Campaign Trail Brings Health-Care Promises to Central Okanagan

With B.C. voters heading to the polls in four days, provincial party leaders are focusing heavily on Central Okanagan health care. B.C. NDP Leader David Eby visited City Park in Kelowna on Tuesday to elaborate on a $30-million platform commitment aimed at finishing the sixth floor of Kelowna General Hospital (KGH).

The 33,000-square-foot space has sat unfinished since the building was constructed in 2012. Under the NDP’s plan, the area would be transformed into a permanent inpatient unit, which would include space for detox beds and addiction services. Eby stated that the project is fully costed and would be funded in part by raising taxes on the province’s wealthiest residents, asserting that 96 per cent of British Columbians would see no tax increase.

Conservative Candidate Rejects Pledge as Political Maneuver

Gavin Dew, the B.C. Conservative candidate for Kelowna-Mission, criticized the pledge as a desperate and cynical promise made right before election day. Dew argued that the NDP ignored local health priorities for years while the sixth floor remained vacant and patients occupied more than 50 hallway beds.

Dew also pointed to ongoing culture and staffing issues within Interior Health, stating that doctors and health professionals have been driven away. He noted that internal memos from April showed discussions about the 6E space were already occurring among hospital executives following months of local advocacy.

Staffing and Broader Regional Priorities

Addressing questions about how the expanded floor would be staffed given widespread health-care shortages, Eby said current staff need the physical space for patients, while future growth would rely on ongoing recruitment efforts. He highlighted provincial programs targeting American health professionals, expanded training seats at UBC, and the addition of 1,400 family doctors in recent years.

Loyal Wooldridge, the NDP candidate for Kelowna Centre and former regional hospital district chair, emphasized that completing the sixth floor must coincide with expanding long-term care and substance use treatment options. He added that reducing emergency department wait times remains a frequent priority raised by local residents.

Parties Target Okanagan Ridings

The spending promise comes as political leaders make frequent stops in the region. The NDP platform also includes $90 million for 75 involuntary-care spaces at Oliver Correctional Centre, $20 million over four years for Kelowna International Airport, and funding for compassionate care beds in Oliver.

Meanwhile, B.C. Conservative leader Lorne Doerkson told a Kelowna gathering on Monday that his party would make publicly funded health care the top funding priority in every budget, pointing to a previously announced $50-million fund to support rural emergency rooms. Local candidates are set to address voters further during a Kelowna Chamber forum on Tuesday afternoon.

Close Election Outcome and Concerns

Following a tight municipal race on Saturday, Oct. 17, mayoral candidate Ron Cannan indicated there is a strong possibility his campaign will formally request a recount. Incumbent Tom Dyas secured re-election with 19,451 votes (50.54 per cent), while Cannan received 18,482 votes (48.02 per cent), resulting in a 969-vote gap. Andrew Uitvlugt finished third with 556 votes (1.4 per cent).

Addressing supporters at his election night event at the Coast Capri Hotel, Cannan and campaign manager Shari Matvieshen pointed out several issues regarding how votes were counted at city hall. Matvieshen stated that scrutineers at seven out of 13 polling stations were denied vote counts after 8 p.m., despite being entitled to the information. Cannan also expressed frustration that reporting from all 22 stations required more than three hours after polls closed.

Reflections and Policy Priorities

Under the B.C. Elections Act, candidates have up to three days following final voting day to file a recount request. While reviewing those options alongside his campaign team, Cannan acknowledged the results, offered his congratulations to Dyas, and recognized newly elected city councillors, including Gord Lovegrove and Kevin Kraft, who attended his gathering.

Reflecting on his campaign, the veteran politician—who previously spent 13 years in municipal office and nine years as a Member of Parliament—expressed pride in his platform and gratitude toward various community faith groups. While leaving his political future open, Cannan noted that public safety and RCMP resources should be the incoming council’s main focus. He also advocated for discussions surrounding voluntary and involuntary care facilities, alongside tougher sentencing, to address local mental health and crime issues.

Voters Elect Five New Council Members

Kelowna’s city council will feature a majority of new faces for the first time since 2011. In the recent election, voters selected new members Davis Kyle, Kevin Kraft, Brady Rogers, Laura Thurnheer, and Les Bellamy to serve on council.

Three Incumbents Re-Elected

Alongside the five newcomers, three incumbent politicians secured re-election. Gord Lovegrove, Rick Webber, and Mohini Singh will return to their positions on council.

Vote Counts and Voter Turnout

Among the elected candidates, Davis Kyle and Kevin Kraft earned the highest tally, receiving 14,822 votes each. Brady Rogers followed with 12,635 votes, while incumbent Rick Webber brought in 12,512 votes. Mohini Singh received 11,968 votes, Laura Thurnheer gathered 11,949 votes, and Les Bellamy secured 11,470 votes.

Total participation saw 38,489 residents cast ballots out of an estimated 128,885 eligible voters in Kelowna.