Kelowna mayor Tom Dyas/City of Kelowna
By Vernon Matters Staff
SHOP LOCAL

‘A commitment to supporting our own’: Kelowna mayor Tom Dyas

Apr 7, 2025 | 6:00 PM

Shop local: That’s the message from Kelowna mayor Tom Dyas in his monthly newsletter.

Dyas says it is crucial to support Kelowna and Canadian businesses during these uncertain times.

He says Canadians take pride in supporting their own, and in Kelowna, council and staff share that commitment.

Dyas wrote, in part, that the City of Kelowna already prioritizes Canadian suppliers wherever possible. “In fact, currently 99% of our suppliers are Canadian. This is because our value-based procurement system recognizes the value of local expertise,” he said.

“By considering factors such as knowledge of Canadian regulations, local service capacity, and familiarity with Kelowna’s specific needs, our process naturally favours homegrown businesses, helping to keep tax dollars in our community and our country.

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A great example of this is the new Kelowna sign being installed in Stuart Park. Through our procurement process, five designers are being considered for the project—all of them Canadian.”

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