ABOUT DAVID KOPP

Hi, I'm David Kopp

MY BACKGROUND

David Kopp is a local resident running for MLA for Kelowna Mission. He has been actively involved in the community and local politics for the past 10 years. He is passionate about improving the lives of his fellow citizens and believes that public service is the best way to achieve this goal.

MY VISION FOR KELOWNA MISSION

David Kopp's vision for Kelowna Mission is a community that is inclusive, prosperous and sustainable. He believes in investing in education, healthcare, and infrastructure to improve the quality of life for all citizens. He is committed to working with other stakeholders to create a thriving local economy that provides opportunities for all.

MY MISSION

Building a Better Community

David Kopp's mission is to build a better community for all residents of Kelowna Mission. He believes that equality and opportunity are the cornerstone of a thriving society. He is committed to working tirelessly to ensure that all citizens have access to the resources they need to succeed. He is dedicated to creating a community that is inclusive, sustainable, and prosperous.

Housing

We need to build more housing, a lot more. Housing prices need to drop. So do rents. Working adults should not have to have roommates. If you have a full-time job, you should be able to afford your own place.

Our housing market is struggling in Kelowna with rising costs and stagnant incomes. As a candidate for a provincial government seat in BC, I believe in the power of the free market. However, some corrections are needed.

The free market is the backbone of our economy, and it's crucial that it functions efficiently. However, there are issues in our housing sector, where supply and demand have become imbalanced. We've seen an overabundance of condos, problematic "Tall and Sprawl" developments, and challenges getting approval for needed multiplexes.

To restore the vitality of our housing market, we should prioritize the free market principles. This means allowing the market to respond to the demands of our community. We'll start by assessing housing needs and removing zoning restrictions that hinder diverse housing options. Streamlining approval processes, incentivizing affordability, promoting sustainable upgrades, and encouraging collaborative project delivery will all play a role.

To improve our housing market in Kelowna, we also need to tackle harmful demand that drives up prices. This includes speculative purchases, cash investments, and short-term rentals that leave homes vacant. Low interest rates and loose mortgage regulations have also inflated prices.

To address this, we can:

Streamline zoning and permitting processes to reduce bureaucratic red tape and expedite the construction of housing units, allowing developers to build more quickly.
Offer incentives and subsidies to encourage the construction of affordable housing, making it financially viable for developers and ultimately more accessible for consumers.
Invest in infrastructure development and transportation to open up new areas for construction, reducing land scarcity and promoting affordable housing supply.
Implement taxes on empty homes.
Regulate short-term rentals.
Review homeowner subsidies.
Tighten mortgage regulations.
Accurately include housing costs in inflation statistics.

By taking these steps, we can create a fair and sustainable housing market in Kelowna that benefits all residents.

The free market can work for everyone when aligned with our community's needs. I'm dedicated to ensuring that it does. As your representative, I'll champion these changes to revitalize our housing market in Kelowna.

Crime

In Kelowna, safety is paramount, and we must address the pressing concerns surrounding violent criminals, thieves, and drug dealers. The high levels of recidivism and the pervasive sense of insecurity within our community demand a firm response.

As a candidate for a provincial government seat in British Columbia, I firmly believe in the importance of law and order while recognizing the need for rehabilitation when possible. To strike the right balance, we need to take a more resolute stance on addressing these issues:

Violent Criminals: We cannot tolerate the presence of violent criminals in our neighbourhoods. Public safety is non-negotiable. Our approach will involve stricter sentencing for violent offences, ensuring those threatening our community are kept off our streets. At the same time, we will explore effective rehabilitation programs for those willing to reform, offering them a chance to reintegrate as law-abiding citizens.
Thieves: Theft is a violation of personal property and a breach of trust within our community. To combat theft, we will work on implementing deterrents, such as increased policing and community watch programs. We'll also focus on diversion programs for non-violent offenders, helping them address the root causes of their criminal behaviour.
Drug Dealers: The presence of drug dealers not only fuels crime but also undermines the well-being of our residents. Our strategy will involve stricter enforcement against drug dealers while emphasizing addiction treatment and mental health support. We need to address the underlying issues that lead individuals into the drug trade while ensuring our streets are free from the scourge of drug-related crime.
Recidivism: To reduce recidivism rates, we'll invest in rehabilitation and reintegration programs that equip individuals with the skills and support needed to transition back into society successfully. This includes job training, mental health services, and addiction treatment, focusing on addressing the root causes of criminal behaviour.

To effectively deter criminal behaviour in Kelowna, we should rely on scientific evidence regarding human behaviour and how individuals perceive the costs, risks, and rewards of engaging in illegal activities. Here are the key points to consider:

Certainty of Capture is a Powerful Deterrent: Research consistently shows that the certainty of being caught for criminal activities is a more effective deterrent than the severity of the punishment itself. Strengthening the perception that criminals will face consequences for their actions through vigilant policing and swift responses is essential.
Prison Sentences Have Limited Deterrent Effect: While prisons serve the essential purposes of punishment and incapacitation, they are not highly effective at deterring future criminal behaviour, especially for individuals facing lengthy sentences. In some cases, prisons may even contribute to criminal recidivism, making exploring alternative approaches to rehabilitation and reintegration crucial.
Effectiveness of Policing: Law enforcement agencies can significantly deter crime by increasing the perception among criminals that they will be caught and held accountable. Strategies like hot spot policing, which involve a visible police presence, can be particularly effective. The presence of law enforcement officers can influence behaviour more than the threat of increased penalties.
Severity of Punishment: Simply increasing the severity of punishment does not significantly deter crime. Research suggests that short to moderate prison sentences may have some deterrent effect for most convicted criminals. However, longer terms offer limited additional benefits and come with high social and economic costs.
Age as a Deterrent Factor: People tend to naturally age out of criminal behaviour, with a notable decline in illegal activity around age 35. This age-related decline suggests that more severe or lengthy prison sentences for older individuals, who are already less likely to commit crimes due to their age, may not be the most cost-effective way to deter future offences.

Our approach to deterring criminal behaviour in Kelowna should be informed by scientific research and a focus on the certainty of capture rather than solely relying on the severity of punishment. By embracing evidence-based strategies and considering age-related factors, we can work toward a safer and more secure community for all residents.