Kevin Aaron Kraft

Kelowna council forum #2 at Revelry

Castanet and Revelry, with ForChange Kelowna · Sept. 24, 2026 · Full video of this forum on YouTube (opens in a new tab)

1. Opening statement

   Let's talk crime and safety quickly. It's not something we can just throw a Hail Mary towards a solution. It's going to take teamwork, dedication and collaboration with local governments

2. Opening statement

   Now, transit and traffic. I believe we have infrastructure in Kelowna that can accommodate higher volumes if we use our infrastructure efficiently, reducing redundant commercial access onto roadways, advanced turns, advanced greens, synchronized lights through the main corridor, as well as considering the Abbott Street bridge intersection.

3. If you were to tackle one issue, what would it be and how will you pay for it?

   I believe that the province and their taking away of FireSmart funding was short-sighted [...] the community, property owners and the city itself need to do a better job at acknowledging the issue that we all face year to year and being more prepared and proactive for emergency response.

4. What grade would you give the last four years of work, and why?

   I definitely give the existing council a C+, a solid C+. [...] And I see Kelowna now and we treat it like a destination. We treat it like a tourism destination, a destination for sporting events and venues and things like that. And flashes of economic success are great. But a true diverse economic portfolio is what we need to focus on moving forward

5. A position you hold that may be unpopular with some voters but you believe is necessary

   Well, I believe we need a council and a team in place that is prepared to say no to the provincial government when it comes to funding or enabling the current issues we're all facing. That may not be popular with many people and if we lose provincial money and funding, [...] we need a council that's in place to stand firm on these issues and move the needle on these issues. And that might not be popular with everyone, but I also believe that the detention centre in Oliver shouldn't be transitioned into involuntary care. We need involuntary care closer to home and the institution in Oliver needs to be for criminals.

6. Question from Humberto Morales about supporting seniors and children

   So I serve on the Kelowna Minor Football Association, I coach U12 football, and I'm a huge advocate for child and youth sport and programming and athletics.

7. Question from Humberto Morales about supporting seniors and children

   So I'm very in favor of supporting children and youth in that regard and I'm involved in it now and will continue to be involved in it in the future.

8. How could you support small business and cut red tape?

   Mixed use development, commercial, residential, town home. Opening up different spaces, smaller spaces and the appropriate spaces for businesses to thrive