Focused advocacy at UBCM conference
News Release
The City of Kelowna’s delegation returned from the annual Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) convention after a full week of advocacy meetings with Provincial leaders in Victoria.
As always, the focus for Mayor Tom Dyas, Council members and senior staff working at the conference was to propose further successful collaborations with Provincial leaders and reinforce Council’s priorities to drive tangible results for Kelowna.
Among the most discussed priorities among UBCM participants was public safety.
Standing with Mayors and Councillors from across B.C., Mayor Dyas participated in a press conference on Sept. 24 with S.O.S Save our Streets to call on the Province for more action on public safety measures to protect property and personal safety.
“Municipalities are on the front lines of public safety, managing the day-to-day impacts of chronic repeat crime, untreated mental health and addictions, and a justice system stretched thin,” said Mayor Tom Dyas. “Mayors stood together this week to call for systemic change, and in my meetings with Ministers I pressed for the specific actions Kelowna needs — more Crown prosecutors in the Okanagan, bail reform that holds chronic offenders accountable, and mandatory compassionate care for those who pose a danger to themselves or others.”
The City of Kelowna spoke with Dr. Daniel Vigo, the Province’s Chief Scientific Advisor on psychiatry, toxic drugs, and concurrent disorders, as well as members of the BC Crown Counsel Association. Mayor Dyas joined a media panel with Premier David Eby to discuss ways governments can work together to improve public safety, including joint bail reforms advocacy and Provincial investments in Crown prosecutors.
The Kelowna delegation also concentrated discussions on a new transit operations centre and electrification of the bus fleet. The Mayor and Council went on a tour with BC Transit to view their Victoria Operations and Maintenance facility and learn more about the electrification infrastructure that will be coming to Kelowna next year, while also discussing the need for a new transit operations centre for the Kelowna Regional Transit System.
The Clement Avenue multi-modal corridor expansion was another focus of discussions with ministers, along with Kelowna International Airport expansion to grow the region’s economic development opportunities.
As part of the intergovernmental relations program, the City meets with Ministers throughout the year to advance Council’s advocacy priorities. The UBCM convention offers an additional opportunity for in-person discussions with Ministers. Meetings are brief and require a focused approach that aligns with Council’s advocacy priorities.
Meetings to advance Council priorities were held with:
Hon. Niki Sharma, Attorney General and Deputy Premier
Hon. Nina Krieger, Solicitor General and Minister of Public Safety
Hon. Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth
Hon. Mike Farnworth, Minister of Transportation and Transit
Hon. Anne Kang, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport
Hon. Kelly Greene, Minister of Emergency Management and Climate Readiness
Kelowna staff were called upon as subject matter experts to present local experience on five panel discussions, sharing insights on programs and local initiatives on affordable housing, shared transportation, artificial intelligence permitting, and housing policy innovation.
The City also brought home two Climate and Energy Awards from the Community Energy Association for the Climate Resilient Kelowna Strategy and the DeHart Park Carbon Neutral Design.
“Participation in the UBCM Convention provides an important opportunity to bring Kelowna’s priorities directly to the Province,” said Mayor Tom Dyas. “Meeting with Ministers and Ministry staff allows us to advocate face-to-face for the projects that matter most—whether that is expanding our roads and transit network, securing economic investment and partnership, or advancing the housing and recreation projects our residents rely on. These conversations strengthen our advocacy and ensure Kelowna continues to be recognized as a leading community that is planning ahead and delivering for its residents."
