Image Credit: CFJC Today / Kent Simmonds

By Michael Reeve

CITY HALL LEAKS

Kamloops council restricts mayor’s powers, expresses concern over potential seven-figure liability

Apr 9, 2024 | 5:30 PM

KAMLOOPS — Following the leak of confidential documents from Kamloops city hall, Councillor Mike O’Reilly says he is concerned about the possibility of financial harm to the city. On Friday, Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson gave local media copies of a report that stemmed from an investigation into the mayor’s conduct.

“He has exposed the city to significant potential loss and damage in the form of various types of lawsuits, including constructive dismissal, defamation and breach of privacy,” said O’Reilly. “The cost of defending against these potential lawsuits and the various legal claims, which together involve very substantial monetary liability potentially in excess of $1 million, would ultimately be borne by the taxpayer.”

Responding to a request for comment, O’Reilly, the council’s spokesperson with respect to the leaks, stressed the importance of protecting the city’s employees.

“The city has a legal to duty to ensure a safe workplace for all employees, free of bullying and harassment. Full stop,” punctuated O’Reilly.

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Asked about whether the city is seeking legal recourse against the leakers and what a possible timeline could look like for more information becoming available regarding next steps O’Reilly stated, “No comment.”

What was confirmed was a council move to limit the mayor’s power to suspend staff.

“It was an extraordinary step to protect staff from mistreatment from the mayor. This means the mayor is an inherent conflict of interest regarding these protected staff members, and as such the council procedural bylaw states that whenever the mayor is unable to act for any reason, the deputy mayor must act in his place. Council recognizes the mayor’s conflict of interest regarding the suspension of protected staff members and confirmed he is unable to act due to this conflict,” said O’Reilly.

Despite the ongoing drama, on Tuesday (April 9), council held perfectly normal meeting of council, excluding a brief exchange between Hamer-Jackson and Councillor Katie Neustaeter about the Community Charter and use of power.

“We need to not just interpret that for ourselves, the Community Charter, but we need to understand the implications of it and seek the expertise of people who know better than us before we act,” said Neustaeter during her councillor report.

“Thank you, and I appreciate the accusations,” responded Hamer-Jackson in turn.

While new challenges now exist, O’Reilly is still holding out hope for an improved working relationship — though he says it must start with communication.

“We look forward to the mayor presenting us and working with us, and that door is open. We have another two-and-a-half more years to get through this and none the less we will chart on,” said O’Reilly.