Author: Sean Brady
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New Majority focuses on younger voters
Youth focused get-out-the-vote group New Majority has undertaken work in Kamloops in an attempt to boost turnout for the upcoming municipal election. While get-out-the-vote work is common in federal and provincial elections, little has been done to help boost municipal election turnout, which has historically hovered around 30 percent. But among youth, that number is…
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KCA work currently under budget
An early progress report on the Kamloops Centre for the Arts indicates the project is currently $5 million under budget. Matt Kachel, the city’s infrastructure delivery divisional manager, provided an update on two major projects to council on Sept . 1. Kachel said the under-budget report stems from tender results coming in under budget, certain…
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Changes to remuneration for council
Council has approved changes to the city’s council remuneration policy, converting it from a policy to a bylaw — a move the city said will increase transparency and strengthen accountability. The conversion does not affect salaries for mayor or council, but it does increase the annual maximum expense allowance from $5,000 to $8,000. It also…
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RIH cardiac unit to reopen next year
Interior Health will be reopening a long-closed cardiac care unit at Royal Inland Hospital in early 2027. The work involves moving the four-bed unit and integrating it into the hospital’s intensive care unit (ICU). Along with that work, Interior Health said it will also be investing in cardiac care education for new staff, as well…
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More than 35 candidates currently running in civic election
More than 35 people have put their names forward for mayor, council, or school trustee ahead of the upcoming general local elections, which will take place on Oct. 17. Candidates won’t be official until declared by the city’s chief election officer on Sept. 11, but many have already announced their intention to run. Three candidates…
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Kamloops gas prices to be investigated
Gas prices investigated The B.C. Utilities Commission (BCUC) announced in July it will investigate gasoline prices in Kamloops. “Concerns have been raised about market fluctuations between the Kamloops region and the nearby Kelowna region,” reads a news release from the utility regulator. A notice posted online says the regulator has been asked to examine the…
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Mike Bernier to lead new BC political party, CentreBC
There’s a lot of work ahead for Mike Bernier, who has just taken the reins of B.C.’s newest political party, CentreBC. The party’s emergence comes after nearly 10 years of the NDP in power, the collapse of the B.C. Liberals, and the election of a new leader for the B.C. Conservatives, who according to Bernier,…
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Council approves housing; struggles with water
Kamloops city council met at two regular meetings in June, discussing a major housing development, the results of two alternative approval process counter-petitions, new restrictions for overnight shelters, and a retrospective on the major water main break in May, including lessons learned. Agreement on major housing development Council gave its stamp of approval to a…
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Pathways shelter extension approved
Kamloops city council has approved a 20-month extension for the 44-bed Pathways shelter on Tranquille Road, following a six-hour meeting focused on the matter, with hundreds in attendance on April 21. Feedback from those attending was divided, with about half speaking in favour of keeping the shelter open and half hoping council would not renew…
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Petition says property taxes unpaid
Credit union seeking foreclosure or sale of mayor’s commercial property Beem Credit Union has filed a petition in B.C. Supreme Court seeking foreclosure on, or sale of, the mayor’s West Victoria Street car lot, claiming Reid Hamer-Jackson’s Tru Market Truck and Auto Sales has defaulted on its loan agreement. According to the petition, Beem is…