January 13, 2026

The Honourable Christine Boyle
Minister of Housing
Province of British Columbia

Dear Minister Boyle,

On behalf of the Kelowna Chamber of Commerce, we are writing to express the strong and urgent need for the province to approve the City of Kelowna’s request for an exemption from the short-term rental restrictions.

Kelowna currently faces one of the highest unemployment rates in British Columbia. As our community prepares for the upcoming tourism season, the continued application of short-term rental restrictions poses a serious risk to local businesses, workers, and the broader regional economy. Tourism is a cornerstone of Kelowna’s economic vitality, and timely access to appropriate visitor accommodation is essential to ensuring that economic opportunities are not lost.

The urgency of this matter is further underscored by the scale of major events Kelowna will be hosting soon, including the Memorial Cup, the BC Summer Games, and several other significant tournaments and conferences. These events have the potential to bring tens of thousands of visitors to our city in addition to the 2 million visitors we welcome every year and inject millions of dollars into the local economy. Without sufficient short-term accommodation options, Kelowna risks being unable to fully realize the economic and employment benefits associated with hosting these events.

Local businesses across hospitality, retail, transportation, and service sectors are counting on a strong tourism season to recover and grow. Delays in lifting or exempting Kelowna from the current short-term rental restrictions will have immediate and lasting economic consequences, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises and the workers they employ.

We respectfully urge the province to act swiftly in approving Kelowna’s exemption request, allowing the city to respond to its unique economic conditions while continuing to address housing needs through locally tailored solutions. Prompt action will provide certainty to businesses, protect jobs, and ensure Kelowna can successfully host these high-profile events for the benefit of the entire province.

Thank you for your attention to this critical matter. We would welcome the opportunity to discuss this further and to work collaboratively with the province toward a timely resolution.

Sincerely,

 

George Greenwood, CEO

Kelowna Chamber of Commerce