File photo (image credit - CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

KAMLOOPS COUNCIL

‘Not going to apologize for something I didn’t do’; Kamloops mayor stands by defense of Code of Conduct violation

Jun 13, 2024 | 6:00 PM

KAMLOOPS — A Code of Conduct complaint dating back to last July has led Kamloops city council to dock the mayor’s pay. The breach was first reported by Councillor Katie Neustaeter. She alleged the mayor made misleading statements to the public.

An investigation found the mayor had committed a breach, saying his evidence in the matter was not credible.

If the mayor of Kamloops wants to recoup the 10 per cent of his salary which has been docked for the next six months, he would need to publicly apologize, but that won’t be happening.

“No, I’m not going to apologize for something I didn’t do,” Reid Hamer-Jackson told CFJC News. “If people want to make stuff up about you… I’ve known some of these individuals for two years and ever since I met them, (there are allegations that) I grope women, I’m a racist, I’m all these things. It’s not right. And the 10 per cent… I didn’t get into this for the money.”

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Asked twice about the source of the violation, which is listed as “sharing misleading information with the public,” the mayor doubled down on it being about groping allegations.

“You believe this Code of Conduct that they are using, this complaint that was substantiated by the report from the privacy commissioner that we have seen, was in relation to groping? That is what you believe this is about?” the mayor was asked.

“That and you know, I was walking out of a golf course and a guy drove by and yelled out ‘pervert’ to me,” responded Hamer-Jackson.

While acting deputy mayor Nancy Bepple was unable to speak directly to the Code of Conduct violation, after hearing the mayor’s claim, she had a simple suggestion.

“I would invite the mayor to read the documents that were given to him that came from the investigator and leave it at that,” said Bepple.

Bepple noted that the salary reduction was not taken as a first step, and that the mayor signed the Code of Conduct after taking office that showed the process of penalties.

“Everyone on council signed a Code of Conduct,” stated Bepple. “There was a complaint and it was investigated by a third party and it came to council for consideration. The mayor had a chance to review that report. We asked for an apology and it didn’t happen — so it’s about accountability.”

In his defense of the violation that the mayor claims never occurred, he also spoke to the ongoing defamation lawsuit against Neustaeter, tying that open case to the Code of Conduct investigation.

“They shouldn’t be starting a Code of Conduct thing. We have a Supreme Court (case) going. If you look in the Code of Conduct, it says that you shouldn’t be doing this. There is already a court proceeding. We will wait before it gets in front of a real investigation and event,” said Hamer-Jackson.

There is currently no proof to back up the claims that the Code of Conduct issue is in any way related to the court case. It’s unclear if or when the investigation report that found the mayor breached the Code of Conduct will be made public.