It looks like Kamloops City Councillor Margot Middleton put her foot in her mouth recently. She recused herself recently, but chose not to at an earlier date. City Council is quick to investigate Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson for alleged conflicts. How will Council address this conflict? Will they investigate Middleton, or will they choose to ignore this transgression?
Kamloops, We Have A Conflict
Castanet’s Kristen Holliday recently reported that Kamloops City Council decided to push back on a proposed BC Housing project. That project was and may still be planned for the 1200 block of River Street.
As per the statement made by Middleton, she has recused herself from all discussions on the matter. This is due to having an immediate family member who lives in close proximity to the site.
What About That Other Conflict?
Isn’t it strange that Middleton didn’t disclose her conflict of interest Jan 30, 2025? As she sat on the Livability and Sustainability Select Committee that day, she voted on recommendations for improvements on River Street.
What Are The Additional Improvements?
Recommendations include a sidewalk, paving a parking lot, and boulevard improvements. Also included is a Kamloops Community Network (fiber) upgrade to primarily benefit the city HR building at 6-510 Lorne Street and the Sandman Center.
The committee voted to recommend these additional improvements to Council. Assuming Council approves the proposed nice-to-haves, taxpayers will be on the hook for an additional $5,858,000.
1286 River Street
This property is the former home of Interior Community Services Youth Safe House. The city purchased the property at well over the assessed value and tore it down.
In earlier days, this property was home to the Carpe Diem therapeutic group home operated by Kamloops Youth Resources Society. That facility typically housed troubled teens, and those that were considered difficult to place.
According to recent Facebook posts, Middleton’s son Stuart Middleton lives a few houses away.
The Plot Thickens
In a spate of approvals of controversial and opposed facilities and property variances, why is City Council opposing this particular facility and location?
Will There Be Accountability?
Council recently decided that Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson will be investigated for an alleged conflict of interest. Will Councillor Middleton be held to the same standard?
Update: Middleton Addresses Conflict
Kudos to Councillor Middleton. In a Committee of the Whole meeting Tuesday, March 11, 2025, Middleton made the following statement:
I just would like to make a statement as I have previously recused myself from matters on River Street that have come before council in the past, but I did get a legal opinion on my conflict on River Street. And I’d just like to read what has been prepared.
I do not have any financial interest in any property on River Street directly or indirectly.
While I had previously declared a conflict on River Street matters involving a temporary shelter and a housing development located on those on those matters were factually different from the current issue of the planned infrastructure upgrades.
The planned infrastructure improvements are for the entirety of River Street, an important arterial road and will be for the benefit of the entire electorate of Kamloops.
I have received legal advice and advising that I am not in conflict on the matter of the proposed infrastructure upgrades to River Street.
So I just wanted to get that out there. And that was a follow up to an email that had been sent to city council In one of our meetings where River Street had come up and I did not recuse going back. So I just would like to make that clear.
I’m satisfied with her response. Are you? I’m also satisfied that a similar argument can be applied to Hamer-Jackson’s alleged conflict.
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