CANDIDATE FOR CITY COUNCIL
Julia Fraser
Current Chair of SD23’s Finance and Planning Committee and Past Board Chair. Her council priorities are governance accountability, coordinated infrastructure planning and fiscal responsibility.
Nomination checked September 28, 2026. Earlier platform and record research: September 8, 2026. Recent statements show their own review dates.
Candidate questionnaire received and reviewed September 14, 2026. Published with authorization; answers are the candidate’s own statements. [397]
Experience & background
Her public announcement cites 15 years as a school trustee across four elections, with chair and committee leadership experience. [43]
SD23 confirms her election as board chair in October 2024. [20]
Current Chair of SD23’s Finance and Planning Committee and Past Board Chair. The district’s October 2025 appointments name Fraser as committee chair and Valene Johnson as board chair; Fraser was elected board chair in October 2024. [129][20]
Reports 15 years of trustee governance and extensive business sales experience. Submitted advocacy screenshots were reviewed; resulting funding increases remain candidate-reported. [397]
Issue positions
Campaign proposals are attributed positions. A blank area is an information gap, never an assumed vote against an issue.
IN THE CANDIDATE’S OWN WORDS
Candidate questionnaire · September 14, 2026
Answers supplied by the candidate and published with authorization. Conditional explanations are retained. Answers about past motions are hypothetical, not recorded votes.
Read the full response, priorities and affordability proposals ↗
Read all 25 quick-position answers
1. The City should shorten and simplify the process for approving new homes.
Conditional / Depends
Candidate’s explanation: Does the new home fit the character of the neighborhood.
2. The City should reduce development cost charges on new housing.
Kelowna has already adopted a temporary 25% DCC reduction, effective August 4, 2026 through September 30, 2028. DCCs are important because they help pay for infrastructure required by growth—roads, water, sewer, drainage and parks. If they are reduced too far, those costs can ultimately fall on existing taxpayers or necessary infrastructure can be delayed.
Editorial note: Written response retained as submitted; no binary Candidate Match score is inferred from this text.
3. Restrictions on short-term rentals should be loosened.
I support a balanced approach to short-term rentals. They play an important role in Kelowna’s tourism economy and provide income opportunities for property owners, but we must also protect our long-term housing supply. I support Kelowna’s move toward greater flexibility in designated areas where short-term rentals are appropriate. Any further loosening of restrictions should be based on evidence, including rental vacancy rates, housing availability and neighbourhood impacts. My goal would be to find the right balance between supporting tourism and property owners while ensuring Kelowna residents can find places to live.
Editorial note: Written response retained as submitted; no binary Candidate Match score is inferred from this text.
4. The City should pursue expanded public transit service.
Yes / Support
5. Infrastructure and service capacity should be ready before major additional growth is approved.
Yes / Support
6. The City should advocate for expanded involuntary addiction-treatment capacity.
I support the City advocating for expanded involuntary addiction-treatment capacity, alongside voluntary treatment, harm-reduction services and long-term recovery supports. People experiencing severe addiction and mental-health challenges often cannot access or accept treatment on their own, while families, businesses and neighbourhoods are left dealing with the consequences. Expanding involuntary treatment capacity could help connect people in crisis with the medical care, stabilization and ongoing support they need. Any such system must include clear legal safeguards, independent oversight, qualified health-care professionals and a continuum of care after stabilization. Involuntary treatment should be used carefully, with the goal of protecting people’s dignity, improving their health and helping them move toward voluntary, long-term recovery.
Editorial note: Written response retained as submitted; no binary Candidate Match score is inferred from this text.
7. The City should invest in wildfire prevention and preparedness.
Yes / Support
8. The City should carry out additional spending audits or operational reviews.
Yes / Support
9. The City should make individual councillors’ voting records easier to find and search.
Yes / Support
10. Would you have supported the October 27, 2025 electoral-reform study and conditional referendum-preparation motion? This bundled decision did not implement wards.
Conditional / Depends
Candidate’s explanation: I would have supported the October 27, 2025 motion to study electoral reform and prepare conditionally for a referendum. The motion did not implement wards; it directed the City to gather information and prepare for a possible future public decision. I support a careful, evidence-based review of how Kelowna’s electoral system represents residents. Any study should be transparent, independent where appropriate and clear about the potential benefits, costs and impacts of different models, including the current at-large system and possible ward structures. Preparing conditionally for a referendum is reasonable, provided that no change is made without meaningful public consultation and a clear decision by voters. The process should give residents accessible, balanced information and should not predetermine the outcome.
11. Would you have supported the March 16, 2026 second and third land-use and rezoning readings for part of Kelowna Springs? These were not final adoption.
Conditional / Depends
Candidate’s explanation: The Kelowna Springs issue involved proposed land-use and rezoning changes. Supporting second and third readings on March 16, 2026, would not have granted final approval; it would have advanced the proposal for further review of traffic, drainage, infrastructure, utilities, parks, neighbourhood, environmental and broader community impacts. Final adoption should have depended on those reviews, continued public engagement and evidence that the proposal fit the City’s planning framework and provided a clear public benefit.
12. Would you have supported the April 20, 2026 financial-plan and tax-funding motion, with its stated average net property impact of 4.40%? Individual bills vary.
Conditional / Depends
Candidate’s explanation: I would prefer to find efficiencies and streamline operations. An Increase in taxes would be a last resort. A 4.40% increase is significant for residents already facing affordability pressures, so I would not support it without carefully reviewing the financial plan and challenging expenditures. However, the budget maintains essential services while investing in priorities such as public safety, transportation and critical infrastructure. I also support the City’s efforts to use grants, reserves, user fees and other revenue sources to reduce reliance on property taxes. My approach would always be to scrutinize spending, look for efficiencies and ensure residents are receiving value for every tax dollar before supporting an increase.
13. The City should help expand co-operative housing and community land trusts.
Yes / Support
14. The City should strengthen protections for tenants displaced by redevelopment or renovations.
Yes / Support
15. The City should allow more small shops and cafés within residential neighbourhoods.
Conditional / Depends
Candidate’s explanation: Conditional. I support allowing more small-scale shops, cafés and services within residential neighbourhoods where they are appropriately located and supported by the community. Done well, this can create more walkable neighbourhoods, support local businesses and reduce the need for residents to drive for everyday needs. However, decisions should consider parking, traffic, noise, operating hours and impacts on neighbouring properties.
16. The City should advocate for a second bridge crossing of Okanagan Lake.
Yes / Support
17. The City should invest in filling gaps in its sidewalk and cycling networks.
Yes / Support
18. The City should expand foot patrols in commercial areas experiencing crime and disorder.
Yes / Support
19. The City should support expanded non-police response teams for suitable mental-health and substance-use calls.
Yes / Support
20. The City should increase access to public washrooms.
Yes / Support
21. The City should prioritize protecting agricultural land when making land-use decisions.
Yes / Support
22. The City should strengthen protection for existing trees.
Yes / Support
23. The City should limit annual property-tax increases to inflation.
Conditional / Depends
Candidate’s explanation: Conditional. I believe keeping property-tax increases as close to inflation as possible should be a goal, but I would not support an absolute cap that could compromise essential services or critical infrastructure. Before considering increases above inflation, Council should thoroughly review spending, identify efficiencies, pursue grants and other funding sources, and clearly explain to residents why any additional increase is necessary. My priority is fiscal discipline while ensuring Kelowna can responsibly maintain the services and infrastructure residents depend on.
24. Mayor and council pay increases should take effect only after the next election.
Conditional / Depends
Candidate’s explanation: Conditional. I support small, incremental annual adjustments to Mayor and Council compensation tied to Consumer Price Index (CPI), which can vary considerably (.08% -2.0%) from year to year. A CPI-based formula provides a transparent and predictable approach and avoids elected officials deciding their own discretionary increases. Any increase beyond the established CPI adjustment should be independently reviewed, publicly disclosed and take effect only after the next election.
25. Would you support a ward system for Kelowna, where residents elect councillors to represent defined geographic areas?
Conditional. I would support a comprehensive public consultation process to determine whether Kelowna residents want to move to a ward system and to fully understand the benefits and potential drawbacks. My fundamental belief, however, is that the Mayor and every City Councillor are elected to represent all Kelowna residents, regardless of which neighbourhood they live in. Any change to our electoral system should be driven by residents, supported by evidence and made only after meaningful public consultation.
Editorial note: Written response retained as submitted; no binary Candidate Match score is inferred from this text.
Housing & growth
Approval reform depends on neighbourhood character. Supports housing partnerships and tenant protection; cautions against shifting development costs to existing taxpayers. [397]
Safety & homelessness
Supports treatment capacity with legal safeguards, oversight and continuing care, alongside voluntary treatment; also supports foot patrols and suitable non-police teams. [397]
Transportation
Supports transit expansion, infrastructure readiness, a second crossing and connected walking/cycling routes. [397]
Taxes & spending
Targets inflation-level increases without an absolute cap. Supports annual CPI pay adjustments; larger increases should follow independent review and take effect after elections. [397]
Business & jobs
Review status not recorded for this section. Missing information does not establish a position. Submit information or a correction ↗
Accountability
Proposes annual council self-assessment and public explanations of decisions. Ward changes depend on evidence and meaningful resident consultation. [397]
Earlier campaign material: Campaign announcement emphasizes experience in public consultation, strategic planning, policy and financial oversight. It does not yet provide a full municipal platform. [43]
Climate, land & water
Supports wildfire preparedness, agricultural-land protection and existing-tree protection. [397]
Community & services
Selects childcare, transit, local jobs and walkable neighbourhoods for affordability; prefers targeted recreation assistance over broad fee reductions. [397]
Earlier campaign material: As school-board chair in 2024, stated a priority of advocating for resources for students, staff and families. This is education policy context, not a new council funding promise. [20]
Recent public statements
What the candidate has said publicly, with links to the original sources.
Growth and long-term costs · Candidate questionnaire
Calls for infrastructure planning that anticipates growth, a wider range of attainable housing, and disciplined budgeting that considers long-term costs. Calls for meaningful public consultation.
Candidate-written Capital News response; separate from the OKLV questionnaire. These are campaign proposals, not verified outcomes.
Read the original source ↗How to read these statements
Voting record
Selected decisions, not a complete voting history. Follow each record for the full motion. Historical votes do not automatically establish current views.
Selected SD23 decisions, with motions distinguished from later policy adoption. The school-board record is not a city-council record.
3.1% trustee indemnity adjustment
SD23 board
Motion 22P-080 used BC CPI to set 2022–2023 trustee stipends. A preceding amendment to use 2% was defeated.
Outcome: Carried; Desrosiers, Geistlinger and Tiede opposed
Moved main motion; voted against the 2% alternative.
Motion sequence and procedural roles
Moving or seconding a motion is separate from an individual vote. A defeated amendment does not establish the outcome of the main motion.
Listed in decision order: amendments were decided before the final vote on the main motion.
- Amendment: Use a 2% adjustment instead (22P-081)
Outcome: defeated.
Moved by: Trustee Geistlinger. Seconded by: Lee-Ann Tiede.
- Main motion: 3.1% trustee indemnity adjustment (22P-080)
Outcome: carried. This is the motion described by the entry above.
Moved by: Julia Fraser. Seconded by: Trustee Bowman.
Minutes status: adopted. Source links are listed with the voting entry.
Adopted 2022-05-25 under motion 22P-088. Read the adoption record (opens in a new tab).
Motion details checked 2026-09-19.
2022–2023 superintendent budget recommendations
SD23 board
Motion 22P-079 approved the budget recommendations attached to that meeting’s agenda.
Outcome: Carried; Bowman and Geistlinger opposed
Moved motion; present and not named opposed.
[17]Letter asking province to decide and fund any staff vaccine mandate
SD23 board
Motion 21P-145 concerned provincial responsibility and costs. It was a letter, not adoption of a staff mandate. Fraser proposed deleting the cost clause; that amendment failed.
Outcome: Carried; Bowman and Tiede opposed; Geistlinger absent
Moved a failed amendment deleting the cost clause; not named opposed on the final letter.
Motion sequence and procedural roles
Moving or seconding a motion is separate from an individual vote. A defeated amendment does not establish the outcome of the main motion.
Listed in decision order: amendments were decided before the final vote on the main motion.
- Amendment: Delete the cost clause (21P-146)
Outcome: defeated.
Moved by: Julia Fraser. Seconded by: Trustee Desrosiers.
- Main motion: Letter about provincial responsibility and costs (21P-145)
Outcome: carried. This is the motion described by the entry above.
Moved by: Trustee Desrosiers. Seconded by: Trustee Bowman.
Minutes status: adopted. Source links are listed with the voting entry.
Adopted 2021-10-27 under motion 21P-150. Read the adoption record (opens in a new tab).
Motion details checked 2026-09-19.
Business & finances
Public business & professional interests
Reviewed professional material describes public education governance, capital planning, policy and budget oversight. A current private business ownership inventory was not verified. [43]
Describes herself as independent and identifies trustee service as her principal public affiliation. [397]
Personal net worth
No reliable, dated net-worth disclosure was verified in the reviewed sources. Business roles, real-estate interests, public remuneration and campaign donations cannot establish personal net worth. Submit information or a correction ↗
Campaign finances
Campaign receipts and expenses are separate from personal wealth. Historical Kelowna campaign filings can be searched at Elections BC. The City lists January 15, 2027 as the 2026 campaign disclosure deadline. [8][2]
Politics & broader policy
Political alignment & party history
Political alignment unknown
Review status not recorded for this section. Missing information does not establish a position. Submit information or a correction ↗
Broader public & foreign policy
Dated personal statements, historical campaigns and organizational positions are distinguished below.
In October 2021, proposed removing a requirement for provincial cost coverage from a letter about any staff vaccine mandate. Her amendment failed; see the full motion context in the record. [18]
Review status not recorded for this section. Missing information does not establish a position. Submit information or a correction ↗
A historical school-trustee campaign page advocates predictable education funding, differentiated instruction, special-needs supports and district-wide consultation on transport, catchments and facilities. It emphasizes parents’ and school councils’ participation. These are earlier education positions, not confirmed promises for her 2026 council campaign. [128]
This collection is selective. It does not claim to capture every interview, speech, social post or position held over a lifetime.
Contact & follow
Public links from the candidate’s campaign or an official directory.
Contact sources · checked September 13, 2026 (City directory base); later checks noted individually; older campaign contacts retain their original source
Campaign-linked accounts are listed as supplied by the campaign or election directory. Links and contact details can change; availability or a reply is not guaranteed.
Research gaps & questions
What still needs an answer
- No costed municipal delivery plan or quantified housing target was supplied.
- Current private financial interests and detailed recusal procedures remain unspecified. Earlier school-board voting evidence is retained.
Questions worth asking
Editorial questions, not statements attributed to the candidate.
- Which specific municipal priorities would build on school-board experience?
- How would school and City planning better coordinate housing, childcare and new facilities?
Sources & references
9 relevant sources · original publication and review dates appear below. Nomination checked September 28, 2026. Campaign pages describe what a candidate says; official records establish recorded actions.
Photo: City of Kelowna candidate listing
View original image · Checked September 6, 2026. Photographer and reuse licence not stated on the candidate listing.
- 1City of Kelowna — officially declared 2026 candidates
Official record · Declared September 18, 2026; declaration reviewed October 1, 2026. Campaign-directory links were separately captured September 28, 2026.
kelowna.ca - 139Reviewed public statement — Growth and long-term costs
Campaign · October 10, 2026; reviewed October 13, 2026
kelownacapnews.com - 43Julia Fraser — public professional profile and council announcement
Professional biography · Checked September 6, 2026
ca.linkedin.com - 20SD23 — board elects Julia Fraser chair
Official record · October 31, 2024
sd23.bc.ca - 129Central Okanagan Public Schools — board and committee chair appointments
Official record · October 30, 2025; reviewed September 15, 2026
sd23.bc.ca - 397Julia Fraser — submitted candidate questionnaire (public transcript)
Candidate questionnaire · Submitted September 14, 2026; reviewed and published with candidate authorization September 15, 2026
vote.oksoundsfun.com - 18SD23 minutes — provincial vaccine mandate correspondence, page 3
Official record · October 13, 2021
sd23.bc.ca - 128Julia Fraser — historical school-trustee campaign platform
Campaign · Historical school-election page; publication date not shown; reviewed September 8, 2026
trusteejuliafraser.wordpress.com - 17SD23 minutes — budget and trustee indemnity, page 4
Official record · May 11, 2022
sd23.bc.ca