Council Highlights - May 19, 2026

Date of Issue: Tuesday, May 19, 2026

Watch meetings live or through the webcast archive

Council meetings are livestreamed at westkelownacity.ca/webcasts and archived within one business day. Please visit pub-westkelowna.escribemeetings.com to view the May 19 webcast archive.

Province urged to address essential local priorities

Council continues to press Premier David Eby and the provincial government to address key community priorities, including mental health services, affordable housing, wildfire prevention funding and reliable power infrastructure. Council emphasized the need for continued Community Resiliency Investment funding that supports the FireSmart program, provincial support for a proposed 44-unit affordable housing project on Delray Road and timely completion of BC Hydro’s West Kelowna Transmission Project to provide the Greater Westside with a secondary power source. For full details, please read the news release at westkelownacity.ca/news.

Public encouraged to provide input on West Kelowna Transmission Project

Council encourages the public to attend the May 26 Council Meeting at 6 p.m. at Council Chambers in City Hall at 3731 Old Okanagan Highway, to provide feedback on route options for BC Hydro’s West Kelowna Transmission Project, which is in the planning and design stage. Input will help inform the project moving forward. Members of the public who wish to speak can sign up upon arrival between 5:30 to 6 p.m. Each speaker will have one opportunity to speak and will be allotted up to three minutes to provide comments regarding the proposed route configurations and project options. Written comments may be submitted to mayorandcouncil@westkelownacity.ca.

Community invited to two family events this weekend

Residents are invited to attend FireSmart Family Dayon Saturday, May 23 at Fire Hall 31 on Old Okanagan Highway and Public Works Family Dayon Sunday, May 24 at the Operations Centre off Stevens Road, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day. Both free events will feature family activities, equipment displays, demonstrations, food, and chances to meet City firefighters and public works crews.

SILGA conference highlights

Councillors Tasha Da Silva and Carol Zanon presented a report on the 2026 Southern Interior Local Government Association (SILGA) conference, where approximately 250 delegates from 37 local governments attended workshops, keynote sessions and resolution debates. Councillor Da Silva was elected SILGA first vice president.

Presentation given on aquatic invasive species

The Okanagan and Similkameen Invasive Species Society provided an update on prevention efforts. Staff visited the Gellatly boat launch 11 times, surveyed 152 watercraft and engaged with 395 members of the public. The society proposes that a large sign be installed at the launch to raise further awareness.

Short-term rentals report requested

Council endorsed a motion from Councillors Rick de Jong and Garrett Millsap requesting a report on the City’s current short-term rental regulations, enforcement, compliance, and a monitoring service used to identify unlicensed and non-compliant operations.

Infill housing zoning amendments advance

Council gave first and second readings to proposed zoning bylaw amendments aimed at removing barriers to infill housing. The amendments, if adopted, would better support development of secondary suites, carriage homes, duplexes, townhouses and apartments through amendments such as increasing the maximum allowed size of secondary suites, removing certain design restrictions and allowing more flexible configurations. Other changes related to the implementation and interpretation of the Zoning Bylaw were also included as part of the proposed amendments. A public hearing will be scheduled to receive community and developer feedback on the amendments.

Water treatment plant chemical contracts awarded

Council awarded contracts to Alumichem Canada Inc. and Cleartech Industries Inc. to supply drinking water treatment plant chemicals following a competitive request for proposals and in keeping with the 2026 Operating Budget.