JULIA FRASER — CANDIDATE QUESTIONNAIRE
OK, Let’s Vote — Kelowna’s 2026 Election Guide
Office: Kelowna City Council
Submitted: Sep 14, 2026 11:14 PM (Pacific time)
Reviewed and published September 15, 2026

Answers supplied by the candidate or authorized campaign representative and published with saved authorization. Private contact emails and upload links are excluded. Paragraph spacing follows the original submission table. Claims in answers are attributed statements, not independently audited results. Blank answers, scope selections and conditions do not establish support or opposition. Written Other answers are retained without a binary score. Answers about past motions are hypothetical, not recorded votes.

PROFILE AND PRIORITIES

1. Which office are you seeking, and where can voters find your campaign and public contact details?
Answer: Julia Fraser for City Council Website: JuliaFraser.com * Instagram – @frasercrew⁠ @Fraser crew * Facebook — Julia Fraser for City Council Julia Fraser for City Council * Facebook — Julia Fraser https://www.facebook.com/share/1FVv81ZshQ/?mibextid=wwXIfr * X – @FraserCrew⁠ https://x.com/frasercrew?s=11&t=2IPUPbiKCsCRLj2OAiUIMQ * LinkedIn – Julia Fraser⁠, https://www.linkedin.com/in/trusteejuliafraser

2. What experience would you bring to this role?
Answer: I would bring 15 years of proven governance experience as a locally elected School Trustee, including serving as Board Chair, Vice-Chair and Chair of every Board Committee numerous times each. That experience has prepared me well for the responsibilities of City Council. I have been directly involved in strategic planning, policy review and creation, financial oversight, capital planning, public consultation and long-term organizational planning. As Chair of Finance and Planning, I have extensive experience reviewing detailed financial documents, budgets, forecasts and funding assumptions. I understand the importance of asking questions, challenging assumptions, identifying priorities and considering both the immediate and long-term financial implications of decisions. Our Board oversees a nearly $400-million annual budget, approximately 4,500 employees, 25,600 students and about 50 schools. I also bring significant capital planning experience. Our Board must plan years ahead for new schools, additions, renovations, land acquisition and other infrastructure while responding to rapid community growth and limited resources. That experience is directly relevant to the challenges facing Kelowna as we plan for roads, transportation, recreation facilities, parks and other infrastructure required by a growing city. Good governance also requires good policy. I have extensive experience developing, reviewing and modernizing policies that establish accountability, clearly define roles and responsibilities, delegate authority appropriately and provide a framework for transparent decision-making. Another important part of my role has been advocacy to the Provincial Government. I have advocated directly with the Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Education and Child Care, and Ministry of Infrastructure for adequate operating funding, capital investment, new schools and infrastructure to meet the needs of our growing community. I UBC education with a focus in Economics and bring 30 years of business-to-business sales experience, including 15 years as a Regional Sales Manager for a locally owned hotel company promoting Kelowna. For 15 years, I have been accountable to the public for the decisions I make. I know how to read the reports, ask difficult questions, listen to different perspectives, work collaboratively and make decisions based on evidence and the long-term interests of the community. City Council is fundamentally about governance…and governance is not new to me. I would bring proven experience in governance, financial oversight, strategic and capital planning, policy development, advocacy and public accountability to the Council table from day one.

3. What are your top three priorities, and one practical action for each?
Answer: 1. Accountability & Good Governance Priority: Strengthen accountability, transparency and public confidence in City Council. Practical action: Introduce an annual Council governance self-assessment that evaluates how effectively the Mayor and Council are functioning as a governing body - including decision-making, adherence to roles and responsibilities, strategic priorities, public engagement and accountability. The results should identify areas for improvement and help Council continuously strengthen how it serves residents. Accountability also means being willing to course correct long before an election. Council should regularly review its progress, listen to residents, assess whether its decisions are achieving the intended results and make adjustments when something is not working. Waiting until an election to respond to concerns is not good governance; ongoing reflection and course correction are essential to maintaining public trust. 2. Responsible Growth & Infrastructure Priority: Make sure Kelowna’s infrastructure keeps pace with growth. Practical action: Advocate for stronger integrated long-term capital planning, so decisions about housing and development are considered alongside roads, transportation, water, utilities, parks, recreation facilities, schools and other community infrastructure. I would also support stronger coordination between the City, School District and other public agencies so major projects are planned together rather than in isolation. Kelowna will continue to grow. The question is whether we manage that growth responsibly and ensure the infrastructure residents depend on keeps pace. 3. Fiscal Responsibility & Affordability Priority: Protect taxpayers while maintaining the services that make Kelowna a great place to live. Practical action: Bring greater scrutiny to the annual City budget by reviewing program costs, financial assumptions, capital priorities and long-term operating costs before approving new spending. I would ask a simple question: Are residents receiving good value for every tax dollar we spend? My 15 years as an elected School Trustee - including my experience as Chair of Finance and Planning, reviewing budgets and financial reports and participating in long-term capital planning - have taught me that fiscal responsibility isn’t simply about cutting. It’s about setting priorities, finding efficiencies and making sustainable decisions.

4. How would you keep your decisions transparent and remain accountable to residents?
Answer: Transparency and accountability are fundamental to good governance. Residents deserve to know what decisions are being made, why they are being made, and how their tax dollars are being used. As a Councillor, I will come prepared, ask questions publicly, explain my decisions and remain accessible to residents. I also support regular Council self-assessments to ensure we are meeting our responsibilities and strategic priorities. After 15 years as an elected School Trustee, I understand that accountability means being prepared to stand behind your voting record. Residents may not always agree with my decisions, but they will know where I stand and why. For me, transparency means showing your work, and accountability means answering for it.

5. Are there any affiliations or interests relevant to your candidacy that you want voters to know about?
Answer: I am an independent candidate and am not beholden to any political party, developer, real estate company, business interest, or other candidate. My most significant public affiliation is my 15 years of service as an elected School Trustee with Central Okanagan Public Schools, where I have served as Board Chair, Vice-Chair and am the current Chair of Finance & Planning. I also have strong connections throughout our community through my years of public service, community volunteering, local business experience and work with community organizations, provincial ministries and Indigenous partners. My interest is straightforward: putting the residents of Kelowna first. I will consider each issue on its merits, listen to different perspectives, and make decisions based on what I believe is in the best long-term interests of our community.

6. What else would you like added or corrected on your website profile?
Answer: Voters should know that I believe advocacy is an important part of good governance - and I have a strong record of advocating and achieving results. Throughout my years as a School Trustee, I have made a point of meeting directly with the Ministry of Education and Child Care at BCSTA AGMs and Academies to ensure our District’s priorities remain top of mind. I have also brought forward numerous advocacy motions that were supported by our Board and subsequently adopted by school boards across B.C. through BCSTA. One example was my motion calling on the Province to increase the Annual Facilities Grant. Following my advocacy, our District received increased funding. The motion that I put forward and was unanimously carried by all 60 schools boards;: “That the BCSTA advocate to the Ministry of Finance to increase the Ministry of Education and Child Care's Annual Facilities Grant so school districts may address the accumulating costs of deferred maintenance in order to improve accessibility, ensure student safety, enhance learning environments, extend facility lifespan, and support long-term fiscal responsibility.” Effective advocacy takes preparation, persistence, relationships and the ability to build support. If elected, I will bring that same approach to City Hall - advocating with other levels of government to ensure Kelowna receives the funding and support our growing community needs.

QUICK POSITIONS

1. The City should shorten and simplify the process for approving new homes.
Answer: Conditional / Depends
Candidate explanation: Does the new home fit the character of the neighborhood.

2. The City should reduce development cost charges on new housing.
Answer: 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.
Answer: 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.
Answer: Yes / Support

5. Infrastructure and service capacity should be ready before major additional growth is approved.
Answer: Yes / Support

6. The City should advocate for expanded involuntary addiction-treatment capacity.
Answer: 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.
Answer: Yes / Support

8. The City should carry out additional spending audits or operational reviews.
Answer: Yes / Support

9. The City should make individual councillors’ voting records easier to find and search.
Answer: 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.
Answer: Conditional / Depends
Candidate 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.
Answer: Conditional / Depends
Candidate 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.
Answer: Conditional / Depends
Candidate 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.
Answer: Yes / Support

14. The City should strengthen protections for tenants displaced by redevelopment or renovations.
Answer: Yes / Support

15. The City should allow more small shops and cafés within residential neighbourhoods.
Answer: Conditional / Depends
Candidate 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.
Answer: Yes / Support

17. The City should invest in filling gaps in its sidewalk and cycling networks.
Answer: Yes / Support

18. The City should expand foot patrols in commercial areas experiencing crime and disorder.
Answer: Yes / Support

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

20. The City should increase access to public washrooms.
Answer: Yes / Support

21. The City should prioritize protecting agricultural land when making land-use decisions.
Answer: Yes / Support

22. The City should strengthen protection for existing trees.
Answer: Yes / Support

23. The City should limit annual property-tax increases to inflation.
Answer: Conditional / Depends
Candidate 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.
Answer: Conditional / Depends
Candidate 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?
Answer: 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.

AFFORDABILITY

Which actions would you prioritize to make housing more affordable in Kelowna?
Answer: Protect existing rental housing and tenants, Speed up and simplify housing approvals, Allow more housing in areas with infrastructure and services, Reduce development fees, with a plan to fund infrastructure, Partner on non-market, co-op and affordable rental housing

Beyond housing, which actions would you prioritize to make everyday life more affordable in Kelowna?
Answer: Review municipal spending to limit taxes and fees, Expand affordable public transit, Partner to improve access to affordable childcare, Support local jobs and business opportunities, Plan walkable neighbourhoods close to daily needs, I am cautious about broadly reducing recreation fees because that can shift costs to property taxpayers; targeted affordability programs are a better fit.

Editorial note: Choices and written Other responses are retained in the submitted order. The form requested up to three choices but allowed more. Conditions in the answers still apply.

SUPPORTING MATERIAL

Eight uploaded images reviewed. They show childcare-funding advocacy, a BCSTA motion marked carried, and a list of submitted motions. This supports describing her submitted advocacy material; it does not independently verify that her advocacy caused a funding increase or that every claim in the response is accurate. An iCloud photo-sharing link was supplied but was not reviewed or republished.

PUBLICATION AUTHORIZATION

The saved response authorizes OK, Let’s Vote / Gain Street to review and publish these answers with attribution, confirms permission to share supporting material, and states that the private contact email will not be published.