kelownaelections.ca

Lee-Ann Tiede

Candidate for Councillor

Background

Lee-Ann Tiede has lived in Kelowna for more than 34 years.

She has spent over two decades serving the community through elected public office, including three terms (12 years) as a Central Okanagan School District (SD23) trustee — including two years as Board Chair (2022–2024) — and three terms (9 years) as a Glenmore-Ellison Improvement District (GEID) trustee.

Tiede's professional background includes more than 15 years of administrative, operational, and governance experience across the public and private sectors, spanning the technology, finance, healthcare, and construction industries. Her expertise includes executive administration, operations management, regulatory compliance, corporate security, contract administration, and the stewardship of confidential information.

She was first elected as an SD23 school trustee in 2014. In the 2018 election, she placed first among Kelowna's four SD23 seats with 11,542 votes. In 2022, she placed third with 12,258 votes (15.25%).

Tiede has no City-of-Kelowna filing with Elections BC. Her two prior Financial Report of Political Contributions (FRPC) filings are for Central Okanagan School District / Trustee Election Area 3 / Board of Education Trustee: one with income of $11,976.30 and expenditures of $11,113.64, and another with income of $500.00 and expenditures of $3,159.81. (Elections BC FRPC; verify-verdicts, Sept 18 2026) Her 2026 council candidacy is her first run for Kelowna City Council.

2026 Campaign

Tiede announced her candidacy for Kelowna City Council on June 25, 2026. (Castanet, June 25 2026 — https://www.castanet.net/news/Kelowna/621717/School-trustee-Lee-Ann-Tiede-seeks-Kelowna-council-seat) She stated: "Kelowna is a city that I have lived in, loved, and served for more than three decades... The greatest lesson I have learned in public service is the importance of listening. Good decisions begin by hearing from the people who are directly affected by them." (Castanet, June 25 2026) Her platform focuses on "thoughtful growth, strong neighbourhoods, responsible stewardship of public resources." (Castanet, June 25 2026) She also stated: "As our city continues to grow, residents deserve leaders who are accessible, accountable, and willing to hear all perspectives."

Her campaign site describes her as "A bold, trusted voice for Kelowna — bringing two decades of community leadership to City Council, with families and neighbourhoods at the centre of every decision." (campaign site, 2026 — https://lee-anntiede.ca/) Platform pillars include: "Keeping Kelowna Strong" (affordability for children and grandchildren); "Being a Good Neighbour" (compassion and practical help for those experiencing homelessness, addiction, or disaster); protecting individual freedoms; "Strong Families"; and the environment (protecting shoreline, orchards, parks, waterways, and air quality).

Her campaign tagline: "Strong families, protected freedoms, compassion for the vulnerable. A brighter future for the next generation."

Endorsements listed on her campaign site include Steve Bonn, described as a previous Glenmore-Ellison Improvement District Chair, and an unnamed Kelowna non-profit director.

In an undated ForChange Kelowna candidate questionnaire, Tiede detailed three additional priorities. On growth, she said development should be matched with the infrastructure needed to serve it, protecting parks and natural areas and ensuring residents have "a meaningful opportunity to be heard" on significant and historical site changes. On safe neighbourhoods, she supported effective policing and bylaw enforcement, improved lighting and public spaces, and collaboration with other governments on homelessness, addiction and public disorder. On public funds, she said she would review City spending for efficiencies, focus on essential services, and consider delaying lower-priority capital projects before asking taxpayers for more.

At the third Castanet election forum (Revelry Kelowna, October 1, 2026), Tiede said she wants Kelowna and West Kelowna councils to begin meeting directly, noting the two councils "have not even met together," and called for working with the neighbouring municipality on either a second bridge or bringing the existing crossing to its intended capacity. On a possible change to the policing model, she said it must be researched and weighed on costs, and that either way the city should secure a mutual-aid agreement with Vernon and West Kelowna so the communities can cover one another in an emergency.

Campaign site: https://lee-anntiede.ca

Social media:

Notable Items

The Kelowna Daily Courier published a June 25, 2026 article with the headline "Anti-vaxxer and SOGI critic runs for Kelowna city council." (Kelowna Daily Courier, June 25 2026 — https://www.kelownadailycourier.ca/news/article_ebc84b25-927b-4255-a949-53881827fd98.html) The article reported that Tiede voted against the SD23 employee COVID vaccine mandate on January 26, 2022, stating: "This is not a vaccine that is working… I'm totally opposed to this mandate." (Kelowna Daily Courier, June 25 2026) The Penticton Herald independently confirmed the vote and quote. (Penticton Herald, 2022)

The Daily Courier also reported that on October 7, 2022, Tiede proposed dropping SOGI (Sexual Orientation & Gender Identity) materials, stating: "Politics and propaganda can wait until children are less vulnerable." (Kelowna Daily Courier, June 25 2026) Coverage of her SOGI 123 objections dates to 2018 and 2022.

The "anti-vaxxer" characterization is the Daily Courier's headline label, which Tiede has publicly disputed. (iNFOnews — "Anti-vax, anti-SOGI? … Tiede responds") The underlying facts — her recorded votes and verbatim quotes — are presented above as documented public record. The label is attributed to the outlet and is not adopted as this profile's own description.

Notes

Tiede's two prior FRPC filings are for SD23 school trustee campaigns, not City of Kelowna council. (Elections BC FRPC; verify-verdicts, Sept 18 2026 — ITEM F1)

Endorsements

ForChange Kelowna recommends Lee-Ann Tiede as one of eight candidates for Kelowna city council in the 2026 election. ForChange Kelowna is a Kelowna volunteer group that reviewed candidates' questionnaire responses, held structured interviews and attended forums; it lists its eight recommendations alphabetically rather than by ranking. The group describes itself as independent and not affiliated with any political party, slate or business organization, and is registered with Elections BC as a third-party advertising sponsor (principal official Francis Braam).

Questionnaire responses

Answers to the standardized Kelowna Elections questionnaire, sent in identical form to every councillor candidate. Published verbatim; received 2026-10-04 (after the October 2 deadline).

1. Housing affordability

I would support smaller homes, townhouses and homes with suites that give first-time buyers more affordable choices, keep approvals timely, and review development charges for potential savings while keeping building heights suited to neighbourhoods and providing practical parking.

2. Public safety

Police and bylaw need the resources to keep people safe, alongside better access to treatment, mental-health care and youth support, with close oversight of how the levy is spent.

3. Homelessness & the supervised consumption site

I would not support renewing the consumption site without clear evidence that it helps people and keeps the surrounding neighbourhood safe; my priority is stable housing and timely access to treatment and recovery, including qualified private facilities, with accountability for public spending.

4. Taxes & budget

I would look for savings before accepting that increase, protect police, fire, roads and utilities, and review administrative costs and defer less urgent capital projects to avoid adding more to residents’ tax bills.

5. Growth & infrastructure funding

Growth should help pay its way through fair development charges, provincial and federal funding, and careful spending; my top priority is improving Glenmore Road toward John Hindle Drive so roads keep pace with growth.

6. Transit & getting around

My first priority would be the road network, with a focus on Glenmore Road toward John Hindle Drive, subject to funding and council approval. I would also review transit routes and schedules with BC Transit and prioritize sidewalk and crossing improvements based on safety needs and available funding.

7. Downtown & the local economy

I would start by listening to downtown businesses about the challenges they face and how those affect customers and tourism, then use what I learn to help set council’s priorities for safety, access and support for the local economy.

Registered campaign links

From the official candidate registration record; presence here is not an endorsement.

Financial agent: Shaun Everest

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