Survey Smells

There was a bad smell in Kamloops on Friday, March 21st, 2025. Maybe it was the “faint whiff of an AAP for the new RCMP station” hinted at by local watchdog group Kamloops Citizens United (KCU).

Once again, the public is questioning the motives of the City of Kamloops, who recently created a survey asking how you’d like to be informed by the city.

What’s Wrong With the Survey?

The main issue is it’s seeking input from those who are already informed. There are so many people in Kamloops who do not actively engage in social media or visit the city website. Having a smartphone or computer does not mean one is using it to search out notifications from the city. How are they expected to find out about and participate in this survey?

The other issue is it doesn’t mention informing residents about AAPs and referendums. A mailout letter should be used for this purpose. Claiming they are saving money is a feeble excuse. An AAP challenge or a poorly attended failed referendum is much more costly. Also, the cost of a mailout is likely a small fraction of the amount the city wants to borrow.

City Wants to Borrow More Money

It comes as no surprise that the city wants to spend more of your money. This time it’s $150 million dollars for a new RCMP building. Thankfully the city requires your approval to borrow that money. We haven’t heard whether the city plans to use an Alternative Approval Process (AAP) or a referendum, but it wouldn’t be surprising if they choose to use an AAP. 

City Concerned About AAP Challenges

After the AAPs for a performing arts center and an arena multiplex were challenged in court, it looks like the city is trying to cover their asses.  

As reported by Castanet:

While Groves sided with the city, he also noted the decision to use an AAP for the Build Kamloops borrowing bylaws was clearly viewed by many “with a degree of skepticism and concern.”

He said this may stand as a warning to council that citizens expect a traditional referendum process for decisions that would result in a significant debt or tax burden.

He noted this was seemingly the first time the City of Kamloops employed the AAP for something as financially significant as these two bylaws, and it should reasonably have expected some pushback from citizens.

Yes, the judge did side with the city, and found their efforts to advise residents was “reasonable”. However, that decision leaves plenty of room for an appeal. Even city staff sees further AAP challenges as a possibility, and asked Council to increase their budget for legal expenses.

It’s quite evident the city did a poor job of informing residents about the AAP. As we no longer have a newspaper with sufficient distribution, the city decided posting notices on their websites was a reasonable way to notify residents. Unfortunately, the city websites had very low engagement and wouldn’t even reach 10% of the residents, which is the threshold for opposing an AAP. 

Numbers did increase during the AAP process, but it’s reasonable to believe local group KCU deserves the credit for increasing those numbers. With limited resources, and the city disqualifying a significant number of oppositions, KCU did the best they could. However, it was not KCU’s job to advise residents. 

While the recent survey makes it look like the city is trying to do a better job of informing residents, it does not mention AAPs or referendums. This raises questions in my mind:

• Is this an oversight?
• Is it to avoid more public backlash?
• Is this just a facade to support a future claim that they sought public input on how it should inform residents?

Should We Approve the RCMP Building Loan?

Absolutely not! If you agree with either of the following points of view, I encourage you to vote No. If an AAP is used, you’ll need to submit an opposition form. If a referendum is used, you’ll need to get out and vote.

1. While the city did manage to get approval to borrow $275 million dollars by using AAPs, they still have the ability to acknowledge the public outrage and hold a referendum. Denying any further borrowing may help encourage the city to hold that referendum before asking to borrow any more money.

2. The city plans to build a new RCMP building, then tear down the existing building to make way for a parkade. Tearing down that building doesn’t make sense, and the city needs to explore other options. Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson recently voiced the same concern and suggested looking at other locations. It came as no surprise that neither Council or staff were willing to support looking at alternative locations. Denying this borrowing request may help encourage the city to seek out a better location.

3. Needs should come before wants. If you NEED a new RCMP building, cancel the borrowing bylaws for the PAC and the multiplex, which are WANTS. In fact, the proposed PAC location would probably be great for a new RCMP building.

Should We Complete the Survey?

Absolutely! On the bright side, this is an opportunity for the informed to provide input to the city. Please complete the survey, found here.

When answering the question “Which of the following would be your preferred method to receive information from the City of Kamloops? (Check all that apply)”, please be sure to check the option “Other (please specify)” and enter something like “I want a mailout letter for any AAPs and referendums”.

When answering the question “What, if anything, do you think that the City could do better in its efforts to communicate with Kamloops residents?”, please enter something like “Inform ALL residents about AAPs and referendums using a mailout letter”.

Lastly, encourage your friends and neighbors to complete the survey as well. Make your voices heard!