Stephen Johnston Acclaimed as West Kelowna Mayor, Promises to Re‑Earn Trust After Cost‑Overrun Scandal

Municipal elections in West Kelowna are still a month away, but the town already knows who will sit in the mayor’s chair. Two‑term councillor Stephen Johnston was acclaimed – no one else stepped forward – and he’s now gearing up for the job.

“I’m just so honoured to have this opportunity to serve as the next mayor of West Kelowna,” Johnston told Global News, his voice a mix of pride and humility. He smiled, paused, then added a quick, “There’s a lot to do.”

Johnston says his agenda will keep the usual suspects – homelessness, addiction and wildfire resilience – front and centre. Those are the big, hard‑to‑solve issues that have haunted the community for years.

But there’s another, more immediate mountain to climb: restoring public confidence after a series of costly missteps. The council he’s been part of was criticised for a perceived lack of transparency, especially around two high‑profile capital projects.

One of those projects, the new city hall and library, blew past its budget by more than $6 million. The other, the Rose Valley Water Treatment Plant, sparked endless questions about financing and who would end up footing the bill.

“It’s no secret we had a couple of projects that went over budget. It was a difficult and challenging time,” Johnston admitted, sounding genuinely reflective. He didn’t shy away from the fact that residents were angry – and some were downright skeptical.

Local resident Jackie Haynes summed up the mood: “The city’s recent record makes you wonder if public confidence can ever be rebuilt.” It’s a sentiment Johnston says he takes to heart.

His promise? More open meetings, clearer reporting, and a commitment to keep taxpayers in the loop. “If we’re going to move forward, we need to be transparent about where every dollar goes,” he said.

While the mayor‑to‑be acknowledges the road ahead won’t be smooth, he’s confident the council can learn from past mistakes. “We’ve got a chance to reset, to listen, and to act responsibly,” he concluded, before promising to roll up his sleeves and get to work.