West Kelowna council met with Premier David Eby and expressed continued concerns with the ongoing lack of provincial investments in the city and the greater Westside.
Councillors also met with cabinet ministers and ministry staff at the Union of BC Municipalities Convention (UBM) in Vancouver (Sep. 18-22).
Topics discussed included investments in all housing types, a second hydro line to serve the Westside, increasing healthcare services and facilities, the deficit of provincially funded RCMP members, and Highway 97 improvements.
“West Kelowna is the youngest city and the third largest by population in the Okanagan, yet provincial investments remain either absent or progress remains extremely slow,” said Mayor Gord Milsom. “This simply must change.”
Peachland Mayor Patrick Van Minsel, Regional District Central Okanagan Board Chair Loyal Wooldridge, and Westbank First Nation Councillor Jordan Coble were also invited to discuss matters of mutual concern.
“The B.C. government clearly heard from our council, and from our good neighbours, that our governments are united and will remain vigilant to receive the long-overdue provincial investments that come with rapid growth,” Milsom added.
The city advocated for 14 meetings, 10 of which were accepted and held in person at this year’s UBCM.
More information about the meetings is available on the City of West Kelowna website.
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