visit the Pallet warehouse and village. We saw first-hand how these transitional, modular, single- and double-occupancy housing units are constructed and operated for people who would otherwise have no roof over their heads. Each shelter can be assembled in under an hour.
I can assure you we are all working hard to get these units ready to welcome people as soon as possible. Continuing on the path of partnership, BC Housing and the City will be providing more detailed information in the coming weeks as plans are finalized.
I also thank the Province for providing Homeless Encampment Action Response Teams (HEART) support for our community. HEART is a new multi-disciplinary regional program designed to rapidly respond to encampments and better support people sheltering outdoors to move inside.
Getting back to affordable housing side of things, our latest Housing Needs Assessment found that affordability challenges, smaller household sizes and shifting preferences have led to increased demand for smaller units in multiple-dwelling buildings. There is a need for a significant increase in the delivery of subsidized rental housing, which will require unprecedented collaboration and partnership. Staff is currently working on a Housing Strategy to ensure Kelowna has the breadth of housing required to meet the varied needs of our citizens.
That is a big reason why we are moving into the next phase of our infill housing for urban centres. Efficiently using City infrastructure by adding new housing to central neighbourhoods is vital to the long-term health of our community.
The City is working to ensure that infill housing is high-quality and designed to complement surrounding neighbourhoods. This form of housing is more financially attainable, and it is far more financially and environmentally sustainable compared to suburban development.
The City of Kelowna has demonstrated we can approve housing quickly enough to meet demand, but it is the pace of housing construction that needs to increase.
Based on permitting trends and our engagement with the development community, we know the sector is experiencing challenges in terms of sourcing labour, along with supply chain issues, rising costs and interest rates.
Finally, I want to say that the City of Kelowna is having a very close look at short-term rentals. After a preliminary report to Council this summer, Council has directed staff to return to Council with an approach that is more restrictive moving forward. Short-term rentals have had a negative impact on our long-term house stock and in part has contributed to the raising costs of both home ownership and rentals.
Housing and shelter needs are not unique to Kelowna. We certainly feel the pressure more because of our rapid population growth, but I know from speaking to mayors all across our province that this housing crunch is a provincial and national crisis.
I want to assure you that the City of Kelowna is exploring every opportunity to alleviate the housing pressures our community is experiencing, and I hope this information contributes to the conversation about how we can move forward together.
We understand that more people are going to move to Kelowna for the same reasons many of us live here – for the quality of life we enjoy. Council is committed to balancing growth and the related future infrastructure needs to ensure we are a healthy community with quality-of-life investments in parks, recreation, transportation and opportunities to enhance our housing stock.
By Mayor Tom Dyas
On Aug. 15, twenty years — almost to the day — after the start of the 2003 Okanagan Mountain Park fire, flames from the McDougall Creek wildfire ignited our city’s skyline and quickly reminded us of the power of both wildfire and our regional emergency program.
More than 500 firefighters and 100 RCMP officers from more than 50 cities and towns joined forces with the Kelowna Fire Department, West Kelowna Fire Rescue, Lake Country Fire Department, North Westside Fire Rescue, Wilson's Landing Fire Department, BC Wildfire Service, Kelowna RCMP and Bylaw Services to execute an unprecedented, coordinated response.
While there will always be lessons to be learned in any emergency response, I am truly humbled by what was, and still is being, accomplished by the incredible work of our first responders and emergency operations centre. While a strong emergency response program is key, in the wake of a crisis that threatened lives and destroyed people’s homes, we all want to know what we can do to minimize the risk of wildfire in our community in the future.
First and foremost, we must recognize that the intensity and sheer number of wildfires we’ve seen across Canada and beyond are what many are now calling a climate change wake-up call, and one of the many reasons why climate/environment is one of six Council priorities. From the way we travel, to the electricity we use, and the food we eat, we all have a role to play in helping to limit climate change. Because, as temperatures rise, so too will the size, frequency and severity of wildfires.
Wildfire risk reduction is also top of mind in the community. Fuel mitigation treatments reduce the amount of available fire fuels in our natural areas, which plays a significant role in our ability to manage wildfire as safely and as quickly as possible. Over the past five years, the City has actioned over 100 hectares of fuel mitigation treatments on city-owned land, including reducing the amount of woody debris on the forest floor, thinning trees where necessary, and removing the lower limbs of trees to help keep fire from climbing into the canopy.
The success of fuel mitigation, including work done in Wilden during this fire and earlier in the season on Knox Mountain, speaks to the importance of proactive treatment and the need to look at all the different ways it can be accomplished—including securing ongoing, long-term funding and the way we explore new solutions, such as prescribed burns or the use of animals for grazing in key areas.
Residents can also make a critical difference by visiting kelowna.ca/firesmart to learn how to FireSmart their homes and take advantage of the City’s free community chipping program. Frontline fire fighters 2 said the homes and areas that were FireSmart made an integral difference in their ability to fight the recent fire safely and save properties.
New subdivisions in Kelowna are subject to review against Wildfire Hazard Development Permit guidelines which are reviewed by professional foresters. Developers are required to perform fuel modification and new single family lots created in fire hazard areas have maintenance obligations registered on their land title related to building construction and property maintenance in accordance with Fire Smart guidelines.
The Provincial Community Resiliency Investment (CRI) Program and 2022–2026 Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan, which contains over 40 recommendations from standardizing fuel management to how we build our communities, have been integral to completing wildfire prevention activities that have and will continue to reduce risk for our community especially as we face extreme fire and weather conditions.
The CRI program is a provincial funding program administered through the Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) to provide funds for communities to plan and implement actions to reduce wildfire risk. Through the program over the last five years, we have been awarded $730,000, which has supported a variety of important FireSmart and mitigation initiatives throughout the community.
This year we were also successful in receiving a federal grant of $132,000 for ecological restoration and fuel management. As we return to normal, post wildfire, the City will be assessing impact to City property, as well as whether any intervention required to support a healthy regeneration of the area. In addition, the regional emergency program will be looking at lessons learned to apply to future events in our region. I am pleased to see conversations occurring at both the federal and provincial levels regarding resiliency and response and welcome Premier Eby’s emergency response task force announced just last week.
We will also reflect on the depth of our city’s spirit and unity through this event. It got us through a crisis and will undoubtedly be the key to achieving our collective community goals and vision for an inclusive, welcoming, prosperous and sustainable future.
By Mayor Tom Dyas
Following through on my pledge to provide transparent, clear communication to Kelowna’s residents, this is my first article in a monthly column dedicated to providing you with background and insights into Council decisions and City business.
One Council priority that receives a lot of attention and demands a lot of staff and Council effort is community safety. While I see firsthand the efforts being made throughout the community to address one of our city’s most pressing issues, the most recent Crime Severity Index illustrates there is still much work to be done.
I cannot imagine where we would be without the incredible dedication and support we receive from community partners and organizations, businesses and citizens who work every day to keep our community safe.
I want you to know that I see and hear the frustration and anger when it comes to safety. I read the letters you send to Council, I see your comments on social media, and I hear you when you tell me in person that you are concerned. I want you to know that as your mayor and neighbour, I wholeheartedly share these concerns. That is why I recently appointed 13 community members to a Mayor’s Task Force on Crime Reduction, which I personally chair. The inaugural meeting was held mid-July and I can tell you that each of the task force members has a sincere interest in making a difference in our City and they are laser-focused on immediate actions to improve our sense of safety and quality of life in Kelowna.
In addition to the new task force, Council has directed a number of initiatives to make an impact on the issues under local control. We are working closely with the RCMP and other partners on meaningful short-term and long-term actions that reduce crime. In the City’s 2023 Financial Plan, spending on Community Safety represents 43 per cent of our overall $176.6 million total taxation demand – the largest investment we make among all departments. For 2023, Council has approved an ongoing one-per-cent community levy that will hire 13 new community safety staff, including six RCMP officers and four Bylaw Services staff.
Addressing this complex issue—including the root causes of crime—will take time. I know people are tired of waiting, but we are finally seeing some results. Kelowna’s year-to-date statistics from the RCMP show a promising drop in non-violent, property crime:
Break and Enter (down 39%)
Theft from Motor Vehicle (down 34%)
Theft Other (down 18%)
While progress is being made, I know that a lot of work remains to be done to address local crime and safety concerns. That is why it is important to implement new creative ideas to mitigate crime. For example, bike theft is a significant contributor to Kelowna’s high crime rate. That’s why we implemented the City’s new Bike Valet pilot program, and the recent introduction of the Community Safety and Business Safety toolkits, providing meaningful, effective, and practical solutions to help address community safety and reduce crime in our city.
The challenges we face are not unique to Kelowna and, sadly, we are seeing an increase in homelessness, open drug use, mental health issues and social disorder throughout our community.
Since being elected last November, I have met with Mayors across British Columbia and Canada, and I can tell you every community is facing the same challenges. There are many contributing factors, and we all want to find solutions.
As the level of government most accessible to residents, Council understands and appreciates hearing from residents about local concerns so that we can advocate for solutions from other levels of government with the jurisdiction, resources and responsibility for these issues. You can help our advocacy efforts by directly sharing your experiences with your federal Member of Parliament, provincial Member of the Legislative Assembly and Interior Health.
Our local MPs are Tracy Gray tracy.gray@parl.gc.ca and Dan Albas dan.albas@parl.gc.ca. Our local MLAs are Renee Merrifield renee.merrifield.mla@leg.bc.ca, Ben Stewart ben.stewart.mla@leg.bc.ca, and Norm Letnick norm.letnick.mla@leg.bc.ca.
You may also want to include Minister of Housing Ravi Kahlon at HOUS.Minister@gov.bc.ca, the Minister of Public Safety, Solicitor General and Deputy Premier Mike Farnworth at PSSG.Minister@gov.bc.ca, and Minister of Mental Health and Addictions Jennifer Whiteside at MMHA.Minister@gov.bc.ca. You can also include Interior Health at susan.brownCEO@interiorhealth.com to help us advocate for the necessary complex care required to meet the needs of our community.
I want you to know that while we are working to make improvements and seeing some results, I know it is not enough-that’s why I promise to work tirelessly to address crime and community safety here in Kelowna.
In the meantime, please be assured that Council will work hard over the next four years on this priority, and we are open to your suggestions and opinions on local solutions to address our community’s priorities. We will make Kelowna a safer city by listening to our residents and working together.
You can reach us at mayorandcouncil@kelowna.ca.
