Kelowna Councillor Challenges Mayor Over Regional Board Exclusion
Councillor Gord Lovegrove challenged Mayor Tom Dyas after being excluded from the Regional District of the Central Okanagan board despite receiving the most municipal election votes.
Kelowna City Councillor Gord Lovegrove publicly challenged Mayor Tom Dyas during a council meeting on November 9, 2026, after being excluded from appointments to the Regional District of the Central Okanagan (RDCO) board. Lovegrove argued that tradition dictates the candidate with the highest number of votes be appointed to the board, noting he received 15,466 votes in the 2026 municipal election.
Lovegrove cited his professional experience in climate resilience, public safety, and transportation as qualifications for the role. Mayor Dyas defended the selection process, stating he aimed for a fair balance across various committees. Dyas noted that Lovegrove was recommended for three other city committees instead of the regional board.
In response to the exclusion, Lovegrove announced he will introduce a notice of motion. This motion requests that city staff study and report on RDCO appointment processes to ensure future councils maintain transparency and inclusive representation.
