LOCAL

Kelowna Mayor Faces Backlash Over RCMP Funding Gap During Victoria Advocacy Trip

Kelowna Mayor Tom Dyas declines to ask for more RCMP funding in Victoria despite police warnings that the city needs 32 more officers to manage crime levels.

Published

6 months ago

April 6, 2026

Current News Room

Public Safety Under Scrutiny

Kelowna Mayor Tom Dyas recently traveled to Victoria to present the city’s top priorities to provincial ministers, but the notable absence of a request for increased RCMP funding has sparked a growing debate. While Dyas focused his advocacy on social disorder, the need for more Crown prosecutors, and the establishment of an involuntary compassionate care facility, he explicitly stated that the city would not be seeking additional police resources from the province at this time.

The Gap Between Policy and Policing

The Mayor’s stance stands in stark contrast to the professional assessment provided by Kelowna’s own RCMP leadership. During a council address on February 9, Superintendent Chris Goebel, the detachment’s officer-in-charge, warned that the current 2026 budget allocation for four additional officers falls significantly short of actual requirements. According to Goebel, the city needs approximately 32 more officers to effectively manage front-line call responses, summer spikes in activity, and the increased demand for foot patrols.

Local Business and Residents Sound the Alarm

The disconnect between the Mayor’s office and the RCMP’s operational assessment has left local stakeholders concerned. Rhonda Lindsay, owner of the Train Station Pub, described a grim reality for business owners dealing with broken windows, vehicle thefts, and equipment damage. Lindsay argued that while mental health and legal support are vital, policing is a non-negotiable part of the ‘full package’ required to keep Kelowna safe during its rapid growth.

In neighborhoods like Rutland, residents echoed these sentiments, citing the visible impacts of homelessness and the drug crisis as reasons for a more robust police presence. Despite these calls for action, Mayor Dyas maintained that police staffing remains a local budget matter. ‘We deal with that through our normal budget process and we’ve gone through the budget process at this point in time,’ Dyas told reporters, declining further requests to elaborate on why he passed up the opportunity to lobby for provincial assistance.

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LOCAL

Where Provincial Jobless Rates Stood in September

Canada’s national unemployment rate reached 6.5 per cent in September. Explore the full provincial breakdown and regional employment figures from Statistics Canada.

Published

18 hours ago

October 9, 2026

Current Editor

National and Provincial Jobless Figures

Canada recorded a national unemployment rate of 6.5 per cent in September, according to data released by Statistics Canada on Oct. 9, 2026.

Across Western Canada, British Columbia’s jobless rate shifted to 6.4 per cent from 6.5 per cent in August. Alberta recorded a rate of 6.4 per cent, down from 6.8 per cent the previous month, while Saskatchewan dropped to 5.4 per cent from 6.0 per cent. Manitoba’s unemployment rate remained unchanged at 5.0 per cent.

In Central Canada, Ontario’s unemployment rate rose slightly to 7.0 per cent from 6.9 per cent in August, while Quebec’s rate reached 6.0 per cent, up from 5.6 per cent.

Atlantic Canada and Regional City Data

In Atlantic Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador reported the highest provincial figure at 9.1 per cent, up from 8.6 per cent in August. New Brunswick saw a minor increase to 7.4 per cent from 7.3 per cent, and Nova Scotia rose to 6.3 per cent from 6.1 per cent. Prince Edward Island experienced a decline, moving to 7.3 per cent from 7.9 per cent.

Statistics Canada also tracked seasonally adjusted, three-month moving average rates for major urban areas. However, the agency cautioned that these municipal figures are subject to wide fluctuations due to smaller statistical sample sizes.

LOCAL

Who Is Running in Your Riding for the 2026 BC Election?

Check the full list of official candidates who have filed nomination papers for Kamloops, Fraser-Nicola, Cariboo-Chilcotin, and Salmon Arm-Shuswap ridings.

Published

18 hours ago

October 9, 2026

Current Editor

Candidates Confirmed Across Five Regional Ridings

Nomination papers have been officially submitted by individuals seeking election as local Members of the Legislative Assembly in the upcoming 2026 BC election.

In Kamloops Centre, voters will see a five-candidate field consisting of incumbent Peter Milobar for the BC Conservatives, Annelise Beach representing the BC Greens, Rocky McAfee for OneBC, Thaelo Proctor running as an Independent, and Mike Wisla representing the BC NDP.

To the north, the Kamloops-North Thompson constituency features incumbent Ward Stamer of the BC Conservatives, alongside Kory Clark running for the BC NDP and Deborah Friesen for OneBC.

Contests Set for Fraser-Nicola, Cariboo-Chilcotin, and Salmon Arm-Shuswap

In the Fraser-Nicola riding, incumbent Conservative Tony Luck faces challenges from Jason Leboe of the BC NDP and Patrick Mitchell of the BC Greens.

The Cariboo-Chilcotin ballot includes incumbent Lorne Doerkson running for the BC Conservatives, Kathryn Askew representing the BC NDP, and Douglas Gook representing the BC Greens.

Meanwhile, five candidates are contesting the Salmon Arm-Shuswap riding. Incumbent David Williams represents the BC Conservatives, joined on the ballot by Gloria Morgan for the BC NDP, Barbara Presch for OneBC, Denise Reimer for CentreBC, and Jed Wiebe for the BC Greens.

COMMUNITY

How Central Okanagan Residents Can Avoid Costly Household Plumbing Damage This Thanksgiving

RDCO warns Central Okanagan residents to dispose of Thanksgiving cooking fats in the garbage to avoid costly sewer blockages and plumbing damage.

Published

18 hours ago

October 9, 2026

Current Editor

Preventing Sewer Overflows During Holiday Gatherings

As Central Okanagan families come together for Thanksgiving between Oct. 10 and Oct. 12, regional officials are offering guidance to keep home plumbing systems safe. Disposing of fats, oils and cooking grease improperly remains the primary reason sewer lines block and overflow throughout the community.

Kit Caufield, Manager of Engineering Services for the Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO), explained that grease accumulation inside pipe infrastructure restricts wastewater flow over time. Caufield noted that “Over time, grease builds up inside pipes, restricting wastewater flow and creating problems not only for homeowners, but across the entire sewer system. These blockages can damage household plumbing, result in costly repairs and interfere with critical wastewater infrastructure, including sewer lift stations,”

Proper Waste Disposal Guidelines

To prevent damage to both private plumbing and public infrastructure like sewer lift stations, the RDCO recommends catching leftover food particles using a drain basket or strainer. Residents should pour warm cooking fats into a covered tin container, which can be lined with a cooking bag if intended for reuse. After the grease cools and hardens, the container should be sealed and discarded in the trash.

Additionally, fatty foods such as salad dressings, mayonnaise, and other sauces must be thrown into the garbage rather than rinsed down sinks. For larger quantities of used cooking oil, individuals can take up to two 20-litre pails to the Glenmore Landfill for recycling, though commercial amounts are prohibited. Further details can be found on the RDCO website.