New investigation finds Kamloops mayor breached code of conduct for a fourth time

“I haven’t been charged with anything. I’m just defending myself so thank you,” said Hamer-Jackson during the Nov. 26 meeting after being made aware of his potential conflict.

“Have you spoken to a lawyer in regards to your conflict of interest on this application,” asked City of Kamloops Corporate Officer Maria Mazzotta.

“Yes, thank you,” responded Hamer-Jackson.

“Okay so you need to state on the record your general reasons why you are no longer in conflict on this,” stated Mazzotta.

“Because I haven’t,” began Hamer-Jackson. “This application has never come forward, and again I haven’t been charged with anything, I’m just defending myself, so thank you.”

Despite that warning from city staff, Hamer-Jackson was present when people had the ability to speak about the temporary use permit for proposed project. He was also present for the debate and was the lone council member to vote against the measure.

The notion that Hamer-Jackson was only defending himself and had previously erred in recusing himself after initiating the defamation suit was not found to be of consequence.

“I have already noted the nature of the lawsuit, which is of a serious character,” wrote Harding. “Whether or not the Mayor believed that it was filed for a defensive purpose is irrelevant. The accusations the Mayor makes in the lawsuit regarding Mr. Knaak’s statements are sufficient to create a public perception of a lack of impartiality as regards the Mayor’s exercise of public powers in relation to the principal of the applicant, Mr. Knaak.”

The latest breach comes with new sanctions against Hamer-Jackson and up to an additional 30 per cent deduction in his already cut mayoral salary.

Council Resolutions

At the July 29, 2025, closed meeting, pursuant to section 4.35 of the Code of Conduct bylaw, Council directed that the appropriate censures, sanctions, corrective actions, and/or other measures warranted by the Breach are as follows:

Within 7 business days from the date on which the City delivers notice of Council’s July 29, 2025 resolution to him, Mayor Hamer-Jackson must provide to Council a general description of the legal advice he claims to have had on November 26, 2024, together with some objective form of proof, such as confirmation from a lawyer duly qualified to practice law in British Columbia.
1. If Mayor Hamer-Jackson fails to provide the objective proof required in paragraph (1) within the stipulated timeline, the remuneration to which he would otherwise be entitled will be automatically reduced by ten percent (10%) until such time as he complies with the requirement.
Mayor Hamer-Jackson must sign and deliver a letter of apology to Joshua Knaak, in a form and with content approved by Council, within thirty (30) calendar days from the date on which the draft letter of apology is delivered to Mayor Hamer-Jackson.
1. If Mayor Hamer-Jackson fails to sign and deliver the letter of apology required in paragraph (2) within the stipulated timeline, the remuneration to which he would otherwise be entitled will be automatically reduced by a further ten percent (10%) until such time as he complies with the requirement.
Within sixty (60) calendar days from the date on which the City delivers notice of Council’s July 29, 2025 resolution to him, Mayor Hamer-Jackson must take mandatory training on his obligations under the Community Charter and the Local Government Act, including with respect to conflicts of interest and his oath of office.
1. If Mayor Hamer-Jackson fails to take the mandatory training required in paragraph (3) within the stipulated timeline, the remuneration to which he would otherwise be entitled will be automatically reduced by a further ten percent (10%) until such time as he complies with the requirement.
A public censure of Mayor Hamer-Jackson by Council will be published on the Council Leadership and Accountability page of the City’s website, along with all other outstanding censures of Mayor Hamer-Jackson by Council that have not yet been published.

Mayor Hamer-Jackson was provided with notice of Council’s July 29, 2025 on August 1, 2025.

CFJC Today has confirmed that the mayor has not provided a general description of the legal advice he received ahead of the Nov. 2024 meeting in the seven days granted to avoid a 10 per cent salary cut.

Hamer-Jackson still has time to issue a letter of apology and take mandatory training to avoid another 20 per cent reduction in pay.

According to the city, this investigation has cost taxpayers $29,863.65.

Harding noted in his full report that the mayor did not cooperate in the investigation against him.

“Despite the many instances in which I gave him opportunities to be heard, both written and verbal, he mostly chose to send email or text message responses that did not address the issues in the complaint. Rather, these focused on my role as investigator in previous investigations, along with his own perception of past events,” reads the report.

The full investigation report can be read here.

by Michael Reeve

New investigation finds Kamloops mayor breached code of conduct for a fourth time

Council Resolutions

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