City council strips Kamloops B.C. mayor of ability to speak on behalf of the city
![Kamloops Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson Kamloops Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson is seen in an image from the website Hamer4Mayor.com.](/content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2023/3/17/kamloops-mayor-reid-hamer-jackson-1-6318798-1679104307454.jpeg)
The mayor of Kamloops will no longer speak for the city, after council passed a resolution stripping him of his position as its official spokesman.
The decision comes after more than a year of conflict between Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson, council, and city staff, including allegations that the mayor has poor communication skills, won't accept responsibility, ignores confidentiality protocols, and misunderstands the rules around conflict of interest.
A report to council last month, by former Abbotsford mayor Henry Braun, found that without significant change in how Hamer-Jackson interacts with others, Braun is "not optimistic that there will be any improvement during the remainder of this term."
The report, which comes with more than a dozen recommendations for improving the situation, says Hamer-Jackson's position has consistently been that he has done nothing wrong, made no mistakes and has nothing to apologize for.
The resolution made in a closed-door meeting on May 14 and described in a news release Tuesday says the mayor has "repeatedly demonstrated that he is not willing to reflect the will of council."
Under the resolution, the rotating deputy mayor for the month will be the official spokesperson for Kamloops.
"In face of challenges, our council remains confident in our ability to govern effectively and lead our city forward," the statement from the city says.
"These measures signify Council’s resolve to maintain trust and transparency in our leadership. We will move forward with confidence and continue to put the interests of the community ahead of our own, knowing our actions will reinforce ethical governance."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 29, 2024.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
![](https://www.ctvnews.ca/polopoly_fs/1.6971614.1721493887!/httpImage/image.jpg_gen/derivatives/landscape_800/image.jpg)
Hazmat response to north London, Ont. apartment complex
Circumstances around a deceased individual in an apartment raise concerns for first responders.
Workplace habit of 'coffee badging' prompts reported new policy at Amazon
The term 'coffee badging' has gained some new significance this week with multiple outlets reporting Amazon is allegedly taking measures to counter the workplace trend it refers to.
Secret Service chief noted a 'zero fail mission.' After Trump rally, she's facing calls to resign
When Kimberly Cheatle led the Secret Service's operations to safeguard the American president and other dignitaries, she said she would talk to agents in training about the 'awesome responsibility' of their job.
NEW THIS MORNING How to protect yourself from West Nile virus
It's been a hot, humid and wet summer so far in Ottawa, making it the perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes and elevating the risk of West Nile virus.
Meet some of the world's cleanest pigs, raised to grow kidneys and hearts for humans
The first gene-edited pig organs ever transplanted into people came from animals born on this special research farm in the Blue Ridge mountains..
Russia says it scrambled fighter jets to intercept U.S. bomber planes over Barents Sea
Russia said Sunday it scrambled fighter jets to intercept two U.S. military long-range bomber aircraft that approached the Russian border over the Barents Sea in the Arctic.
Canadian musicians struggle to get visas to perform in the U.S., some cancel shows
Backlogs and processing delays of temporary U.S. visas required by entertainers, athletes and artists has forced some Canadian bands to cancel U.S. tour dates because paperwork wasn't processed in time.
Norris takes pole ahead of McLaren teammate Piastri at Hungarian GP. Verstappen starting 3rd
McLaren pair Lando Norris and Oscar Piastri locked out the Hungarian Grand Prix front row ahead of Formula 1 leader Max Verstappen after a stellar qualifying session for the British team on Saturday.
Israel shoots down a missile fired from Yemen hours after an Israeli strike on Houthi rebels
The Israeli military said it intercepted a missile fired from Yemen early Sunday, hours after Israeli warplanes struck several Houthi targets in the Arabian peninsula country.