2024 Provincial Election
The Okanagan Transit Alliance and the Kelowna Area Cycling Coalition collaborated to ask Okanagan candidates about their stance on key transit issues. We received 5 responses, which we're sharing here.
Anna Warwick Sears - NDP - Kelowna-Lake Country-Coldstream
What ownership and funding model do you think is appropriate in your riding? Would you support a publicly-operated system, like in Nelson or Victoria? Would you support a Translink-style agency for the RDCO?
I see no problems with a public-ownership model, depending on how it is structured.
Whatever model we have, transit should be undertaken using an inter-regional
approach, as much of the traffic is between municipalities. I don’t really have views
specifically about Translink, but I like the model of municipalities working together.
How should public policy be used to influence transit mode choices (private vehicles, public transit, active transit)?
My understanding is that many mode-share choices are made at the local level, with
local budgets. The province is responsible for the design and maintenance of major
highways, which will influence what’s possible for carpool/transit lanes or active
transportation facilities. Funding is the other main tool for change at the provincial level,
making alternatives possible. Highway widening is extremely expensive, and impossible in many key locations in the valley. Ideally, costs saved by not building highways could to be used to build out transit (including BRT).
Do you believe there is the need to build rapid transit in the your riding in the next ten years? What should that look like? Has your party committed to that, and if not, how will you try to make that happen?
Rapid transit would be a good thing. It could drastically reduce the traffic on the
Okanagan’s main arteries, as well as reducing traffic injuries and deaths, and providing
greater equity to people who can’t, or choose not to, drive for whatever reason. Bus
Rapid Transit (BRT) would be a great way to start, as it could be put in place far faster
and at less expense than a train system. It could be zero-emission, using electric buses.
It would be especially valuable for inter-city transport, for example, between Kelowna
and Vernon, which would also provide a convenient way to access UBCO/Okanagan
College, and the Kelowna International Airport. People would be more willing and able to take transit if it is frequent, reliable, and the buses are well maintained, giving riders a sense of safety.
Transportation is the second largest expense for Canadian households after shelter. Describe you and your parties' plans to make public transit more affordable for residents in your riding?
Transportation is a huge expense for Canadians because most transport is by personal motor vehicles. Many Canadian cities sprawl out into the suburbs, exacerbating this
problem. In cities in other countries, seniors and youth often ride for free, and I am
inspired by the Kingston, ON model of allowing free transit for riders up to age 21 –
which helps build a life-long habit of transit ridership. I understand that there is an active
debate among transit advocates as to whether it should be universally free to all, or if
those who are able pay fares. As a working adult, I would rather pay something and
have the transit be frequent and reliable (and safe). Without frequency and reliability, we
can’t build up ridership.
How have you advocated for active transportation in the past?
I am an enthusiastic ‘go-by-bike’ commuter, and use a bicycle as my primary form of
transportation around Kelowna. I am acutely aware of the need for safe active
transportation corridors so that children and other vulnerable members of society can
also safely walk, ride or wheel around town. Many people who are not able to drive – for
different reasons – are often able to get around by active transportation if there are safe places to do so. As Executive Director of the Okanagan Basin Water Board, I instituted
a policy to pay ‘mileage’ for staff members who ride their bicycles to meetings in town,
rather than drive. I always try to take part in consultation opportunities for things like the
City of Kelowna’s Transportation Master Plan, as well as opportunities to ‘have your say’
on the design of specific active transportation facilities around town. Other than these,
most of my advocacy has been personal, encouraging friends and colleagues and
boosting active transportation information on social media.
Amelia Boultbee - Conservative - Penticton Summerland
What ownership and funding model do you think is appropriate in your riding? Would you support a publicly-operated system, like in Nelson or Victoria? Would you support a Translink-style agency for the RDCO?
I support a blend of public private partnership
How should public policy be used to influence transit mode choices (private vehicles, public transit, active transit)?
Incentivize rather than penalize, ensure there is a balance between advancing greener modes of transportation with community support.
Do you believe there is the need to build rapid transit in the your riding in the next ten years? What should that look like? Has your party committed to that, and if not, how will you try to make that happen?
No, our population and geography would not support rapid transit in the next 10 years, but maybe the next 20 years depending on population growth.
Transportation is the second largest expense for Canadian households after shelter. Describe you and your parties' plans to make public transit more affordable for residents in your riding?
We are incentivizing building communities near transit hubs. I will personally advocate for further provincial investment in buses, especially bus routes and low bus fares similar to the position I took on city council.
How have you advocated for active transportation in the past?
As a city councillor , I was an advocate for free transit for youth in our community and at the provincial level, I would like to see further investment. In addition, I was one of the councillors who was instrumental in keeping a very important bus stop open that was set to be closed.
Loyal Woolridge - BC NDP - Kelowna Center
What ownership and funding model do you think is appropriate in your riding? Would you support a publicly-operated system, like in Nelson or Victoria? Would you support a Translink-style agency for the RDCO?
We need more representation for the local needs of transit service. As larger municipalities grow (like Kelowna) so does the need for higher degrees of capital and operating investment.. There is a requirement that local governments carry a balanced budget, so careful consideration must be taken to ensure they do not carry the financial burden of owning a transit system that relies on provincial and federal funding to offset local taxation.
As a local government leader, I understand the hesitation for regional districts to assume responsibility for a service that is offset by provincial and federal funds. We absolutely need more governance influence around the table about service levels, union contracts, capital expansion plans, and local needs - with a sound business model.
As witnessed with Translink’s current deficits, a fulsome review of a sustainable financial model for delivery is needed to fully understand how to deliver higher levels of service with a rapidly increasing population. We need to view transit, with increased rapid service, as a true alternate means of transportation in the same way roads have traditionally been viewed.
How should public policy be used to influence transit mode choices (private vehicles, public transit, active transit)?
Encouraging multi-modes of transportation from a land use perspective, affordability, and climate lens is crucial in meeting many of the goals we have in those areas for Kelowna. We know that our roads are at capacity and the best way to manage congestion is to offer alternate modes of transportation, active or transit.
Transportation contributes to the affordability crisis as one of the highest household costs and can be reduced with reliable, safe transit options. How we build our city influences the investment levels into transportation infrastructure which is why, the City of Kelowna Official Community Plan 2040 has prioritized development in Urban Centres for a future of connectivity of rapid transit.
It can not be understated that transportation also is the second highest GHG contributor. To take meaningful action on climate change we must prioritize mode shifts.
Active transportation networks continue to be built every year to ensure safe routes throughout the city. Realistically, in the winter months, transit will be the main choice for people once the system is built to deliver rapid transit.
Do you believe there is the need to build rapid transit in the your riding in the next ten years? What should that look like? Has your party committed to that, and if not, how will you try to make that happen?
Rapid transit is a crucial aspect to the transportation system in Kelowna. In order to manage the degree of population growth and development we need to build toward the vision immediately.
Improving transit service locally and in the region is one of my top advocacy priorities. I have been a vocal supporter of this plan around the Council table, as Chair of RDCO and directly to the Ministry of Transportation & Infrastructure alongside the Mayor.
The key aspect to delivering higher levels of transit service is a new transit facility for both maintenance, training, and storage. This is planned and land is acquired by UBCO with capacity for upwards of ~300-500 buses incorporating alternative fuel options as well.
In partnership with the City of Kelowna, all new infrastructure should be built to a standard that incorporates all modes of transportation: private, transit, and active. This will create future flexibility in transportation delivery as we see trends in modes shift. For example, roads can be built to a standard to include a rapid transit lane once more buses are available.
Transportation is the second largest expense for Canadian households after shelter. Describe you and your parties' plans to make public transit more affordable for residents in your riding?
As previously noted, I firmly believe that alternate modes of transportation (transit and active) need to be prioritized the same way that roads have been historically. We know that reducing household costs means investing into public infrastructure (ie. transit and active transportation networks) to improve the reliability, safety and frequency of how people get around.
In partnership with the provincial government, free transit for youth has been created and expanding the program to 18 and under would be a fantastic next step. By providing alternate and frequent transit service to young people, the likelihood of them choosing that mode in the future increases.
How have you advocated for active transportation in the past?
Since joining Council in 2018, I have been a vocal advocate for investing equitably into active transportation and transit. While there is more work to be done, we have seen active transportation networks prioritized throughout the city in the last 6 years connecting the urban centers of the Official Community Plan 2040. Further, I have ensured that this priority has been embedded in our grant application strategies to seek funding from the provincial and federal government to offset the level of local taxation while expediting the projects that are in the plan.
On a smaller scale, during my tenure, I participated in creating our bike valet service, micro-mobility pilot project that became permanent program. I have challenged city staff to adjust the standard in which we build an active transportation network to create safe routes at a lower cost.
From a policy perspective during my work on Council, we created Kelowna’s boldest move in the Official Community Plan 2040. The OCP has seen a transition when it comes to where housing is built, the type (i.e. single family to multi), and a massive influx of rental buildings constructed on transit oriented corridors.
Dr Roger Harrington - Independent - Penticton Summerland
What ownership and funding model do you think is appropriate in your riding? Would you support a publicly-operated system, like in Nelson or Victoria? Would you support a Translink-style agency for the RDCO?
I don’t know.
How should public policy be used to influence transit mode choices (private vehicles, public transit, active transit)?
At this point, for this area, I think private vehicles are still the best choice.
Do you believe there is the need to build rapid transit in the your riding in the next ten years? What should that look like? Has your party committed to that, and if not, how will you try to make that happen?
This would be a direct question to the constituency best settled by referendum
Transportation is the second largest expense for Canadian households after shelter. Describe you and your parties' plans to make public transit more affordable for residents in your riding?
Given the onerous tax burden, I have no idea how one can raise public funds for such a project
How have you advocated for active transportation in the past?
N/A.
Tracy St Clair - Independent - Penticton-Summerland-Naramata
What ownership and funding model do you think is appropriate in your riding? Would you support a publicly-operated system, like in Nelson or Victoria? Would you support a Translink-style agency for the RDCO?
I would support a public-operated model in the Okanagan Similkameen with governance from each community, including regional district representation. I would retain our BC Transit system based out of Penticton but increase routes and frequency between Penticton and Summerland, Naramata, West Bench, and Kaleden.
How should public policy be used to influence transit mode choices (private vehicles, public transit, active transit)?
Penticton’s transit options are slowly growing but need help to increase ridership. I would suggest increasing the frequency of already existing transit routes, especially in lower income areas. The idea of a small percentage of ICBC revenue to be used as public transit subsidy may be worth exploring.
Do you believe there is the need to build rapid transit in the your riding in the next ten years? What should that look like? Has your party committed to that, and if not, how will you try to make that happen?
No. We don’t have the rider volume nor the population density to justify rapid transit. But we could look at using smaller transit vehicles with more frequent trips.
Transportation is the second largest expense for Canadian households after shelter. Describe you and your parties' plans to make public transit more affordable for residents in your riding?
I have long been an advocate for accessible, affordable public transportation. As senior staff for United Way in the South Okanagan from 2009 to 2012, I was invited to actively participate in BC Transit’s review of public transportation for our area. And I have had similar input since then in my role as Executive Director of the South Okanagan Similkameen Division of Family Practice. Both organizations have a mandate to advocate for the interest of all residents of our area, including vulnerable people who often face socio-economic challenges that impact their wellbeing and quality of life. My role in relation to transportation planning has been to advocate for those voices that are not as front-and-centre at decision-making tables. I would continue to advocate for those voices should I have the honour of become our next MLA.
How have you advocated for active transportation in the past?
In addition to my involvement with BC Transit reviews as above, I was Vice Chair of the City of Penticton’s Transportation Committee in 2009 and 2010. That committee included the transit operator for the area, city staff and a number of interested residents of our area.
And, between 2010 and 2011 I was the project manager for one of the first Better at Home pilot projects in BC, based out of Osoyoos BC. We were asked to explore the best ways to support seniors to live longer with a higher quality of life in their own homes. After surveying and talking to a hundreds of seniors in Osoyoos, our committee determined that the best way to support seniors living at home in Osoyoos was to organize a free shuttle service for seniors. The initiative, implemented in 2012, became known as CASI Osoyoos and we were able to secure $75,000 for a small van that was driven by a roster of volunteers to transport seniors to appointments and social events in the community. This helped seniors to access healthcare services and reduce isolation, which were the biggest problems they collectively faced. That program is still running to my knowledge and has expanded to other areas of the province.