KANDACE SZTEPANACZ FOR CITY COUNCIL 2026

 

Building a Safer, Brighter & More Connected Penticton

 

I grew up in Penticton, aside from a few years spent on the coast, and my connection to this community runs deep. My family has been part of Penticton for generations, with deep roots on Pearson Road, which was named after my family.
Penticton has always been home to me, and that long-standing connection is a big part of why I care so deeply about the future of this community.

I have worked in health care for 14 years and have experience as a care aide, nursing unit clerk, and registered professional counsellor. I am also currently completing the final portion of my Practical Nursing diploma. Outside of work and school, I am a mom of two, play softball, enjoy paddleboarding, floating the channel, walking our dogs, and volunteering in the community whenever I can. I also have a deep love for all things Halloween and a tea and coffee mug collection that has probably grown larger than it needs to be.

I am also currently advocating for a secondary transportation route connecting the South Okanagan with Kelowna. That work has already resulted in my federal petition being presented by MP Konanz in Ottawa, and I continue to push the issue forward through provincial outreach, community support, and discussions with elected officials. It reflects the kind of advocacy I believe in: identifying a problem, taking action, and following through.

I am not a career politician. I am a resident, parent, health-care worker, student, and community member who experiences many of the same day-to-day realities as the people I hope to represent. Penticton has been part of my family's story for generations, and I care deeply about helping ensure it remains a safe, affordable, welcoming, and vibrant place to live, work, raise a family, and build a future.

I drive the same roads. I see the changes happening in our neighbourhoods and downtown. I see the challenges facing our businesses and families, and I hear the concerns residents are raising about the direction our city is taking.

And I share many of those concerns.

People have been speaking up about our bike lanes and road changes, homelessness and encampments, public drug use, crime and community safety, affordability, and the pressures facing local businesses. I believe residents have raised legitimate concerns, and it is time they are heard.

 

Penticton needs a Council that listens to the people who live here.

 

A Council that is willing to question decisions that are not working. A Council that addresses problems rather than allowing them to continue. And a Council that advocates for its residents and remembers who it was elected to represent.

 

I believe changes are needed, and I am running because I want to help make those changes happen. If elected, I understand that I would be one member of Council and that meaningful change requires collaboration. I would not have the authority to make decisions alone, but I could bring forward motions, raise residents’ concerns at the Council table, advocate for change, ask difficult questions, and work with other members of Council to build support for practical solutions. I cannot promise that every proposal I bring forward would pass, but I can promise that I would use my position to ensure the voices and concerns of Penticton residents are heard and represented.

 

My priorities are to address the bike-lane and road changes that are creating safety, traffic, and accessibility concerns across Penticton; limit unnecessary tax and utility increases, review why costs are rising and look for responsible ways to lower them where possible, tackle homelessness and encampments through safe, structured housing and meaningful supports; address public drug use, crime, and community safety; expand affordable housing for families, seniors, and low-income residents; bring more education and skills-training opportunities to Penticton; and support local businesses while attracting new investment, industries, and jobs to our city.

 

These priorities are about more than individual policies. They are about building a city where people feel safe, where families can afford to stay, where businesses can succeed, where residents have opportunities to build their futures, and where the people who live here know their voices matter.

 

Penticton is our home. Its residents deserve to be heard, represented and advocated for — and that is the kind of councillor I intend to be.

 

Taxes, Utilities and Affordability. 

 

Penticton residents are already dealing with rising costs in almost every part of their lives. Municipal taxes and utility bills should not continue increasing without a clear explanation of why those increases are needed and where that money is going.

 

I believe the city needs to take a closer look at spending, utility costs, and future increases, while finding responsible ways to reduce costs for residents wherever possible. 

 

My Priorities

• Limit future tax and utility increases: Push back on unnecessary increases and make affordability a priority when council is making financial decisions.

 

• Review where the money is going: Examine city spending and utility costs to better understand what is driving increases and whether residents are getting good value for what they pay.

 

• Look for opportunities to lower costs: Identify efficiencies, savings, and other responsible ways to reduce taxes or utility rates where possible without compromising essential services. 

 

• Improve transparency: Make it easier for residents to understand how their taxes and utility payments are being used and why increases are being proposed.

 

Safer Roads & Responsible Transportation

 

As Penticton continues to grow, our transportation network must remain safe, functional, and capable of meeting the needs of our community.

I support safe infrastructure for cyclists and pedestrians. However, transportation planning must also consider motorists, emergency services, transit, commercial vehicles, local businesses, and the overall movement of traffic throughout our city.

 

Recent changes to several Penticton roads have raised significant concerns regarding road width, concrete barriers, traffic flow, emergency access, parking, and the practical use of our streets. I believe these concerns deserve action.

 

My Priorities

•    Address road narrowing on Eckhardt Avenue and Martin Street: The addition of wide cycling infrastructure has significantly reduced usable roadway space along these corridors. I will advocate for appropriate bike-lane widths while restoring reasonable space for motorists, commercial trucks, trailers, and emergency vehicles. This includes addressing difficult turning areas, side-street access, parking and business access, and ensuring motorists have sufficient room to safely yield when emergency vehicles need to pass.

 

•    Remove large concrete bike-lane barriers: I will bring forward action to remove the large concrete barriers currently used along portions of Penticton's cycling network and replace them with safer alternatives. Particular attention must be given to corners, intersections, turning areas, driveways, and transit stops where adequate vehicle clearance is essential.

 

•    Protect emergency access: The ability of ambulances, fire trucks, and police vehicles to move safely and efficiently through our city must be a priority. Road designs must provide sufficient space for motorists to yield and emergency vehicles to pass.

 

•    Correct the South Main Street configuration: I will advocate for changes to the current meandering road alignment to create a safer, more predictable route for motorists, transit, and emergency vehicles while continuing to provide appropriate protection for cyclists and pedestrians.

 

•    Reassess Manitoba Street traffic measures: Traffic-calming features, curb extensions, and the current roundabout-style configuration should be reconsidered where they unnecessarily restrict normal and safe vehicle movement.

 

•    Maintain Skaha Lake Road as an effective transportation corridor: I do not support reducing Skaha Lake Road to one through-lane in each direction. As Penticton's population grows, our major transportation corridors must have sufficient capacity to accommodate residents, visitors, businesses, and emergency services.

 

•    Improve safety at Green Avenue and Skaha Lake Road without sacrificing traffic flow: The safety of children and pedestrians is essential. I will advocate for alternative solutions to be considered, including the feasibility of a pedestrian overpass or another separated crossing, with the goal of protecting pedestrians while maintaining an effective major intersection.

 

•    Prioritize necessary infrastructure spending: City resources should first be directed toward roads and infrastructure that genuinely require repair, replacement, or safety improvements. Major reconstruction of functioning roads should have a demonstrated need, clear public benefit, and responsible use of taxpayer dollars.

 

A New Council Can Address What Is Not Working

 

Residents should know that transportation decisions made by a previous Council are not necessarily permanent.

 

British Columbia's Community Charter provides municipalities with authority over City-controlled roads, including authority relating to municipal highways and highway alterations. This provides a future Council with the ability to address existing infrastructure and make changes where necessary, subject to applicable legal and regulatory requirements.

 

If elected, I will bring motions forward and work collaboratively with my fellow councillors to address these concerns, with the safety and needs of Penticton residents at the forefront of our decisions.

My goal is not to choose between cyclists, pedestrians, and motorists. It is to ensure Penticton has a transportation network that works safely and effectively for everyone as our community continues to grow.

 

Homelessness, Encampments & Community Safety

 

Penticton residents deserve safe neighbourhoods, safe public spaces, and a City that takes their concerns seriously. The Fairview Road encampment cannot become a permanent fixture in our community.

 

I support the Province's efforts to seek a lawful resolution through the courts and end the Fairview Road encampment. But simply dismantling one encampment and having another appear somewhere else is not a solution.

We need to address the problem, not relocate it.

 

I believe Penticton should work with the Province, BC Housing, non-profit organizations, health services, and other community partners to develop structured housing options that move people off our streets and out of encampments while protecting the safety of the broader community.

 

If elected, I will work with Council and our provincial and community partners to push for a solution that puts community safety, accountability, and long-term results at the centre of our response to homelessness.

 

Affordable Housing for Penticton Residents

I will advocate for policies and initiatives that increase the availability of safe, affordable housing for families, seniors, and individuals struggling to find suitable homes in Penticton. Housing should be accessible, fair, and supportive of long-term stability.

 

My Priorities

•    Increase the supply of affordable units: Work with developers, non-profits, and government programs to create more rental and ownership opportunities at prices local residents can afford.

 

•    Partner with BC Housing: Collaborate with BC Housing to bring more low-income housing options specifically for families, ensuring safe and sustainable homes.

 

•    Improve access to rental support and stabilization programs: Advocate for stronger awareness, coordination, and access to programs such as the Rental Assistance Program (RAP), SAFER, Canada-BC Housing Benefit (CBCHB), Rent Bank, Affordable Housing Pilot Funding Program, and Rental Protection Fund homes. 

 

•    Support inclusionary zoning and incentives: Encourage developers to include affordable units in new housing projects through incentives or requirements.

 

•    Support seniors and vulnerable populations: Prioritize affordable options for seniors, single-parent families, and individuals with low or moderate incomes.

 

•    Make smart use of City resources: Leverage City-owned land and partnerships to reduce development costs and speed up availability.

 

Building Housing Stability in Penticton

 

Increasing access to affordable housing will help families, seniors, and working residents remain in our community. It will strengthen workforce stability by helping employees afford to live locally, reduce pressure on homelessness services by addressing housing insecurity before it escalates, and support stronger, more stable neighbourhoods and our downtown.

If elected, I will work with Council, developers, BC Housing, and community organizations to develop practical, cost-conscious solutions that ensure Penticton residents have access to safe and affordable housing.

 

Crime, Safety & Community Support

 

I will prioritize a safe, secure, and welcoming community for all residents. This means working closely with the police, supporting critical community programs, and ensuring effective by-law services to maintain safe public spaces.

 

My Priorities

•    Strengthen collaboration with police: Advocate for stronger coordination with the RCMP and other community partners to improve response to crime and safety issues, ensuring residents feel protected and supported.

 

•    Increase funding and resource support: Advocate for increased support and funding for programs that complement policing, such as community safety officers, by-law enforcement, and crisis response initiatives. I will work with Council to expand the Mobile Integrated Crisis Response Team (MICR) in Penticton, ensuring the team has the resources, staff, and tools needed to respond quickly and effectively to mental health and substance-use crises.

 

•    Extend by-law services: Recommend extending by-law service hours, including overnight coverage, to ensure timely enforcement and resident accountability. Strong by-law services are a key part of reducing crime, 

maintaining safe public spaces, and supporting vulnerable community members.

 

•    Improve and maintain public spaces: Upgrade and maintain streetlights, pathways, parks, and other public areas to ensure they are safe, clean, well-lit, and open, deterring unsafe activity and making neighbourhoods more welcoming.

 

•    Increase targeted City patrols: Increase the visible presence of by-law officers in problem areas during high-risk times, including overnight coverage where needed.

•    Design public infrastructure with safety in mind: Work with City planners to ensure public areas are designed with safety in mind, including clear sightlines, open pathways, and accessible emergency access.

 

•    Improve response to resident complaints: Strengthen City protocols to address resident complaints about safety hazards, vandalism, or nuisance activity quickly and effectively.

 

Strengthening Safety in Penticton

These priorities will enhance public safety and community confidence, reduce nuisance activity while providing support to vulnerable residents, ensure City resources are used efficiently and effectively, and strengthen programs that address mental health and substance-use crises safely and proactively.

If elected, I will work with Council, by-law staff, police, health partners, and community organizations to ensure Penticton remains a safe, welcoming, and thriving city for all residents and visitors.

 

Education & Training Opportunities

 

I will advocate for initiatives that bring more educational and skills-training opportunities to Penticton, so residents — especially youth and young adults — can pursue their goals without having to leave town.

 

My Priorities

•    Advocate for local programs: Work with post-secondary institutions, trade schools, and vocational programs to explore opportunities for satellite campuses, specialized courses, or online hubs in Penticton.

 

•    Support workforce development: Collaborate with local businesses and organizations to identify skills gaps and encourage training programs that prepare residents for in-demand careers.

 

•    Use City resources and incentives: Promote the use of City-owned spaces for educational programs, and support grants or funding initiatives that make establishing local courses viable.

 

Creating Opportunities in Penticton

These priorities will help reduce “brain drain” by keeping youth and skilled residents in Penticton, support local businesses and strengthen our workforce, and provide residents with accessible education and career pathways.

If elected, I will work with Council, educational institutions, and community partners to ensure Penticton is a city where residents can learn, grow, and succeed without having to leave for opportunities.

 

Attracting Business & Economic Growth

 

I will advocate for policies and initiatives that make Penticton an attractive place for businesses to invest, grow, and create local jobs.

 

My Priorities

•    Business-Friendly Policies: Support city initiatives that reduce unnecessary red tape, streamline permitting, and make it easier for small and medium businesses to start and operate in Penticton. 

 

•    Incentives & Partnerships: Promote incentives for businesses to locate in Penticton, such as tax breaks, grants, or access to city-owned commercial spaces. Partner with regional economic development organizations to highlight Penticton as a destination for investment. 

 

•    Support for Local Entrepreneurs: Encourage programs that help local startups, entrepreneurs, and small businesses access training, mentoring, and funding opportunities. 

 

•    Infrastructure to Support Business: Ensure city infrastructure — such as transportation, broadband, and commercial zoning — meets the needs of local and incoming businesses. 

 

•    Tourism & Industry Diversification: Advocate for attracting businesses in growing sectors (tech, green energy, creative industries, tourism) to diversify Penticton’s economic base and create resilient job opportunities. 

 

Building Economic Opportunity in Penticton

Creating more opportunities for businesses to invest and grow in Penticton will create local jobs and strengthen the economy, retain residents by providing employment opportunities, encourage entrepreneurship and innovation in the community, and support sustainable growth and diversification to make Penticton more resilient.

 

If elected, I will work with council, economic development staff, and local business partners to ensure Penticton is a city where businesses can thrive, grow, and provide opportunities for residents.

 

Moving Penticton Forward

 

Penticton is my home, and I believe deeply in what our community can be. We have challenges that need to be addressed, but we also have an opportunity to make meaningful changes and build a safer, stronger, and more prosperous city.

If elected, I will listen to the people of Penticton, advocate for their concerns, and work with my fellow councillors to bring forward practical solutions that put our residents and our community first.

 

Together, we can build a safer, brighter, and more connected Penticton.