Dale Bass (left), Sadie Hunter and Kathy Sinclair have been collaborating more in the hopes of ensuring important issues are dealt with and resolved (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Chad Klassen

City council

Trio of Kamloops women councillors hoping collaboration leads to more change in city

Mar 2, 2021 | 4:23 PM

KAMLOOPS — They’re not calling it an official partnership, but the trio of Dale Bass, Sadie Hunter and Kathy Sinclair feel, as the only women on council, it’s important to band together.

“[It’s] progressive, somewhat visionary,” said Bass. “It’s fair to say we don’t always agree on everything, but we find a way to discuss things and come up with some solutions.”

Sinclair added, “We have conversations outside of council meetings. Less than five of us for sure because five councillors is a quorum. Just in conversation, sometimes on the weekend, we’ll be chatting about something, we’ll be chatting about the overdose crisis or street issues, for example.”

It was these three councillors who brought forward a motion on social issues last month, one of two motions they’ve collaborated on.

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“It just seemed to make sense for us to really want to emphasize how important those particular issues are,” said Hunter. “We felt maybe this would be a good approach to highlight that and to elevate it even in the public realm.”

“If we bring it forward in a different way than it’s done traditionally by the three of us bringing it forward, then it would highlight how important it is. Not to say it’s not important to everyone, but just to really gain that attention that we’re trying to do something and find a solution.”

Political pundit and former mayor of Kamloops Mel Rothenburger says the union might bring about more change.

“I like to see creativity within our politicians who look at issues and look for ways to resolve them and are willing to go at it from a different direction,” he said.

The one common thread among Bass, Hunter and Sinclair is all three want to get things done.

“I think the thing that probably characterizes us is that we tend to be a little impatient and we like to see things get done a little faster than normal,” noted Bass.

Sinclair added, “We want to see change happen and I think the fact that we’re often chatting about this stuff on weekends gives you an idea of how committed to our roles we are.”

Ahead of International Women’s Day on March 8, the three want to inspire other women to think long and hard about taking a run at politics.