Kari Statham

2026 Election Candidate

Environmental

A core principle of Vernon's Official Community Plan is to prevent sprawl and limit growth to within the urban containment boundary.

a) Under what conditions do you think Council should make an exception to this core principle?

b) Please give local examples of existing 'good' and 'not good' building development in Vernon, and explain why.

A)Holding developers accountable to permanently protect ecologically sensitive land inside the boundary in exchange for developing less sensitive land just outside of it, amd it would have to be a last option, there would need to be studies, and strong partnerships.

B) Turtle Mountain shows some good examples of wildlife corridors, walking trails, connections to Grey Canel, and native plants. A not good example would be the foothills, it was prior to the implementation of the UCB, however poor planning on drainage, adjacent farm land was affected, it is car dependent, and the wildfire risk.

Vernon has a Climate Action Plan (CAP) that aims to reduce GHG emissions in transportation, buildings and waste, and prepare for climate impacts like wildfires, heat domes, floods, severe weather events.

a) What aspects of this plan are most important and urgent and how will you ensure implementation?

b) The CAP will undergo a review process in 2027. What would you like to see in a revised CAP?

A) I would like to see more support for retrofit assist. With the heating and cooling of homes being the 2nd largest emissions, and with continued heat domes, and extreme cold stretches in the winter, this will only continue to get worse. I would ensure an easy step by step for community members to get the information to grants and knowledge needed to start these changes.

B) I would like to see the partnership between the city and BC Hydro to upgrade substations and transformers, to ensure we prepare for the grid capacity we will need in the future.

Do you support the use of public funds to contribute to acquiring natural lands for environmental conservation purposes? Under what conditions would the perceived need for more housing, businesses, roads and other infrastructure prompt you to trade away natural lands with high ecological value for urban expansion?

Yes, Using public funds ensures that future generations retain access to our green spaces, and as I stated above, the only time I would consider, would be if there was a strong partnership in maintaining a large portion of the natural land, as well as only after proper studies have been submitted, and public hearing.

Our water reservoirs are at critically low levels. No longer can we count on having the water resources we enjoyed even a few years ago. Drought, contamination, increasing demand are just some of the water issues. What actions would you prioritise to protect our creeks, lakes, aquifers, and groundwater for home and agricultural water sources, habitat for fish and wildlife, and human recreation?

We need to continue to look at permanent use and growth of re-claimed water for our agriculture land, anything we do with water is going to need capital funding, however we can not continue to hope this problem will go away, we need to invest now for our future. Looking at a future bylaw for all new developments to have water friendly yards. Implement low wake zones for recreation boating near shore lines, this can also support the healthy growth of fish eggs embedded near shorelines.

Social

What personal and/or professional experience has most shaped your understanding of Truth and Reconciliation, and how would it influence your decisions as a municipal elected official?

Living here all my life, I have a high level of respect for the OKIB, I have worked with, gone to school with, church with many members, I truly see the need for more of a partnership , I think the Bradley fire really brought that to light. I would like to see a meeting schedule between Vernon's elected officials and OKIB Leadership happen more frequently.

What is one action the municipality should take to strengthen our local food system and improve access to healthy, affordable food? Why that action?

Access to community gardens, if we are looking at in-fill, we need to provide some for people that do not have access to a yard. Protecting ALR through OCP. Tax breaks and incentives for all year farmer’s markets

What is one specific change you would make to better support local non-profits, and do you have personal experience (e.g. volunteer, board member, staff, and/or passion for a specific issue) that informs that action? Please include one brief example.

From what I’ve heard over this last year from many nonprofits is the political redtape often when applying for grants or needing support from the city of Vernon there is just too many multiple steps. This takes a lot of time and in some cases payroll and in many of these cases, people are volunteers and their time can be used towards much better outcome. I would like to see council look at streamlining to better support non profit. And yes, I have been involved with the winter carnival as well as this year. I am doing dancing with the stars so have had a lot of opportunity to really see how much funding and support is needed.

Should the municipality continue to secure and provide land for affordable housing projects? Why or why not? If yes, how would you handle any neighbourhood concerns brought forward to Council?

I believe there is an argument for yes, if Vernon steps in and can provide land, there is a strong case for provincial and federal support that are currently being given to other cities

Cultural

Vernon does not have a dedicated public art policy to guide how public art is selected, funded, maintained, or removed, while regional cultural direction sits with the RDNO through the Greater Vernon Cultural Plan. Do you support developing a public art policy for Vernon, and how would you coordinate the City's role with the Plan?

It may be worth looking at re-implementing something similar to the PAAC. It would save money as city employ would not being doing the leg work on the cases, as well as it would be more neutral and remove political friction

With more than 75 arts and culture groups active in the region, how would you work to remove barriers and strengthen City partnerships so that public spaces and facilities are accessible and equipped for community programming and gatherings?

Implement a single window booking desk, again people want ease and alignment, often money is saved by streamlining. The new cultural Hub will hopefully support the above and allow better accessibility.

Arts and culture help shape who we are as a community. As Vernon continues to grow, how do you see our identity changing, and what kinds of arts and culture initiatives would you support to strengthen that future?

The new cultural Hub will or should support this vision, however it will be up to the city to ensure it accessible, and is offering what the community is asking for.

Artists make up as much as 12% of the North Okanagan population and the sector generates over $126 million in direct economic activity and $46 million in GDP, how will you strengthen the role arts and culture play in our local economy, tourism, and community wellbeing?

Tourism is a key here, we need to deepen the partnership between arts and tourism. Working with many different interest groups. Possibly the use of tourism tax to support this initiative.

Economic

The business tax base is critical to the provision of services at the municipal level. How would you support business retention and expansion in the City of Vernon?

Providing dedicated fast-track stream for business license applications, commercial tenant improvements, and building permits, similar to the non profit, there may to much red tape, and businesses get frustrated and go elsewhere. It’s our job to make things easier not impossible.

Finding employees has consistently been identified as a top challenge by Vernon businesses in the City of Vernon Business Walks surveys. How should the City support businesses in meeting their workforce needs?

Although council does not directly involve themselves in supporting hiring needs, we need to look at the root causes, affordable housing, continue to look at programs like the immigration pilot, we can support and encourage partners like community futures and chamber of commerce and ask what they need from us.

What role does the City have with supporting growth-oriented sectors like manufacturing and agricultural processing?

Actively market the city as a commercial hub. Be open for business, meaning again streamlining, we can’t make things so difficult that businesses just go elsewhere, their time is money.

Considering the recent water and fire crisis, how should the City assist businesses to become more resilient to future risk?

When crisis hits, small business owners do not have time to navigate provincial or federal relief. The city's most effective action is to champion a program that is centralized. Continued education and communication prior to the crisis to make things easier when things do happen.

Health

As Mayor / Councilor, how would you work to attract and retain medical professionals in Vernon?

I believe because we are not classified as a rural community. We don’t get the funding and as much support from the research I’ve done we could lobby and push to have Vernon recognized as a crucial hub for medical.

If elected, what specific actions would you take within the authority of your municipal office to improve access to in-person mental health supports and services in our community, and how would you work with other levels of government to strengthen support for those services?

As the gatekeeper for where services can physically open. Council can update the City of Vernon Zoning Bylaw to make community health services are permitted

How will you ensure that our planning of our built environment, our programs and our policies are accessible, and support the physical and mental health needs of our population?

Forcing growth inward creates walkable neighborhood's where daily essentials, medical clinics, and grocery stores are within a short walk. This encourages active physical movement, reduces vehicle-emission , and creates natural public spaces that facilitate social interaction and support not having community isolation.

What would you do to support the physical and mental health of members of our community against the effects of climate change, especially those who are most vulnerable?

Partnerships, and folly with agencies that offer support in times of need. Be communicative, and available during crisis