Kelowna mayor Tom Dyas addresses the Chamber of Commerce/ City of Kelowna

By Vernon Matters Staff

working on the future

Good and bad: Kelowna mayor addresses Chamber

Sep 17, 2025 | 5:09 PM

Important successes and serious challenges have been highlighted by the mayor of Kelowna.

In an address to the Chamber of Commerce, Tom Dyas, said with more than 130 capital projects underway, they are accelerating infrastructure across the city.

This includes the Clement Avenue extension, the new transit operations centre, and the massive redevelopment of Parkinson Recreation Centre.

Dyas told the Chamber, Kelowna is becoming recognized as a world-class events destination.

On the housing file, he said there had been progress with nearly 3,500 homes completed last year.

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But, for the clear successes there are also significant challenges.

Dyas said the root causes of homelessness, chronic offenders, untreated mental illness, and the toxic drug crisis, remain unresolved.

He said municipalities cannot solve these challenges alone and city council will advocate for three urgent asks at next week’s Union of BC Municipalities convention.

Those are: Bail reform to keep chronic offenders off the streets; more Crown prosecutors to ensure justice is delivered; and compassionate mandatory care for those who pose a danger to themselves or others.