File photo. (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Aaron Schulze

City Hall

Kamloops council defeats mayor’s push to prevent city from hiring councillors’ family members

Feb 4, 2026 | 10:52 AM

KAMLOOPS — Kamloops Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson didn’t find any success in advancing his pair of notices of motion during Tuesday’s (Feb. 3) regular council meeting. 

Attending virtually via Zoom, Hamer-Jackson presented a motion that, if adopted, would direct staff to prepare a report on implementing a policy that prohibits the City of Kamloops from hiring immediate family members of city councillors while those particular councillors are in office. 

The notice of motion was defeated 4-1 with Hamer-Jackson the sole vote in favour. Councillors Stephen Karpuk, Margot Middleton and Mike O’Reilly recused themselves from the vote. Councillor Dale Bass was absent. 

The remaining quartet of councillors opted to vote against the notice of motion, saying it would be discriminatory toward council members’ families and open the city to legal risk. 

Hamer-Jackson said he has concerns about council meetings taking place in the hypothetical scenario of a majority of councillors needing to recuse themselves due to having immediate family members employed by the city. 

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However, while responding a question to Deputy Mayor Nancy Bepple, the city’s corporate officer Maria Mazzotta said there are avenues for the B.C. government to take when a municipal council loses quorum. 

“Never, in a public setting, would we be discussing personnel matters. This meeting would proceed regardless of family relationships of any members of council,” Mazzotta said. “The province intervenes, sometimes by ministerial order, so that the operations of the local government can continue.” 

Earlier in the meeting, Hamer-Jackson presented a motion that would direct the city to discontinue providing paid or catered meals for councillors, senior management and staff attending council and committee meetings. However, no councillor seconded the motion, meaning no discussion or vote took place.