Kelowna mayor Tom Dyas wants the next federal government to have a strong mandate/City of Kelowna

By Vernon Matters Staff

Getting Ottawa's ear

Kelowna mayor’s federal election wish list

Apr 27, 2025 | 10:00 AM

The mayor of Kelowna says the city wants a productive federal government with a strong mandate.

In an op-ed Friday, a few days before Monday’s general election, Tom Dyas listed the many areas in which Kelowna needs backing from Ottawa.

Among those: housing and affordability, investment in infrastructure and transit, improved public safety, and “real solutions to the complex challenges of mental health, addictions, and homelessness”, as he put it.

“We’re taking meaningful action locally, but municipalities cannot solve these challenges alone,” he wrote, in part. “Local governments rely on investments, legislation, and collaboration from both provincial and federal partners.”

He added the City was looking forward to working with the next federal government to continue advancing forward-thinking, innovative approaches to increase housing supply.

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Dyas said public safety was his and Council’s top priority.

“While we’re seeing progress locally — with crime trending in the right direction, as per the most recent RCMP Report to Council — this isn’t something any one community can solve alone,” wrote.

“Like many others across the country, Kelowna continues to be impacted by repeat property offenders cycling through the justice system. These are national issues that require national leadership. We’re asking the next federal government to continue strengthening bail reform and to hold repeat property offenders accountable.”

Dyas also called for the next federal government to meet the growing needs of Kelowna International Airport and its surrounding area..