Federal Election Vote Pop-Up & Town Hall Meeting Hosted by OCCA
2025-04-17 14:00 - 16:00 (America/Vancouver) | Kelowna Downtown Library | ORL Branch, 1380 Ellis St, Kelowna, BC, V1Y 2A2, Canada
As part of its civic engagement efforts, OCCA Communities Association is hosting a Federal Election Vote Pop-Up and Town Hall Meeting on Thursday, April 17, 2025. The event will bring together confirmed candidates to connect directly with the community ahead of the federal election. All candidates from both the Kelowna and Okanagan Lake West–Kelowna South ridings have been invited to participate.
The town hall will take place from 2:00 PM to 4:00 PM (with doors opening at 1:30 PM) in the Great Room, second floor of the Kelowna Downtown Library, located at 1380 Ellis Street.
Confirmed candidates include:

Stephen Fuhr – Liberal Party of Canada (Kelowna)
Tracy Gray – Conservative Party of Canada (Kelowna)
Trevor McAleese – New Democratic Party (Kelowna)
Harpreet Badohal – New Democratic Party (Okanagan Lake West–South Kelowna)
Gary Suddard – Canadian Future Party (Okanagan Lake West–South Kelowna)

This non-partisan event is free and open to the public and is designed to engage a wide cross-section of the community, including first-time voters, immigrants, seniors, and individuals from multicultural and marginalized backgrounds. The program will feature pre-submitted questions, which will be shared with candidates in advance, followed by a live Q&A session to allow for direct voter engagement.
To further support community engagement, OCCA will also distribute a Federal Election Voting Toolkit, which includes step-by-step instructions for first-time voters, along with information on Canada’s democratic system and how to participate in elections.
Building on the success of OCCA’s 2024 Provincial Vote Pop-Up and Town Hall, this federal edition continues the organization’s commitment to empowering voters, encouraging informed decision-making, and promoting civic inclusion across all communities.
While no registration is required to attend the event, we encourage individuals who wish to submit questions for the candidates or request special accommodations to RSVP by Tuesday, April 15, via the Question Submission Platform.
About OCCA Communities Association:
The OCCA Communities Association is a registered charity and non-profit umbrella organization serving multicultural communities across the Central Okanagan, including Kelowna, West Kelowna, Peachland, and Lake Country, with our region spanning nearly 100 kilometers, from Peachland to Vernon. We offer services to everyone, and our virtual programs reach rural areas across the Okanagan, committing to fostering an inclusive, vibrant, and equitable society where immigrants, refugees, and equity-deserving groups can thrive and meaningfully contribute to building a sustainable community.

Connect with Service Canada: Learn About the New Dental Care Plan and More Sevices
2025-04-23 10:30 - 12:30 | Kelowna Downtown Library | ORL Branch, 1380 Ellis St, Kelowna, BC, V1Y 2A2, Canada
OCCA is excited to partner with Service Canada to bring important federal services directly to our community!
📅 Event Date: Wednesday, April 23, 2025🕥 Time: 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM (Information Session)🕦 1-on-1 Support: 11:30 AM – 12:30 PM📍 Location: Kelowna Downtown Library, 1380 Ellis Street, Second Floor
Join us to learn more about the Canadian Dental Care Plan (CDCP):

Who is currently eligible to apply, and how does the phased-in approach work
What services and procedures are covered
Who administers the insurance
Renewal process for existing members
Live Q&A session with Service Canada representatives

🗣️ Need help with more than just dental?From 11:30 AM to 12:30 PM, get personalized 1-on-1 support for questions related to:

Dental benefits
Pensions
Employment Insurance
Other Service Canada programs

💬 No registration is needed — just drop in and get the answers you need!For more information, contact Service Canada at 1-833-537-4342 (Monday to Friday, 8:30 AM – 4:30 PM).
Let’s work together to connect our community with the services that matter most. We look forward to seeing you there!

Qing Ming Festival Cultural Gathering
2025-04-29 16:00 - 17:30 | Kelowna Memorial Park Cemetery, 1991 Bernard Avenue, Kelowna, BC, V1Y 9V7
OCCA is pleased to collaborate with the City of Kelowna to co-host a Qing Ming Festival Cultural Gathering, honouring tradition and celebrating the legacy of Chinese pioneers in the Central Okanagan.
This meaningful event is a wonderful opportunity to:

Learn about the Qing Ming tradition
Reflect on and commemorate the Chinese pioneers who helped shape our local history
Discover more about the Chinese community’s contributions to the region

The gathering will be facilitated by Mr. Shui Lee from the Chinese Freemasons. Following the ceremonial tribute and historical storytelling, participants are invited to enjoy a shared roast pig and picnic together.
Date & Time: Tuesday, April 29, 2025
Location: Kelowna Memorial Park Cemetery, 1991 Bernard Avenue, Kelowna, BC, V1Y 9V7
Parking: Free roadside parking is available.
Please note: There are no washroom facilities on site.
Directions: When you arrive at the cemetery entrance, drive straight to the end. On the left-hand side, you will see a blue-roofed Chinese pavilion, which marks the gathering spot.
We look forward to seeing you there as we honour the past and celebrate our cultural heritage together.
Special thanks to our sponsor: Dignity Memorial funeral, cremation and cemetery providers are proud to offer unmatched services to families of all beliefs and backgrounds.

清明节文化聚会通知
OCCA 很荣幸与基洛纳市政府合作，联合举办一次清明节文化聚会，共同传承传统文化，缅怀和纪念在中奥肯那根地区作出贡献的华人先驱。
这是一个充满意义的活动，您将有机会:
• 了解清明节的传统与文化
• 缅怀为本地历史发展做出贡献的华人先驱
• 深入了解华人社区在本地区的历史与贡献
本次活动和仪式将由洪门的李瑞栋先生主持。在祭拜仪式和历史讲述结束后，欢迎大家一同分享烤乳猪和便餐。
日期与时间： 2025年4月29日（星期二）
地点： Kelowna纪念公墓（Kelowna Memorial Park Cemetery）
地址：1991 Bernard Avenue, Kelowna, BC, V1Y 9V7
停车信息： 公路旁可免费停车
请注意： 公墓内无洗手间设施
路线说明： 抵达公墓入口后，请直行至尽头。左侧可见一座蓝色屋顶的中式亭阁，即为聚会地点。
我们诚挚期待您的到来，一同缅怀先人、弘扬中华文化！
特别感谢赞助单位：Dignity Memorial 殡葬服务机构为来自不同信仰和背景的家庭提供专业、周到的殡仪、火化及墓园服务。
