Kelowna mayor Tom Dyas speaking at a Save Our Streets event at the BC Legislature in September/Mayor's office

By Vernon Matters Staff

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Kelowna mayor welcomes Fed’s bail reform bill

Oct 23, 2025 | 4:21 PM

Kelowna’s mayor is welcoming the federal government’s move on bail reform.

Tom Dyas said his council’s number one priority has been public safety. Other mayors including those from Vernon and West Kelowna have been part of a municipal “Save Our Streets” coalition calling for reform.

The Federal government’s bail reform bill would require more accused people to show why they should be granted bail, rather than putting the onus on prosecutors to explain why they should not be.

“From the very beginning of our term in 2022, this Council’s number one priority has been public safety,” Dyas said, in part, in a statement. “This includes focused advocacy to the federal government to address repeat property offenders and to the provincial government for investments in crown prosecutors and the development of mandatory compassionate care.

“We have worked tirelessly to provide real data, bring forward solutions and ensure the concerns of our residents, business owners, service providers, and first responders are heard at every level of government.It is encouraging to see the proposed federal bail reforms include a focus on violent and repeat offending including organized retail theft, break and enter, and auto-theft.”

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