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(Image Credit: lovegrovekelowna.ca)
local election

Transportation big-thinker re-runs for Kelowna city council

Sep 22, 2026 | 10:01 AM

First-time Kelowna city councillor Gord Lovegrove will run for re-election in the local elections next month.

Lovegrove is a UBC Okanagan professor, specializing in civil engineering with a major emphasis on applied sustainable civil engineering and transport safety.

The creation of affordable housing development projects is a key part of his platform, noting short term stabilization programs and youth care services are effective at helping families who oftentimes have to spend 30% of their income on housing.

But bold, ambitious transportation plans remain on Lovegrove’s wish list. He continues to advocate for an Okanagan Valley Electric passenger rail service that he said would “…massively benefit sustainable tourism and transportation in Kelowna’s economy. Residents and tourists could enjoy an easily accessible, environmentally friendly transportation system.”

Also, he promotes renewable energy initiatives and an emphasis on clean tech industries that he said can help create jobs and support the Okanagan’s tourism industry which already generates $1.4 billion in economic activity annually.

“Creating jobs in innovative and sustainable fields will aid in future proofing Kelowna’s economy.”

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