Wildfire mitigation funding, increasing health services and support for seniors top priorities at UBCM

West Kelowna Mayor and Council and Chief Administrative Officer attended the 2026 Union of BC Municipalities (UBCM) Conference in Vancouver from September 14-18 where they met with Ministers and senior provincial staff. Throughout the week, Council strongly advocated for provincial action on wildfire mitigation funding, support for seniors, increasing mental health supports, redundant electrical power and transparent policing costs.

“Attending UBCM is an important opportunity for us to speak directly with the provincial government about our local needs and what the Province can do to support our growing community,” said West Kelowna Mayor Gord Milsom. 

At a meeting with Forests Minister Ravi Parmar, the City discussed increasing provincial funding for FireSmart and fuel mitigation activities. West Kelowna has shown how effective proactive wildfire mitigation is, including the recent positive example of the Kalamoir Park wildfire. The City and the Province agree that prevention and proactive fuel management are critical and that suppression alone cannot address increasing wildfire risks. The City is grateful for the positive partnership with BC Wildfire and the Ministry of Forests and short-term extension to FireSmart funding. 

At a meeting with Parliamentary Secretary for Mental Health and Addictions Amna Shah, the City discussed the importance of increasing access to mental health and addictions services for residents on the Westside; addressing existing service gaps and barriers that limit timely access to care; and supporting the development of sustainable, community-based mental health facilities and programs that meet the needs of a growing population. Mayor Gord Milsom states, “we are working in collaboration with our partner Interior Health to develop this business case.” 

The City also met with the Senior’s Advocate, Dan Leavitt, and discussed a variety of topics that impact seniors in the community. Discussion included the shortage of affordable and subsidized seniors housing in West Kelowna and the impact of the delay of provincial funding on affordable housing projects. The City also discussed access to health care; financial pressures facing seniors and the opportunity to explore West Kelowna becoming a greater age-friendly community.

In addition to the Minister meetings, City senior staff met with BC Hydro to discuss the redundant power supply project for the Westside and underground versus overhead lines. BC Hydro is progressing on a path to supply redundant power by 2032-33 and the next major step is their application to the BC Utilities Commission.

City senior staff, along with District of Peachland and Westbank First Nation, had a positive conversation with staff from the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General about cost mitigation and logistics to de-regionalize policing services from the Kelowna detachment. 

“Overall, we had productive meetings with provincial leaders and Mayor and Council looks forward to continuing to build relationships with senior levels of government and advocate for the needs of West Kelowna,” said Mayor Milsom.