Court hearing on costs between Kamloops mayor, councillor concludes; judge reserves decision

Hamer-Jackson says Neustaeter is basing her allegations that he targeted her on instances such as the mayor not suing the remaining seven councillors following a public statement on behalf of council in 2023. Other instances Hamer-Jackson brought up include him not attending a special closed council meeting to indemnify Neustaeter’s legal bills, receiving an affidavit from Neustaeter’s estranged brother in support of him and attaching a voicemail from Neustaeter’s father Kevin Krueger in an email to councillors to prove he wasn’t harassing him.

Hamer-Jackson also claims Neustaeter wants him to pay damages because he subpoenaed people to be witnesses in his case and asked for affidavits. He acknowledges he’s had issues finding legal representation and representing himself in court, and wasn’t doing an improper job on purpose. However, B.C. Supreme Court Justice Jacqueline Hughes mentioned Neustaeter’s lawyer’s position, where he wrote to the mayor about that conduct and how it continued afterward.

There were legal speed bumps that slowed down the pace in court. Related to reputational harm for the costs hearing, Hamer-Jackson attempted to attach two affidavits, one from his wife and another from his daughter, that were inadmissible during the lawsuit due to them being filed late.

Justice Hughes told Hamer-Jackson she is limited by the findings in her previous judgement, and the mayor can’t re-litigate that specific point of reputational harm during the costs hearing.

Hamer-Jackson claims damages aren’t appropriate because Neustaeter hasn’t proved bad faith or improper purpose in his lawsuit. When Hamer-Jackson said the court found his claim had substantial merit, Justice Hughes said Neustaeter’s lawyer conceded the merit for the purpose of his client’s Protection of Public Participation Act application, which is different from an admission by the court.

Justice Hughes reserved her decision after proceedings wrapped up Wednesday morning. A future court date for her ruling on costs was not set.

Neustaeter is seeking legal costs from Hamer-Jackson, in addition to $10,000 in damages. Shortly after Hamer-Jackson filed his initial defamation lawsuit in 2023, Kamloops council voted to indemnify Neustaeter, meaning taxpayers will be on the hook for her legal bills if she is not awarded costs.

Hamer-Jackson’s claim was dismissed in January 2026 on the grounds that a public statement on behalf of council in 2023 was within qualified privilege.

by Aaron Schulze

Court hearing on costs between Kamloops mayor, councillor concludes; judge reserves decision

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