Episode 131: Matt and Taylor are re-joined by the incoming Mayor of West Kelowna Stephen Johnston.
Stephen is from West Kelowna, BC, and will be sworn in as it's Mayor this fall after running unopposed in the upcoming municipal election. Over the past 8 years, Stephen has served as both a two-term West Kelowna City Councillor and a Director with the RDCO, where he topped the polls in the last two elections while working full-time in construction.
Stephen's political history includes providing governance leadership and strategic oversight across key areas including infrastructure, housing, emergency services, and regional planning. He's helped guide multi-jurisdictional policies and budgets exceeding $150 million, while advancing community-driven decisions that support sustainable growth and long-term livability in the Central Okanagan.
In the private sector, Stephen serves as Director of Sales & Business Development at Kelowna Ready Mix, where he leads strategic growth initiatives, manages key partnerships, and drives operational excellence across sales, pricing, and customer service. Combining practical construction experience with a strong record of building trusted relationships — from corporate clients to constituents — to deliver results that matter.
Stephen is here to discuss:
→ His journey to becoming the Mayor of West Kelowna and his plans for the city in his first 4-year term.
→ What he's looking to accomplish in his first term including increasing efficiency at the government level for builders and partnering with the Westbank First Nation on a rec centre.
→ The provincial overreach of BC's bill 44 on municipal housing, the changes he would like to see to the bill, and his plan to bring back town halls.
→ The opportunities in West Kelowna with continued infrastructure and community projects including the electricity and the power substation, bridges, and a medical centre.
→ The specific areas he is looking to advocate for including the transportation corridor and dangerous intersections, water usage, and fire prevention.
→ HIs insights on the upcoming BC provincial election.
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LISTEN TO PAST APPEARANCES
Stephen's 1st Appearance in Episode 32: https://www.kelownarealestatepodcast.com/32-stephen-johnston/
Stephen's 2nd Appearance in Episode 78: https://www.kelownarealestatepodcast.com/78-stephen-johnston/
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CONNECT WITH THE GUEST
📸 City of West Kelowna Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/westkelownacity/
🔗 City of West Kelowna LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/company/cityofwestkelowna/?viewAsMember=true
City of West Kelowna LinkTree: https://linktr.ee/westkelownacity
📸 Stephen Johnston's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sjwestk/
🔗 Stephen Johnston's LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/stephen-johnston-050658148/
👥 Stephen Johnston's Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/sjwestk
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CHAPTERS
00:00 Cold Open
05:47 Today's Gust: Stephen Johnston
08:39 What's Next for West Kelowna
10:31 Bill 44
12:16 Provincial Overreach & Bringing Back Town Halls
14:18 Opportunity in West Kelowna
16:46 The OCP & Continued Infrastructure & Community Projects
18:38 Infrastructure Projects
23:33 Stephen's Goal This Term
26:23 Advocacy Areas
28:42 The Upcoming BC Provincial Election
36:25 Wrap-Up
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OUR SPONSORS
⭐️ The Kelowna Real Estate Podcast is brought to you by ARG Contracting. Honest words, honest work: https://www.arghomes.ca/?utm_source=kelownarealestate&utm_medium=podcast&utm_campaign=kelownarealestate-oct26-podcast_partnership
⭐️ The Kelowna Real Estate Podcast is brought to you by Venture Realty Corp. Commercial real estate done differently: https://venturecommercial.ca/
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CONNECT WITH THE SHOW
🎙️ Kelowna Real Estate Podcast: https://www.kelownarealestatepodcast.com
📺 Kelowna Real Estate Podcast YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@KelownaRealEstatePodcast
📸 Kelowna Real Estate Podcast Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/kelownarealestatepodcast/
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CONNECT WITH MATT
🌎 Matt Glen's Website: https://www.venturecommercial.ca/our-team/matt-glen
📬 Matt Glen's Email: matt.glen@venturecommercial.ca
📸 Matt Glen's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realmattglen/
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CONNECT WITH TAYLOR
🌎 Taylor Atkinson's Website: https://www.venturemortgages.com
📬 Taylor Atkinson's Email: taylor@venturemortgages.com
📸 Taylor Atkinson's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/venturemortgages/
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