Submitted questionnaire

Susan Ames

Retired environmental consultant/advocate

This is the candidate’s public questionnaire. It is not a ForChange recommendation. The committee’s recommended candidates are published on the Candidates page.

1. 01 · Why are you running for Kelowna City Council?

   I am running for Kelowna City Council because we need a councillor who has a strong environmental background, extensive work experience related to the environment, and a passion on how we develop Kelowna to be a sustainable, prosperous city. I have a PhD in Resource Management and Environmental Studies, an MSc in Soil Science, and a BSc in Biology. I have 30 years experience as an environmental consultant. The environmental aspect of each project is critically important.

   I also worked in the agricultural industry dealing with agricultural capability, watershed management, and land use issues. My background will be a unique and important addition to the range of talent at the council table.

   Understanding how the city works is a plus, reducing the learning curve. As president of my neighbourhood association and of the Abbott heritage society, I have advocated for the community which included reviewing the OCP, the former and new zoning bylaws, and the new provincial housing mandates. I have presented at numerous public hearings. I know the city zoning, regulations, policies, council practices, and community issues well.

2. 02 · Issue #1: the issue, the specific actions you would take, and how City Council can actually influence the outcome.

   Issue: Protection of Greenspace, Trees, Water Resources, and Agricultural Land.
   Our agricultural land, vital for present and future food security, is continually threatened by infill, rezoning, and other land uses. Our urban canopy and green spaces are being lost. Water resources are a major issue.

   We need to preserve our agricultural land, discourage the granting of reductions in property line setbacks that strip away tree coverage, strengthen Kelowna’s tree protection bylaws, and create policies that encourage tree retention on commercial and residential properties. Rather than rezoning for industry, we need to use the existing industrial land. We need to adopt modern economic approaches such as Applied Environmental Economics to give real economic value to natural services, in city budgets. We also need to consider water availability and infrastructure in decision making.

3. 03 · Issue #2: the issue, the specific actions you would take, and how City Council can actually influence the outcome.

   Issue: Transit, Traffic Congestion, and Fiscal Transport Planning
   Traffic congestion is a real issue in Kelowna. It is expensive to drive a car so it is important to arrive at your destination in a timely fashion.

   Increasing public transportation can reduce congestion. Public transit with lane management will encourage people to get out of their cars. We need to return fares back to pre-September 2025 rates and the 90-minute time policy. Kelowna could institute free transit for youth and seniors to establish lifelong transit habits and support low-income residents. The city had an annual surplus of $229 million (Annual Report Dec. 2025) so it seems there are sufficient funds to support our community in this way.

   The transit driver contracts are managed outside of the country, so we need to bring the administration closer to home and save operational funds and retain transit drivers.

4. 04 · Issue #3: the issue, the specific actions you would take, and how City Council can actually influence the outcome.

   Issue: Community Safety, Bylaw Enforcement, Support for Small Businesses

   Public safety and street/property crime remain a major concern for residents and commercial business owners. Our current bylaw enforcement operates on a purely reactive model and businesses are not feeling the police are effective enough.
   I will advocate for a dedicated police foot patrol in commercial areas to build real community relationships and deter street crime. It is time to transition Bylaw Services from a reactive model to proactive enforcement city-wide. “See something, do something.” Dedicated police units and community offices can result in responses to be quicker and better when the officers know the community.

   Council sets the annual police budget, establishes policing priorities with the local RCMP detachment, directs Bylaw Services policy, and sets parking and commercial zone regulations.

5. 05 · What experience, skills, and community involvement do you bring to the role?

   My unique experience as an environmental specialist in the terrestrial environment tied to geomorphology, water management, and climate change will allow me to support the other council members in providing an important insight into technical and environmental issues as various projects come before council. My work has required me to develop innovative solutions to difficult problems which is an important skill as we move forward into the future. My technical and science-based background and involvement with environmental impact assessment will ensure that our decisions support sustainability.

   My community involvement as a long-time board member of my neighbourhood association culminating in four years as President has taught me the importance of listening and understanding community concerns which will help when I hear from the public. I have also been active on the Abbott area heritage society board culminating as the president for two years. While working with these associations, I reviewed the zoning regulations, the OCP, the provincial housing mandates and various projects giving me a solid understanding of the city policies and how they affect the community.

6. 06 · How will you approach council decisions when priorities compete for limited resources?

   1. Evaluate Long-Term Costs vs. Short-Term Gains:
   For example, I will ask the question: do we need to spend millions on road expansion projects that encourage car dependency? Perhaps we can redirect capital into smaller, frequent transit options and reduce long-term road maintenance costs while serving residents and the environment better.
   2. Apply Applied Environmental Economics:
   Natural assets—like wetlands, green spaces, and urban tree canopies—provide economical essential ecosystem services (such as natural stormwater and flood management, cooling of the environment). Placing an economic value on these assets in the city budget prevents multi-million-dollar engineered infrastructure costs down the road.
   3. Disciplined Fiscal Management:
   I would prioritize core municipal services—safety, public transit, and natural infrastructure. In terms of projets: I would ask the questions: do we really need this at this time? Can we do the project a little differently to reduce the costs? Are our third-party contracting costs necessary and are they fiscally reasonable or should we look at other options?

7. 07 · How do you work with people who see an issue differently than you?

   Throughout my career as a scientist, parent, and community advocate, I have operated on the principle that knowledge, collaboration, and inclusiveness build a better community for everyone. We need to listen to each other as we come from different backgrounds and experiences.

   Focus on Data and Technical Information: In my 30 years as an environmental consultant, resolving complex land reclamation and resource issues required bringing stakeholders together through objective science, detailed planning, and transparent data. This science and technical lean helps to provide a good basis for decision making at council.
   Active Listening: Having spent years on the public side of Council chambers presenting on behalf of neighbourhood associations and on the city projects such as the 2040 OCP, the 43 storey UBCO tower, and Kelowna Springs Golf Course, I deeply respect public input, diverse neighbourhoods, and public voices.

   Finding Common Ground: No matter the issues, I focus on shared outcomes—such as long-term livability, safety, and economic stability. As a councillor, I want to reach solutions that respect both the community and sustainable growth.

8. 08 · What else should voters know about you?

   Local Roots & Active Lifestyle:
   Outside of my community advocacy, I enjoy staying active in our beautiful region by golfing, skiing, the gym, reading, and spending quality time with family and friends. Our local hills, the lake, and our orchards are unique jewels that provide the grand setting for Kelowna which is unique and worth protecting now and in the future.

   Independent Voice:
   I am driven by a passion for community livability rather than special interest groups or rapid development at all costs. My focus on livability and sustainability will likely ring true for the other councillors as that is what makes our city better to live in for all.

   Practical Environmentalism:
   My focus is on realistic, common-sense solutions-like preservation of the existing missing-middle, basing Development Cost Charges on a square footage basis to encourage housing affordability and less lot coverage, proactive bylaw enforcement, and protecting the agricultural baseline that feeds our region.

Back to all submissions