Kelowna Mayor Tom Dyas says his city fully supports the federal government’s intention to introduce bail reform legislation this fall.
In a letter sent to Sean Fraser, Canada's minister of justice and attorney general, Dyas wrote that businesses and visitors are “frustrated by repeated and escalating crime” that can be pinned on chronic offenders.
It was highlighted recently in a damning survey by Business Improvement Areas of BC, which represents 55,000 businesses in 80 downtowns, main streets and commercial districts throughout the province.
According to Dyas, 15 repeat offenders in Kelowna were responsible for 1,335 police files in 2024.
The Kelowna mayor added that one individual accumulated 223 founded files between 2021-25. That person has failed to comply with conditions 31 times and failed to appear in court 32 times.
“Many offences happened shortly after release, indicating quick reoffending under bail conditions,” Dyas stated in the letter to Fraser.
The mayor highlighted the significant investment Kelowna has made on this issue, but noted that residents and businesses “remain vulnerable to chronic offenders who cycle through the justice system with little consequence.”
On behalf of the city, Dyas requested that bail reform legislation expected to be tabled this fall include the following provisions:
In an interview with NowMedia video host Jim Csek this week, Vancouver-Yaletown MLA Terry Yung, BC’s minister of state for community safety and integrated services, said he personally supports Dyas’ plea to the feds.
He noted that BC’s NDP government is advocating for the same changes through Premier David Eby and Attorney General Nikki Sharma.
“We actually want to make sure that the bail reform acts are reflective of current needs and the needs of our communities,” Yung explained.
“We need to protect the general public from repeat offenders, even while they're being charged and awaiting dispositions. We cannot afford to have the same offenders out there at large committing the same offenses while they are awaiting court decisions.”
Before being elected as an MLA last fall, Yung was a 30-year veteran of the Vancouver Police Department and saw a lot of these issues first hand before shifting to politics.
He spoke highly of BC’s new Community Safety and Targeted Enforcement Program (C-STEP), introduced in the spring with a $5-million budget to address street disorder and non-violent offences.
According to Yung, over $270,000 in C-STEP funding has been dedicated to Kelowna RCMP enforcement programs alone.
“We’re working directly with Kelowna’s business leaders and police to restore safety and confidence in your downtown,” he claimed. “You deserve a safe, vibrant community to do business, and we are committed to making that happen and making changes that are needed.”
Yung also pointed to Terrace as an example of where the province is seeing change because of C-STEP, revealing that 79 arrests were attributed to the program last week.
The MLA also discussed accountability, both between party lines and with British Columbians, and said he supports public access to crime stats and whistleblower policies to safeguard public interest.
“The government cannot just operate on our own accord,” Yung said. “We need feedback."
Adjustments to BC’s decriminalization policies show evidence of that, with Yung explaining that changes are made to make sure programs are effective and addressing core issues.
“If they’re not, then obviously you have to take a look at why they’re not working and what else we can do.”
You can watch the full interview with Yung on the NowMedia YouTube account by clicking this link.
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