Tell us a bit about yourself and why you are running in this election.

I’m Kevin Kraft, a local government leader, farmer, educator, coach, and community volunteer, and I’m running for Kelowna City Council because I believe I can contribute from day one.

I was raised in Rutland and graduated from Rutland Senior Secondary. Today, my wife Kendra and I are raising our three young children in Kelowna. This community has given me opportunities, relationships, and the foundation to build a family, a career, and a business. I want to give back by helping shape the future of the city we call home.

Since 2022, I have served as the elected RDCO Electoral Area Director for East, currently chairing the Electoral Area Services Committee and previously serving as Vice Chair of the Regional Board. That experience has given me a practical understanding of local government, including budgets, land-use planning, water management, agriculture, emergency preparedness, and working with residents, staff, elected officials, and senior governments.

My professional and community experience also includes agriculture and land-use consulting, education, coaching, business, and eight years as a regional volunteer firefighter. I’ve spent much of my life contributing to teams, organizations, and community initiatives.

I’m running because Kelowna is growing quickly, and I believe that growth needs thoughtful planning, responsible spending, and strong local leadership. My priorities include community safety, responsible growth, housing options, transportation, water security, agricultural land, recreation and opportunities for children and youth.

I will bring experience, relationships, a young-family perspective and a practical approach to the council table. Most importantly, I’ll listen, work collaboratively, and focus on getting things right for Kelowna’s future

If you feel comfortable sharing, what is your faith background, religious tradition, or philosophical worldview, for example: Christian, Sikh, Muslim, Jewish, secular, or another worldview?

No Response

How do your personal values shape your leadership, and what are those values?

My leadership is grounded in integrity, accountability, hard work, and service. I believe leadership means being willing to listen, ask difficult questions, make informed decisions, and stand behind those decisions. Family values, traditions, and community, while trying to bring others up, are values I also cherish.

Growing up, I learned the importance of showing up, contributing to your community, and treating people with respect. My experiences in local government, agriculture, education, coaching, and emergency services have reinforced those values and taught me the importance of teamwork and preparation.

I value fiscal responsibility and believe taxpayers deserve thoughtful decisions and clear accountability. I also believe good leadership requires collaboration, even when people disagree. My approach is practical and solutions-focused: understand the issue, listen to the people affected, consider the long-term impacts, and work toward a decision that serves the broader community.

How would you balance your personal beliefs with your responsibility to represent all Kelowna residents?

My personal beliefs provide a foundation for how I approach issues, but being elected means representing all Kelowna residents, not just those who agree with me. I believe my responsibility is to listen, understand different perspectives, and make decisions based on evidence, community needs, and the long-term interests of Kelowna.

I won’t agree with everyone, and I don’t think effective leadership requires that. It requires being accessible, respectful, and willing to have difficult conversations. I will consider the impacts of decisions on families, businesses, taxpayers, seniors, youth, and our broader community, and work collaboratively to find practical solutions that serve Kelowna as a whole.

How would you like to see city spending prioritized?

I’d prioritize spending that improves everyday quality of life while making the best use of the infrastructure we already have. My priorities would be improving traffic planning and flow within our existing transportation network, investing in recreational facilities and programming for children and youth—both sport and non-sport—and strengthening water management. I would also support practical investments that help farmers improve water efficiency and adapt to changing water availability.

We also need adequate RCMP officers and bylaw enforcement capacity to enforce the laws and bylaws we already have. There is little value in establishing rules if we don’t have the resources to consistently enforce them. Overall, spending should focus on core services, maintaining what we have, improving efficiency, and providing clear value to taxpayers.

What role, if any, do you think City Council should have in setting standards for materials and programming available to minors in city-funded facilities and public libraries?

City Council has a limited but important role in setting standards for materials and programming in city-funded facilities and public libraries. The City has a responsibility to ensure public spaces are safe, accessible, and welcoming to all residents, including children and families. However, Council should respect the professional expertise of librarians, educators, program staff and established governance processes. Because these facilities serve a diverse community, decisions should not be driven by the personal beliefs of individual councilors. Clear, transparent policies should guide programming and materials, with appropriate consideration for age, accessibility, and community standards, while respecting the rights and responsibilities of parents and families.

What role do you believe parental consent and notification should play when a minor makes personal disclosures or requests support from a school counsellor, and what exceptions, if any, should apply?

Parents should be fully involved in the lives and important decisions affecting their children. It is their family, their responsibility, and their journey together. Where a minor makes a personal disclosure or requests support from a school counsellor, parents should generally be informed and involved wherever appropriate.

There may be limited exceptions where professional or legal obligations require confidentiality, particularly where there are reasonable concerns about a child’s immediate safety or risk of harm. In those circumstances, appropriate professionals should follow established safeguarding procedures. My preference is for schools and parents to work together openly, with the child’s wellbeing at the centre of the conversation.

What steps would you like to see taken to increase transparency and accountability at City Hall?

I would like to see stronger transparency around how decisions are made and how taxpayer dollars are spent. Where appropriate and permitted, Council should rise and report following closed meetings so residents understand what decisions were made. Proposed projects should clearly outline costs, funding sources, long-term financial commitments and impacts on taxpayers before major decisions are made. I would also support a clear policy outlining Council’s roles, responsibilities, and functions, helping distinguish Council’s governance role from staff operations. Accountability comes from clear expectations, open information, and responsible financial decisions that residents can understand and trust.

What public safety issues are you seeing in Kelowna, and how do you believe these issues should be addressed?

Crime, safety, and addiction are our top issues — no question. But local government can't Hail Mary a solution and hope it works. What we're seeing now is the tip of the iceberg. Proactive measures for our youth, real support for RCMP and Bylaw, and pushing back on inadequate provincial policy while working with local partners — that's where local government can have real impact.

What do you think can be done locally to bring down the cost of housing?

Locally, we need to normalize smaller, attainable starter homes in our planning and make it easier for families and people looking to put down roots to find suitable housing. That means supporting a broader mix of housing types while respecting neighbourhood character. We also need to have direct conversations with local builders and contractors to understand which City requirements, fees, delays, and other local factors are specifically adding to construction costs. From there, Council can identify practical ways to reduce or mitigate those costs without compromising safety or quality. More housing options, a better understanding of local costs and thoughtful planning can help make homeownership more attainable.

What policies would you support to help stimulate Kelowna’s job market?

I come from a family with deep roots in Kelowna’s industrial sector. My family operated a cedar mill in town, and both of my parents worked for Western Star before the operation was sold and eventually closed. That experience showed me the importance of having a diversified local economy. I would support policies that make it easier for businesses to start, grow, and invest in Kelowna, while reducing unnecessary local barriers and delays. We should not rely solely on tourism and development. Supporting agriculture, manufacturing, technology, professional services, small business, and other sectors can create more stable opportunities for local families and strengthen Kelowna’s economic resilience.

What ideas do you have to better balance infrastructure and city growth?

I’d focus on making sure infrastructure planning keeps pace with growth and reflects how people actually move through Kelowna. We cannot continue building in ways that create parking and traffic problems while assuming our existing transportation network will simply absorb more demand. We need better traffic planning and more efficient use of the infrastructure we already have. At the same time, water management and agricultural infrastructure need to be central to our growth planning. Agriculture is a significant part of our local economy and landscape, and reliable water is essential to its future. Growth needs to be thoughtful, coordinated, and supported by infrastructure that serves residents today and tomorrow.