Kelowna Mayor Tom Dyas has a lot on his agenda as he attends a Union of BC Municipalities (UBM) Housing Summit in Vancouver on Tuesday (Feb. 13).
He will be speaking to the UBCM about Bill 45.
The province introduced the legislation in November 2023 and if it becomes law it will apply to municipalities seeking court injunctions to remove or regulate homeless encampments.
ѻýThe concern we have in that area is not everybody who is in those encampments we can find housing for,ѻý Dyas added.
The UBCM has asked the province to withdraw the legislation.
READ MORE: New homeless camp Act may handcuff municipalities
The mayor will also speak about consistent and regular infrastructure funding in light of new provincial legislation regarding housing densification.
Kelowna received $26.1 million from the province and $31.5 million from the federal government last year to assist with infrastructure and growth.
ѻýWe need more of that consistent, regular infrastructure funding,ѻý Days explained. ѻýSimply so weѻýre able to say ѻýokay we know we have this amount of money next year, what project are we going to be able to deliver on.ѻýѻý
The mayor said knowing what funding is coming, rather than having to apply for grants, is a more efficient way to do business.
Dyas said he will also have an opportunity to sit down with Housing Minister Ravi Kahlon, when he visits Kelowna later this week to discuss councilѻýs concerns about short-term rental exemptions.
READ MORE: Kelownaѻýs mayor to press housing minister on short-term rental exemption