LOCAL

Kelowna Mayor Faces Backlash Over RCMP Funding Gap During Victoria Advocacy Trip

Kelowna Mayor Tom Dyas declines to ask for more RCMP funding in Victoria despite police warnings that the city needs 32 more officers to manage crime levels.

Published

5 months ago

April 6, 2026

Current News Room

Public Safety Under Scrutiny

Kelowna Mayor Tom Dyas recently traveled to Victoria to present the city’s top priorities to provincial ministers, but the notable absence of a request for increased RCMP funding has sparked a growing debate. While Dyas focused his advocacy on social disorder, the need for more Crown prosecutors, and the establishment of an involuntary compassionate care facility, he explicitly stated that the city would not be seeking additional police resources from the province at this time.

The Gap Between Policy and Policing

The Mayor’s stance stands in stark contrast to the professional assessment provided by Kelowna’s own RCMP leadership. During a council address on February 9, Superintendent Chris Goebel, the detachment’s officer-in-charge, warned that the current 2026 budget allocation for four additional officers falls significantly short of actual requirements. According to Goebel, the city needs approximately 32 more officers to effectively manage front-line call responses, summer spikes in activity, and the increased demand for foot patrols.

Local Business and Residents Sound the Alarm

The disconnect between the Mayor’s office and the RCMP’s operational assessment has left local stakeholders concerned. Rhonda Lindsay, owner of the Train Station Pub, described a grim reality for business owners dealing with broken windows, vehicle thefts, and equipment damage. Lindsay argued that while mental health and legal support are vital, policing is a non-negotiable part of the ‘full package’ required to keep Kelowna safe during its rapid growth.

In neighborhoods like Rutland, residents echoed these sentiments, citing the visible impacts of homelessness and the drug crisis as reasons for a more robust police presence. Despite these calls for action, Mayor Dyas maintained that police staffing remains a local budget matter. ‘We deal with that through our normal budget process and we’ve gone through the budget process at this point in time,’ Dyas told reporters, declining further requests to elaborate on why he passed up the opportunity to lobby for provincial assistance.

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LOCAL

What to Know About the Official Candidate List for Kelowna’s Upcoming Election

The official candidate list for the Kelowna municipal election on Oct. 17 is finalized, featuring candidates for mayor, city council, and school board trustee.

Published

13 hours ago

September 12, 2026

Current Editor

Kelowna Candidates Set for General Local Election

Voters in Kelowna will head to the polls on Oct. 17 following the official finalization of the candidate list for mayor, city council, and school board trustee positions. Interested individuals had until Sept. 11 at 4 p.m. to hand in their official paperwork at City Hall.

Mayoral and Council Candidates

Three individuals are competing for the office of mayor, including incumbent Tom Dyas, former councillor Ron Cannan, and resident Andrew Uivtlugt.

Meanwhile, more than 30 candidates are seeking election to the eight available city councillor seats. Among those competing are incumbents Rick Webber, Mohini Singh, Gord Lovegrove, and Maxine DeHart.

The remaining candidates running for council include Susan Ames, Les Bellamy, Christopher Bocskei, Doris Bregolisse, Nikki Csek, Greg Dahms, Todd Daniels, Indy Dhial, Crystal Dougan, Tim Down, Julia Fraser, Daniel Fritter, Bal Grewal, King James, Hamid Khajavi, Kevin Kraft, Davis Kyle, Teresa May, Trevor McAleese, Randy Millis, Humberto Morales, Brian Pinter, Jay Rathwell, Brady Rogers, Brian Rogers, Mike Rose, Todd Sanderson, Corey Severin, Glendon Smedley, Silverado Socrats, Laura Thurnheer, Lee-ann Tiede, and Rob Wilkinson.

Further Information

Details regarding the 2026 general local elections are available online at elections.bc.ca.

LOCAL

What to Know About West Kelowna’s Uncontested Mayoralty and Council Race

Stephen Johnson will become West Kelowna’s next mayor uncontested on Oct. 17, while 13 candidates compete for six city councillor seats in the election.

Published

13 hours ago

September 12, 2026

Current Editor

Uncontested Mayoral Race

With the candidate submission deadline now passed for the upcoming municipal election in West Kelowna, Stephen Johnson will become the city’s next mayor. Johnson, who previously served as a councillor under former mayor Gord Milsom, is running uncontested heading into the Oct. 17 election.

Thirteen Candidates Seek Six Council Seats

While the mayoral seat is secured, a 13-resident field is competing for the six available councillor positions. The race includes four incumbents seeking re-election: Tasha Da Silva, Rick de Jong, Garrett Millsap, and Carol Zanon.

Joining the incumbents on the ballot for the six council seats are Gary Buckberry, Justin Chapman, Bradley Dobbin, Ken Grant, Tom Groat, Dane Landry, Beau Langevin, Miranda McMullin, and Chris Moyer. Further details regarding the 2026 general local elections are available at elections.bc.ca.

COMMUNITY

New Agreement to Bring Forestry Jobs and Management to Osoyoos Indian Band

The Osoyoos Indian Band and Gorman Group partner through Similkameen Forest Products Ltd. to manage TFL 59, bringing jobs and local planning to the OIB.

Published

13 hours ago

September 12, 2026

Current Editor

Direct Role in Planning TFL 59

A new partnership between the Osoyoos Indian Band (OIB) and the Gorman Group, signed via Similkameen Forest Products Ltd., ensures the OIB will participate directly in managing Tree Farm Licence 59. Located in the band’s traditional territory east of Oliver, the forest licence area will now involve early-stage planning by Nk’Mip Forestry LLP, the OIB’s forestry company.

Community Benefits and Local Economic Impact

The joint arrangement focuses on keeping local forestry benefits within the community. “This partnership will help create more jobs, specific training opportunities, and longer-term revenue for the Osoyoos Indian Band and our people,” said OIB Chief Clarence Louie. He added that the agreement enables the OIB to build skills and experience for future responsibilities while strengthening its position in the local forest economy.

Balancing Cultural Priorities and Industrial Supply

Nk’Mip will collaborate with Similkameen Forest Products Ltd. to plan proposed harvest sites. Their work will incorporate considerations for wildlife habitat, forest health, water quality, wildfire resilience, and sites of cultural or traditional importance. Norm Druck, South Zone Woodlands Manager for the Gorman Group, emphasized the area’s dual significance, noting that this portion of land represents the cultural heartland of the band—supporting traditional medicines, food, jobs, and spiritual well-being—while also supplying timber for the Gorman Group’s regional manufacturing facilities.