Les Bellamy

1. The City should shorten and simplify the process for approving new homes.

I support simplifying and shortening approvals, but it needs to be part of a balanced approach to growth. We need more housing choices, not simply more of one type of housing. New growth also needs to be coordinated with the roads, utilities, parks and other infrastructure required to support it. The goal should be the right housing options, in the right places, with infrastructure keeping pace.

Editorial note: Written response retained as submitted; no binary Candidate Match score is inferred from this text.

2. The City should reduce development cost charges on new housing.

We need a better way to fund growth-related infrastructure without shifting the burden to existing taxpayers or front-loading so much of the cost onto the first purchaser of a new home. I support exploring a model that amortizes more of these infrastructure costs over the life of the property. That would require collaboration with the Province and likely legislative changes, but it could protect taxpayers while reducing the upfront cost of new housing.

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.

The Province’s approach was too sweeping and created unintended consequences. I support reviewing the rules and allowing short-term rentals where they make sense and do not negatively impact the availability of long-term housing. I would also support exploring specific STR zoning that identifies appropriate locations rather than applying a one-size-fits-all approach across the city.

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

Editorial note: The candidate selected Yes / Support here. His everyday-affordability response below qualifies transit expansion by practicality, ridership and value; read both together.

5. Infrastructure and service capacity should be ready before major additional growth is approved.

Growth and infrastructure need to be planned together. Building complete communities, where housing is supported by transportation, parks, services and amenities, should be a priority. At the same time, we already have infrastructure deficits in parts of Kelowna that we need to catch up on as quickly as practical. Going forward, the goal should be for infrastructure to keep pace with growth rather than continually trying to catch up afterward.

Editorial note: Written response retained as submitted; no binary Candidate Match score is inferred from this text.

6. The City should advocate for expanded involuntary addiction-treatment capacity.

Yes / Support

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.

I support examining ways to improve representation, but I am not convinced a traditional ward system is the right solution for Kelowna. Wards can improve neighbourhood representation, but they can also encourage councillors to focus on individual areas rather than the interests of the city as a whole. I would have supported studying the options and their trade-offs before committing to a referendum. If change is warranted, I would also want a hybrid model considered, combining ward and at-large representation.

Editorial note: Written response retained as submitted; no binary Candidate Match score is inferred from this text.

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.

I wasn’t privy to all of the information Council had when making this decision, including any information discussed in-camera. I also didn’t have the opportunity to question staff, hear the complete rationale or request additional information. It would be irresponsible for me to say how I would have voted without having the same information available to Council. Good decisions require doing the homework first.

Editorial note: Written response retained as submitted; no binary Candidate Match score is inferred from this text.

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: For this tax year, the decision has already been made and it is too late to conduct the review I would want before setting the rate. Going forward, I support an independent review of City operations and spending to identify efficiencies before asking taxpayers for more. That doesn't mean assuming waste exists or promising arbitrary cuts. It means doing the work first, understanding where the money goes, finding efficiencies where possible, and then determining what, if any tax increase is actually necessary.

13. The City should help expand co-operative housing and community land trusts.

Conditional / Depends

Candidate’s explanation: I support exploring co-operative housing and community land trusts as part of a broader range of housing options. The level of City involvement would depend on the proposal, cost to taxpayers and demonstrated affordability it creates. I’m open to partnerships and innovative models, but they should be evaluated on measurable results and value rather than assuming any one housing model is the solution.

14. The City should strengthen protections for tenants displaced by redevelopment or renovations.

Conditional / Depends

Candidate’s explanation: I support reasonable protections for tenants who are displaced through redevelopment, but we need to be careful that the solution does not unintentionally discourage the replacement or creation of affordable rental housing. Tenant protections are primarily a provincial responsibility, while the City should focus on the tools within its authority. Any additional requirements should balance protecting displaced tenants with ensuring we continue to build the affordable rental housing Kelowna needs.

15. The City should allow more small shops and cafés within residential neighbourhoods.

Conditional / Depends

Candidate’s explanation: I support more opportunities for small neighbourhood shops and cafés where they fit the character and needs of the area. Complete communities should give people more opportunities to walk or cycle to everyday services. Location, parking, noise and impacts on neighbouring homes still need to be considered.

16. The City should advocate for a second bridge crossing of Okanagan Lake.

We should be planning for a future second crossing now. That means working with the Province to determine the best long-term route and timing, then ensuring our land-use planning, zoning and approvals preserve the ability to implement it. We should not repeat past mistakes by waiting until congestion reaches a crisis before protecting the infrastructure corridors we may eventually need.

Editorial note: Written response retained as submitted; no binary Candidate Match score is inferred from this text.

17. The City should invest in filling gaps in its sidewalk and cycling networks.

Conditional / Depends

Candidate’s explanation: I support filling important gaps in our sidewalk and cycling networks where doing so creates useful, connected routes. Investments should be prioritized based on safety, actual and anticipated demand, connectivity and value for taxpayers. A disconnected sidewalk or bike route isn't particularly useful, but neither is spending significant money on infrastructure simply to complete a network on a map. The goal should be practical transportation choices that people will actually use.

18. The City should expand foot patrols in commercial areas experiencing crime and disorder.

Conditional / Depends

Candidate’s explanation: Council does not direct day-to-day RCMP operations, but it does have an important role in setting community safety priorities and funding police resources. I would advocate for increased foot patrols in areas experiencing crime and disorder. Bylaw patrols can also play an important role, and their deployment should include late evenings and early mornings when many of these problems occur. Resources should be available when the problems are happening, not simply during traditional office hours.

19. The City should support expanded non-police response teams for suitable mental-health and substance-use calls.

Conditional / Depends

Candidate’s explanation: I support expanding appropriately trained non-police response teams for calls where there is no immediate threat to public safety. Mental-health and substance-use crises often require health expertise rather than enforcement. Police should remain available where there is a risk of violence or danger to the public. Getting the right responder to the right call can provide better help while allowing police to focus their resources where they are most needed.

20. The City should increase access to public washrooms.

Yes / Support

21. The City should prioritize protecting agricultural land when making land-use decisions.

Conditional / Depends

Candidate’s explanation: Agricultural land is an important and limited resource, but protection should be based on the actual agricultural value of the land. I support a comprehensive review to ensure we are strongly protecting fertile, productive farmland, while recognizing that not every parcel has the same agricultural potential. Good land-use policy should be based on evidence and outcomes, not simply protecting land for the sake of saying we protected it.

22. The City should strengthen protection for existing trees.

Conditional / Depends

Candidate’s explanation: I support protecting and expanding Kelowna’s urban tree canopy, particularly mature and significant trees. But good management also means planting the right trees in the right places. Species selection should consider our climate, wildfire risk, public safety, maintenance and how surrounding public spaces are used. Where trees need to be removed, appropriate replacement should help increase and improve our overall canopy.

23. The City should limit annual property-tax increases to inflation.

Conditional / Depends

Candidate’s explanation: Keeping tax increases as close to inflation as reasonably possible should be the goal. Before asking taxpayers for more, I support an independent review of City operations and spending to identify efficiencies and ensure we are getting value for the money we already spend. However, I would not support an arbitrary cap that prevents the City from responding to essential infrastructure, safety or service needs.

24. Mayor and council pay increases should take effect only after the next election.

Yes / Support

25. Would you support a ward system for Kelowna, where residents elect councillors to represent defined geographic areas?

Conditional / Depends

Candidate’s explanation: I do not support a pure ward system. Every councillor should be accountable to every resident of Kelowna, not primarily to one geographic area. A ward system risks encouraging councillors to compete for their neighbourhood rather than make decisions in the best interests of the city as a whole. If change is ultimately supported by residents, I would be open to considering a hybrid model that combines some ward representation with councillors elected at large.