To the Premier of British Columbia, Members of the Legislative Assembly, and Ministers of Public Safety, Mental Health, and Housing:

We, the undersigned, are residents, business owners, employees, and guests of Kelowna’s North End, Downtown Core, Landmark District, and the broader Kelowna community. We’re writing to express our growing concern over the conditions impacting our communities, our businesses, and our basic safety.

What used to be considered rare or alarming — public drug use, aggressive behaviour, random acts of violence — is now a near-daily reality. It’s not just frustrating. It’s dangerous.

Our team members are being asked to act as crisis responders. Our guests are exposed to unpredictable situations. And our businesses are left to absorb the cost, risk, and emotional toll.

This isn’t about blaming individuals on the front lines — police officers, outreach workers, or city staff — who are doing their best with the resources they’ve been given. But when we’re told, “It’s not the city’s fault” — then we must ask: Who is responsible for creating real, effective, long-term solutions?

We don’t just need more money thrown at the problem. We need transparency. Accountability. And a seat at the table.

The public deserves to know what’s actually being done — and what isn’t. The truth is, we can no longer afford to give the government more time, more money, or more blind trust to “fix it.” The situation has outgrown politics and promises.

This is not just a city problem or a business problem. It’s a human problem. There isn’t a family out there that hasn’t been impacted, or isn’t afraid their loved one could fall into the same cycle. This is all of our concern — and the time for polite inaction is over.

We don’t want to be adversaries. We want to be allies. But we can’t do that from the sidelines anymore. It’s time for us — business owners, team members, residents, neighbours — to be part of the frontline.

We need the Province to step up. And we need to admit that we, too, haven’t paid close enough attention. We are all at fault for not having our eyes wide open. But we are no longer sleeping.

This is no longer a question of if we need change — it’s a question of what kind.

Are we choosing to support thriving local businesses, safe communities, and mental health systems that actually work? Or are we continuing to pretend it’s “out of our hands” while frontline workers, small business owners, and everyday people shoulder the risk — every single day?

This isn’t a passive crisis. It’s a choice. And we’re calling on the Province of BC to choose better.

We’re done accepting “that’s just how it is.” It’s time to go back to basics — like we did with our kids: It’s not “Are you thirsty?” — it’s “Do you want water or milk?”

The choice is clear. Now it’s time to act.

We call on the Province of British Columbia to take responsibility — and to lead. Our communities deserve nothing less.

Signed,

The Undersigned Members of the Kelowna Community

August 2025