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By Michael Reeve

KAMLOOPS COUNCIL

Public input to return to Kamloops council meetings with new restrictions

May 6, 2025 | 5:02 PM

KAMLOOPS — Public input is back on the agenda at regular Kamloops council meetings, beginning at the upcoming May 27 meeting.

There has, however, been a number of changes implemented, including limiting the space to five speakers per meeting, each receiving two minutes to ask a question related to that day’s agenda.

“I don’t know why we are going through all this trouble to make it so hard for the citizens to say a few words when they have concerns,” said Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson.

The mayor was joined by Councillor Katie Neustaeter in voting against the motion, which passed 7-2. Neustaeter did not comment on her reasoning.

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Hamer-Jackson wanted to see council return to the model used at the beginning of their term, of five minutes per speaker and no limit on trips to the podium.

“I would just caution everybody, there is an election coming up and is that the way you are going to run your campaign, to try to make it harder for the public to speak? And like I said, this has been going on for many many councils,” said Hamer-Jackson.

Those wishing to address council during public input will also be required to pre-register, with an opportunity to do so starting at 9:00 a.m. on the Friday before the meeting, which is the same time the agenda is posted to the city’s website.