File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By James Peters

Kamloops Council

City staff to look into AAP notification mailouts after rare agreement between Kamloops mayor, councillors

Jul 30, 2025 | 8:16 AM

KAMLOOPS — A discussion on alternative approval processes (AAP) for borrowing Tuesday (July 29) brought a rare opportunity for Kamloops councillors to get on the same page as the mayor.

Before discussing bylaw changes regarding deployment of future AAPs, council heard from Nicholas McCaffrey, representing the community group Kamloops Citizens United (KCU).

McCaffrey said the changes move the city in the wrong direction.

“Instead of rebuilding trust, city hall is dodging accountability by tightening control and removing the need for genuine public consent,” said McCaffrey. “The revised AAP language doesn’t resolve those concerns — it locks them in, making it even more difficult for residents to have a say in how their money is spent. People should be involved in the decision, not informed after the fact.”

Corporate Officer Maria Mazzotta noted the city has a practice of going over and above the requirements of the bylaw, including advertising all public notices on CFJC Today. McCaffrey suggested a mailout to property owners.

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“A city that truly respects its diverse community — seniors, low-income residents and those without internet or who aren’t online often — would send electoral-style mailouts to notify residents of a potential need to vote, the same as it does for tax and utility bills. This would ensure equal access and accessibility for all,” he said.

While the wording change was ultimately passed, Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson moved that staff research the costs of a community-wide mailout to inform voters of a potential AAP.

“I wonder if we could look into that?” said Hamer-Jackson. “I think it would be really fair to have that many property owners (notified) and I think it would [help us avoid] a lot of problems.”

Hamer-Jackson’s motions are rarely seconded at council. In this case, though, it was not only seconded by Councillor Katie Neustaeter, but it passed unanimously.

“I don’t disagree with the fact that there should be a stronger decision-making policy before an AAP is deployed,” said Neustaeter. “I’m certainly supportive of the idea of a mailout, as well. It’s still significant cost savings (when compared with a referendum).”

“Could that be considered a mailout that could go with our utility bill so we’re not duplicating or sending something separately out that someone missed?” asked Councillor Bill Sarai. “If it’s in our quarterly or maybe monthly utility bill, could that be something we would be looking into?”

In BC, municipalities can gain public assent for major borrowing by either surveying voters in a referendum or by conducting an AAP, which requires 10 per cent of voters to formally oppose borrowing. If that happens, the municipality must either cancel the initiative or launch a referendum.

An AAP that took place in 2024 gained voter approval for the city to borrow $275 million for the first phase of its Build Kamloops strategy.

KCU member Kathrine Wunderlich sued the city, saying it had not met its legal requirements to notify residents of the voting opportunity. BC Supreme Court Justice Joel Groves sided with the city but noted the “skepticism and concern” many residents expressed around the AAP could be taken as a warning that residents expect a full referendum when the city plans significant borrowing for major projects.