Issues That Matter

Exploring Kamloops and Beyond

Insights from the Kamloops Critic

Dive into a world of perspectives where local and global issues are dissected through a critical lens. Discover what makes Kamloops tick and how it connects to broader narratives.

Latest Discussions and Insights

Stealth Promotion Amid Tax Pain: Kamloops Grows Management While Residents Tighten Belts

by | January 24, 2026 | Budget 2026, Build Kamloops, City Hall | 0 Comments

At a time when Kamloops residents are bracing for significant tax increases, job insecurity, and the rising cost of simply staying afloat, the City appears to have quietly done what it does best: expand management — without bothering to tell anyone. Buried inside the...
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The Photo Controversy: Was This Ever About a Slideshow — or About Control?

by | January 21, 2026 | City Council, City of Kamloops, Code of Conduct, Reid Hamer-Jackson | 0 Comments

Guest commentary for KamloopsCritic.ca When Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson issued a public letter on January 14, 2026 rejecting Council’s demand that he sign an apology over the cancelled March 2024 State of the City slideshow, most coverage treated it as another chapter in...
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Kamloops Citizens Shut Out of Council Accountability Process, City Confirms

by | January 20, 2026 | City Hall, Code of Conduct, Kelly Hall | 1 Comment

The City of Kamloops has confirmed that citizens are barred from accessing Council’s Code of Conduct complaint process. The accountability system now exists entirely behind closed doors.

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Kamloops Councillor Kelly Hall Faces Code of Conduct Complaint Over January 13 Council Meeting Conduct

by | January 18, 2026 | Code of Conduct, Kelly Hall | 0 Comments

A formal Code of Conduct complaint has been submitted against Kamloops City Councillor Kelly Hall following the January 13, 2026 Regular Council Meeting, alleging a pattern of conduct inconsistent with Council’s own governance standards while he presided as Chair. The...
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Kamloops Council Suspends Public Input Again — Blame the Mayor

by | January 14, 2026 | City Council, Local Government | 1 Comment

Less a Debate About Public Engagement, More a Diagnostic Session on the Mayor On December 9, 2024, Kamloops City Council revisited the contentious motion to suspend Public Input (formerly called Public Inquiries). What initially appeared as a debate about citizen...
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Weaponizing Accountability: How Kamloops’ Code of Conduct Process Is Failing Taxpayers

by | January 7, 2026 | Byron McCorkell, City Council, City Hall, Code of Conduct, Reid Hamer-Jackson | 2 Comments

When a system designed to protect the public interest becomes a tool of attrition, accountability itself is at risk. Introduction: Accountability or Attrition? Codes of Conduct exist to ensure ethical governance, protect the public interest, and maintain trust in...
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Why the O’Reilly Case Matters to Kamloops Residents

by | December 31, 2025 | Arena Multiplex, Build Kamloops, Mike O'Reilly | 2 Comments

When Multitasking Goes Too Far Kamloops City Councillor Mike O’Reilly wore many hats. Councillor. Chair of the Build Kamloops Select Committee. CEO, President, and shareholder of Comet Industries. Individually, none of those roles are improper. Taken together — and...
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A Case for New Administrative Leadership at Kamloops City Hall

by | December 26, 2025 | City Hall, Kamloops Politics, Local Government | 2 Comments

Confidence in Kamloops City Hall is eroding. This article makes the case for new administrative leadership, focusing on governance, transparency, and public trust—not personalities.

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Building the Kamloops PAC Without Enough Parking

by | December 21, 2025 | City of Kamloops, PAC | 0 Comments

Parking Was Never a Side Issue The Kamloops Performing Arts Centre (PAC), also known as the Kamloops Centre for the Arts, has been promoted as a cornerstone of downtown revitalization and a cultural legacy project. But from the very beginning, one fundamental issue...
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Well “Play”ed Kamloops City Council

by | December 10, 2025 | City Council | 1 Comment

We were played by Council during their meeting November 4th, 2025. The name of the play could have been “Let’s Pretend to Support the Mayor’s Motion While Rendering it Useless”. No wonder Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson seemingly opposed his own motion. By the end of the...
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