You can’t help but wonder what goes through Kamloops Councillor Dale Bass’ mind sometimes. After having no idea what she seconded in a TNRD meeting in July, Bass surprises us again. And I don’t mean in a good way.
Name-Calling
Bass seems to have no issue with calling people names. She recently replied to a Kamloops resident’s Facebook post with a single word: “Idiot”.
Code Of Conduct
No one should be more knowledgable about the Code of Conduct Bylaw No. 53 than Bass. After all, she has filed many complaints, if not the majority of them, against the Mayor.
Section 3.1d states that a Member shall not Bully or Harass another person. Section 1.5d states that Bullying and Harassment includes:
any other unwelcome or objectionable conduct or comment by a Member toward another person that causes that individual to be humiliated or intimidated, including verbal aggression or insults, making derogatory comments, including questioning the professional competence of a Member, Staff, or Volunteer, calling someone derogatory names, or spreading malicious and untrue rumours
Sounds like a clear breach of the Code of Conduct to me.
If that’s not enough, we can look at section 3.3a which states that a Council Member shall not breach their oath sworn upon taking office as a Council Member. And that Oath of Office includes “I will be respectful of others“.
Again, calling a member of the public “Idiot” sounds like a clear breach to be.
Stupid
Bass chaired a TNRD Policy and Governance Committee meeting on Sep 10, 2025. Towards the end of the meeting, Bass addresses the CAO with the following:
Did you want to say anything, CAO? You were just reminding me I’m stupid too. Thank you.
I’m not sure who she was referring to when she said “too“. Did she mean herself, or the CAO? I’m assuming she meant herself. There’s no way she’d call the CAO stupid? Would she?
Don’t Want To Be Here
After shocking the TNRD by seconding a motion and openly admitting she had no idea what she seconded, Bass takes it a step further.
During the same Policy and Governance Committee meeting above, Bass made a slight error in agenda items.
You have the next item too, bylaw investigation and enforcement. Did we not deal with that? You can tell I don’t want to be here. Moved. by Director Thorpe, seconded by Chair Roden. Any discussion? All those in favor? Any opposed? Carried.
Now this must have been concerning to the TNRD, as the words “You can tell I don’t want to be here.” have been edited out of the video.
Editing the video raises questions about TNRD transparency. I’ve reached out for an explanation. Fortunately, we managed to acquire an audio clip for your shock and/or entertainment:
Edit Sep 19, 2025
TNRD CAO Scott Hildebrand has advised that the edit was the result of a miscommunication and the original video has been restored. I am very satisfied with his response, and I appreciate his statement:
The TNRD is committed to transparency; we continue to strive to make information readily available, such as the sharing of all Board and Committee recordings.
Move Aside
Since Bass doesn’t want to be there, it’s time for her to remove herself from the TNRD board. It’s time to put the Mayor back on the board.
Pecuniary Interest
Fancy words, but basically pecuniary refers to financial. By removing the Mayor from the TNRD board, Council had to replace him. City representation on the TNRD board consists of 7 directors and an alternate.
As Councillor Stephen Karpuk replaced the Mayor, he now earns an extra $18,140 per year. Whether intended or not, this has created a situation where a councillor has a clear financial interest in and benefits from this sanction against the Mayor. I can’t imagine Karpuk would be too eager to give up this extra income.
Recommendation?
I’d recommend a code of conduct complaint against Bass, but what good would it do? And what would it cost taxpayers? Another $10,000 to $60,000? The only one who seems to come out ahead on these complaints is Reece Harding, who has investigated almost all of the code of conduct complaints during this council’s term.
I’d be satisfied with Bass being replaced by the Mayor on the TNRD board. What would you recommend?
Election 2026
The next election is October 17, 2026. If you were considering voting for Dale Bass, please reconsider.
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