Statement from Tom Dyas on Extreme Heat

July 26, 2022

KELOWNA — Due to the continued inaction by the leadership at the City of Kelowna, Mayoral Candidate Tom Dyas has put out the following statement:

“15 people in Kelowna died last year as a result of the heat dome, we need decisive action to keep people safe this week and we’ve seen nothing. While decision-makers debate over jurisdictional responsibility, Kelowna’s residents continue to be put at risk due to extreme heat.

The City of Kamloops and the City of Penticton have proactively communicated and activated their municipally-run cooling centres, and yet we’ve seen radio silence from Kelowna’s leadership.

The City of Kelowna says they need Interior Health’s permission and Interior Health says it’s the City of Kelowna’s responsibility. Residents don’t care whose responsibility it is, they want action – and right now there’s an abject failure in leadership and action. The City’s number one responsibility is the safety of their residents, and right now that’s not happening.”

Tom Dyas will fight to save Kelowna Springs

July 26, 2022

KELOWNA — Kelowna Mayoral Candidate Tom Dyas has announced that as Mayor he would fight to save Kelowna Springs Golf Course from being turned into warehouses.

“Leadership is about making difficult choices, and while we must plan for the growth Kelowna is going through we have to be extremely thoughtful so that we don’t erode the amenities and lifestyles that have led people to call Kelowna home in the first place,” said Kelowna Mayoral Candidate Tom Dyas. “Residents have told me that they expect their next Mayor to fight to save Kelowna Springs, and that’s what I will do.”

Despite City Council supporting the designation of the lands to industrial when passing the OCP 2040, Council and Mayor revisited the topic of Kelowna Springs’ designation specifically on July 25, 2022. At that meeting Council voted 4-3 to revisit the topic again at a future meeting, with Mayor Basran, Coun. Woolridge and Coun. Donn voting against revisiting, and Coun. DeHart, Coun. Singh, Coun. Hodge and Coun. Stack voting to continue the discussion.

“In recent years Kelowna has lost Central Park to Walmart, Fairview to housing, Shadow Ridge eventually to an airport expansion, Michaelbrook on day to baseball fields, and Kelowna Springs now designated for warehouses — the potential cumulative loss of these five courses is significant,” said Dyas. “While significant changes in a growing city have to be expected, it is important that we never lose sight of why people choose to live here in the first place.”

Tom Dyas announces candidacy for Mayor of Kelowna

June 29, 2022

KELOWNA — Local entrepreneur, former President of the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce and head of Kelowna’s successful 2020 Memorial Cup bid, Tom Dyas, has announced he is running for Mayor of Kelowna in the 2022 municipal election.

“Kelowna has seen tremendous growth over the last eight years and while we’ve seen some positive changes, our leaders have failed to address many of the key priorities of our residents,” said Kelowna Mayoral candidate Tom Dyas. “Kelowna has one of the highest crime rates in the country, housing prices are out of reach for too many, our infrastructure is ageing and yet we’ve seen 29% increase in taxes over eight years — it’s time for residents to get results.”

Tom Dyas is a community leader, having been actively involved in Kelowna Minor Hockey, and sitting on countless community steering committees and boards aimed at community development — including the Journey Home Task Force, the Airport Advisory Committee, the Child Advocacy Centre and an Okanagan College committee tasked with designing new courses.

“Residents need a Mayor who will listen to them when they say crime has gotten worse, housing is unaffordable, roads are congested, and a 29% increase in property taxes is too much,” said Dyas. “As your Mayor — my promise to you is to never say that good is good enough and to never say that any issue we’re facing as a community is not my problem. Being a leader means listening and stepping up when others won’t — and that’s what I’ll do as your Mayor.”