In 30 seconds
- West Kelowna's new Economic Development Corporation is writing its first strategic plan, for 2027 to 2030.
- Anyone who lives, works, owns property or runs a business in West Kelowna can answer the survey until December 21. It takes about 15 minutes.
- 295 of the 357 building permits West Kelowna issued in 2026, more than 8 in 10, were residential, and 33 more were plumbing replacements in homes.
| Figure | Value |
|---|---|
| December 21: the day the survey closes | 21 |
| minutes to answer | 15 |
| building permits issued in West Kelowna in 2026 so far | 357 |
What is happening
The City of West Kelowna set up the West Kelowna Economic Development Corporation as an arm's length non-profit, with the city as its only shareholder. Its first job is a three-year strategic plan: what the city's economy should aim for, what holds it back, and where the corporation should spend its time.
The survey is at ourwk.ca/wkedc. The corporation also plans interviews with people across different sectors and a public open house early in the new year. A draft plan is due for public review this winter, and council is expected to consider it in the spring.
Why trades should answer
Economic plans tend to list tourism, wine and technology first. Trades are part of the Westside's working economy, and the questions that matter to them, like industrial land, yard space, permit times and finding apprentices, only make the plan if someone raises them.
West Kelowna's own permits show where its building work is. Most of it is homes.
| Permits | Share | |
|---|---|---|
| Residential | 295 | 83% |
| Poly B to PEX replacement | 33 | 9% |
| Non-residential | 27 | 8% |
| Other | 2 | <1% |
City of West Kelowna building permit open data, January 1 to November 14, 2026, read November 14, 2026. Permits still in plan check, pending or ready for issuance are not counted. Analysis: Okanagan Trade Directory.
Poly B to PEX permits are plumbing jobs replacing old polybutylene water lines, a steady line of work on the Westside's older homes.
How we did this
Details of the plan and survey are from KelownaNow and Castanet. Permit counts are from the City of West Kelowna's published building permit data, read November 14, 2026, counting permits issued from January 1, 2026 and leaving out those still in plan check, pending or ready for issuance. "Other" is one mixed residential and commercial permit and one blasting permit.