What are the most important issues facing Vernon?
That is one of the questions I am asking and will continue to ask residents, business owners and community leaders throughout my campaign.
As a new Council candidate, one of the commitments I’ve made is simple: listen and learn.
Over the past several weeks, I’ve been asking people what they believe are the most important issues facing our community. At my recent campaign kick-off, I also asked those attending to identify one issue they felt was most important, along with an idea or question they would like Vernon City Council to consider.
So far, I have heard from over 50 people, and I plan to connect with many more throughout this campaign.
While this is certainly not a scientific survey, some clear themes have emerged.
What I am Hearing So Far
Homelessness, Mental Health, and Addictions
Homelessness is the issue I am hearing about most frequently. People are talking not only about homelessness itself, but also about mental health and addictions, public safety, crime, encampments, the impact on our downtown, and the need for appropriate housing and supports.
I recently had the opportunity to visit Vernon’s Upper Room Mission, where Executive Director Jacco De Vin gave me an extensive tour and shared the Mission’s expanding role and vision for the future. In addition to providing basic needs and operating Vernon’s only dry shelter, the Mission is increasingly focused on helping people move toward greater stability through case management and partnerships that connect guests with health care, addiction treatment, housing and other supports. Its longer-term vision includes expanded shelter and transitional housing options to help people move from homelessness toward greater independence.
One of my biggest takeaways was that homelessness isn’t one problem requiring one response. People experience homelessness for different reasons and have different needs. Meaningful progress will require a range of housing, health, treatment and social supports—and strong collaboration among the organizations and agencies providing them.
Affordable Housing in Vernon
Affordable housing is another significant concern, particularly the ability of young people, families, seniors and people with lower incomes to find a place they can afford to call home.
Housing affordability is closely connected to many of the other issues I’m hearing about. Understanding what housing is available, where the gaps exist and what role the city of Vernon can play will be an important part of understanding the broader challenge.
Vernon’s Water Supply
Water supply is also very much on people’s minds.
I have heard concerns about long-term water availability, conservation, infrastructure, agricultural needs and how we ensure our water supply can support our community into the future.
Water is fundamental to Vernon’s future, making it important to understand our current infrastructure, long-term planning and future needs.
The Future of Downtown Vernon
The future of downtown Vernon is another issue I am hearing about. Business owners and residents have talked to me about wanting a downtown area that feels safe, welcoming and vibrant – a place where people want to shop, dine, visit, attend events and simply spend time.
I have heard concerns about public safety and street disorder, but the conversation goes beyond those issues. People have also raised questions about attracting more people downtown, supporting local businesses, and creating more reasons for people of all ages to spend time in the downtown core.
Learning From Other Communities
Part of understanding these issues is looking at what other communities are doing. That doesn’t mean their approaches can simply be transplanted to Vernon. Our community has its own circumstances, resources and challenges.
What Can Vernon Learn About Homelessness?
There are Canadian communities that have demonstrated measurable reductions in chronic homelessness, and their experiences are worth understanding.
What stands out is that there is no single solution. Successful approaches involve strong partnerships, good data, different housing and support options, and coordinated efforts to understand what individual people need to move toward greater stability.
Medicine Hat is perhaps the best-known Canadian example. In 2021, it became the first community in Canada recognized as having functionally ended chronic homelessness. Other communities, including Dufferin County, St. Thomas-Elgin and Wellington-Guelph, have also reported measurable reductions.
What Can Vernon Learn About Downtown Revitilization?
I am hearing a similar message about our downtown: look at what other communities are doing and learn from their experiences.
I recently had an interesting conversation with Diana Vona, owner of Casa Bella Boutique, about communities that have successfully revitalized their downtown cores. That conversation prompted me to do some research.
The approaches vary. Quesnel has used business façade improvements, public art, beautification and a community ambassador program. Fort Saskatchewan has focused on attracting more people downtown, activating public spaces, reducing commercial vacancies and encouraging private investment. Port Coquitlam has focused on creating a safe, pedestrian-friendly downtown with events, public art, parks, shops, restaurants and residential development that give people of all ages reasons to spend time there.
The question for me isn’t which approach Vernon should copy. It’s what we can learn from these experiences while better understanding the work already underway here.
Looking Forward
“I want Vernon to be a community known for its exceptional quality of life – a place where people want to live, raise a family, build a career or business, and eventually retire.”
For me, this means a healthy, safe and connected community. A place that supports health and wellness, where people have access to recreation and the outdoors, where our downtown and neighborhoods are vibrant and welcoming, where businesses can thrive, and where young people see opportunities to build their futures.
Achieving that means addressing some significant challenges. We need to address homelessness and its impact on our community, improve access to affordable housing, support a safe and vibrant downtown, and ensure a secure and sustainable water supply for the future.
There are other issues I want to better understand as well including family doctor recruitment, crime and public safety, economic development, transportation and infrastructure.
I have ideas about some of these challenges. In fact, after spending much of my career solving problems, it’s tempting for me to jump straight into solution mode. But I also know that complex problems rarely have simple answers.
Having a vision for where we want to go is important. Figuring out the best way to get there requires listening, learning, understanding what is already being done, considering different perspectives and making informed decisions.
That is the work I’m doing now—and it’s the approach I would bring to Council.
I Want to Hear From You
I want to keep the conversation going and continue learning from residents, businesses and community organizations across Vernon. What do you think is the most important issue facing Vernon?
And just as importantly, What ideas do you think Vernon City Council should be considering?
Every conversation helps me better understand our community, the challenges we face and the opportunities ahead.
I hope you’ll reach out and share your perspective with me at contact@diana-wilson.ca
Published: August 31, 2026