Message from the administrator

Community involvement and engagement has always been a priority for the Regional District of Central Okanagan. Those ongoing efforts were highlighted in several areas during 2022. Following extensive consultation opportunities with residents, stakeholders and participating governments, we completed several key projects that will assist in future planning to ensure there’s a place for everyone in the Central Okanagan.

As the fastest growing region in the country, our Regional Housing Strategy is designed to address the challenges around affordability, supply, and supportive housing across the region and to improve coordinated, collaborative action. Our Central Okanagan Poverty and Wellness Strategy provides over 40 actionable ideas along with a blueprint for building on the amazing work that people and organizations across the Central Okanagan continue to do in meeting the basic needs of residents through reconciliation, inclusion and belonging. And with the lengthy history and continuing importance of agriculture and supporting industries, we completed the background report that will foster development of a Regional Agricultural Strategy in 2023. We also anticipate presenting the Regional Board with a master trails plan for Rose Valley Regional Park and a management plan to guide Kalamoir Regional Park into the future.

In 2022, we transitioned from supporting residents recovering from the devastating White Rock Lake wildfire to helping them move forward with rebuilding. Our bolstered Community Services Planning and Inspection teams offered compassionate and responsive assistance in many areas. We also acknowledge the amazing financial and in-person supports provided by the Canadian Red Cross and Provincial Government through Emergency Management BC.

The Regional District’s achievements continue to be recognized in many areas. The Southern Interior Local Government Association presented us with the Community Excellence Award for Environmental Sustainability for our collaborative Regional Flood Mitigation Strategy. It is a key component of our ongoing Central Okanagan Floodplain Management Plan.

Brian Reardon, Chief Administrative Officer

Central Okanagan Crime Stoppers celebrated 35 years of crime-solving community service and 2022 also saw the Central Okanagan Economic Development Commission receive three national awards for the ‘OkGo campaign’ from the Economic Developers Association of Canada (EDAC).

Our respectful commitment to advancing local government knowledge and understanding about the principles of Truth and Reconciliation, continues in all areas of the Regional District organization. Recognizing this is a journey, we took meaningful steps by working with the syilx / Okanagan people in developing our new syilx land acknowledgement (which I encourage you to read on our Contents page). A new parks policy was adopted that provides options for pre-colonial Indigenous place naming, renaming and dual language naming in regional parks. And our passionate Indigenous Advisor, is working with all staff across the RDCO to build on our strong relationships with First Nation communities and people in the Central Okanagan. Many staff participated in the moving KAIROS blanket exercise - to listen, learn, and recognize the painful truths that have existed and continue to exist for Indigenous people of Canada.

2022 was also an election year. On behalf of all RDCO staff I want to thank those Regional Board members who served during the past term and welcome our new Directors to the table. May your achievements and accomplishments be many over the next four years.

RDCO employees

full, part-time, seasonal and casual