Rick Webber

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

   Well, I would have to say this Kelowna council has done a very good job of trying to keep up with infrastructure. I think there was something like 12 major road projects we've launched in the last few years.

2. Opening statement

   Also we're looking at bringing in a lot of new industry into the airport area. We're looking at opening up the east lands

3. Opening statement

   The frustrating part for us has been crime. We employ the RCMP and the by-law and we've added 35 or so officers during the time I've been on council. But we could double it and it wouldn't matter if every time they arrested somebody, they get released an hour or two later. [...] The laws have to be changed

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

   So it isn't as safe a city as it was, and after four years on council, I can't claim that it's safer. [...] one of the first big decisions they're going to have to make, and it's coming down the road, will be the future of the RCMP, and whether we keep the RCMP, there's a study underway right now by staff, or switch to municipal force, which might be a little more directable by the citizens

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

   I wouldn't be inclined to give a grade to our own city council. It's like asking a student to grade themselves. I can't say that. I'm going to say we didn't fail, but I don't think we got an A plus either.

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

   we don't want to spend your property tax money building housing, but what we can do is provide the land. We can provide a free or cheap lease to the province, have the property all ready to go with services, and then have partnerships to get these housings built

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

   if they came to us with a proposal for new towers, especially in the downtown area, I would say yes, I think we need to do that. But there's a lot of people in Kelowna who don't want to see any more towers

8. Candidate question about his Kelowna Springs vote

   The solution we came up with of doing a half-swap land and keeping the golf course closest to the farms, and keeping a golf course, a city-owned municipal golf course in perpetuity [...] And it's kind of a Canadian compromise where no one's particularly happy with the result.

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

   the city is making a point of cutting red tape as best it can [...] But I see that there is a shortage of communication when it comes to actually the actual practical aspects of some of the projects we're doing.