Let’s keep building a safer, stronger, and more prosperous Kelowna
Over the last four years, Tom Dyas and Council made key investments and started delivering results.
Crime is down. Critical infrastructure is moving forward. Housing approvals are faster. City Hall is more focused on delivering the basic services residents expect. But the job is not finished.
The next term must build on that progress, fix what is still not working and ensure residents feel the difference in their daily lives.
Safer Streets
& Stronger Neighbourhoods
LET’S KEEP BUILDING
From the day Tom first ran for Mayor in 2022, he said public safety had to be job number one.
During this Council term, Kelowna added 33 RCMP officers, 17 Bylaw Enforcement Officers and 18 firefighters. The City expanded targeted patrols, strengthened coordination with local businesses and introduced new tools to respond to crime and disorder.
Those investments are producing results. Four years ago, Kelowna had the highest crime rate of any major city in Canada. Since then, crime has fallen three years in a row.
Tom has also taken Kelowna’s case directly to Victoria and Ottawa, pushing for bail reform, more Crown prosecutors and better treatment options for people in serious crisis.
There is still more work to do. Tom will continue fighting for the resources, laws and services needed to make Kelowna safer.
More Homes and a More Affordable Kelowna
LET’S KEEP BUILDING
Kelowna needs homes that meet the needs of families, young people, seniors and workers.
Over the past four years, Tom has focused on getting shovels in the ground faster so people can move into new homes sooner.
The City has accelerated approvals, introduced fast-track programs for infill housing and secured new funding and partnerships to support housing construction.
More housing supply has started to ease pressure, but affordability remains a serious challenge.
Tom will keep working to remove barriers, support responsible housing growth and make it easier for people to build a future in Kelowna.
Real Pathways Out of Homelessness
LET’S KEEP BUILDING
Kelowna needs an approach to homelessness that is compassionate, practical and accountable.
Tom helped bring the tiny-home model to Kelowna after seeing its potential and making the case to the Province. Kelowna now has 180 transitional tiny homes, and more than 125 people have moved from the street or shelters into housing, treatment or back home with their families.
That progress shows people can move forward when housing, support and community services work together.
But too many people remain trapped in cycles of addiction, homelessness and crisis. That is not fair to them, their families, local businesses or the broader community.
Tom will continue pushing for more treatment, recovery, complex-care and supportive-housing options while protecting neighbourhoods and public spaces.
Roads and Infrastructure That Keep Kelowna Moving
LET’S KEEP BUILDING
Kelowna’s infrastructure must keep pace with its growth.
For too long, major transportation projects were discussed without moving forward. Over the last four years, work advanced on the KLO Bridge, Glenmore Road, Burtch Road, Hollywood Road and the Clement Crosstown Connector.
Council has also moved forward with the new Parkinson Recreation Centre and new activity centres in Glenmore, Mission and Rutland.
These are long-term investments in how people move, work, raise families and enjoy their community.
Tom believes Kelowna must continue building the roads, bridges, transit, recreation facilities and neighbourhood infrastructure a growing city needs.
Value for Every Tax Dollar
LET’S KEEP DELIVERING
Tom knows it is not Council’s money. It is your money.
Tom brought a business approach to City Hall. Council introduced service-based budgeting so residents can better understand where their money goes and what it delivers. Internal audits increased from one per year to four, and financial reporting expanded from once a year to quarterly.
The City also changed how major projects are planned and delivered, with a greater focus on cost control, coordination and accountability.
Fiscal responsibility is not simply saying no. It means controlling costs, protecting essential services and ensuring every dollar delivers value for residents.
Tom will continue working to make City Hall more accountable, transparent and focused on results.
A Stronger, More Prosperous Local Economy
LET’S KEEP BUILDING
Kelowna should be a city where businesses can grow, workers can find good jobs and young people can build their futures.
Council made economic prosperity a formal priority and established a Community Task Force on Economic Prosperity.
Kelowna International Airport continues to expand, with new passenger facilities, a parkade, hotel development and opportunities to unlock additional employment lands. Major events are bringing visitors, investment and national attention to the city.
Kelowna has also become Canada’s first UNESCO Creative City of Gastronomy, creating new opportunities for tourism, agriculture and local businesses.
Tom will continue working with businesses, community partners and other governments to attract investment, support local employers and build a more prosperous Kelowna.
The Work Continues.
Kelowna has made meaningful progress over the last four years.
More frontline public-safety resources are in place. More homes are being built. Major infrastructure projects are moving forward. New recreation facilities are underway. City finances are more transparent and accountable.
Residents still need to feel more of that progress.
Now is not the time to stop investing or start over.
It is time to build on what is working, improve what is not and finish the work that has begun.
Let’s keep building a safer, stronger and more prosperous Kelowna—for all of us.