Ahead of the Oct. 17 municipal election, CFJC Today asked candidates for Kamloops City Council to complete a questionnaire, offering voters the chance to evaluate their candidacies.
QUESTIONNAIRE:
Describe yourself, your professional background, and why you’re running for public office in Kamloops?
I’ve called Kamloops home since 1978. I’m a provincial government employee, and for more than 25 years I’ve worked directly alongside seniors, people with disabilities, and people experiencing homelessness, addiction, and mental health challenges. This isn’t a campaign promise for me; it’s a calling. I know people behind the statistics. I know what they need, and I know what hasn’t been working. It’s also personal… I grew up around addiction in my own family and lost my brother to it. I’m running because Kamloops residents deserve better than what they’ve watched at city hall these past four years. I believe a councillor with real frontline experience, genuine respect for residents, and zero interest in political games is exactly what this city needs right now.
What do you think is the biggest issue facing the City of Kamloops and how would you use your elected position to address it?
The toxic drug crisis and how the city has handled it. I’ve spent my campaign interviewing residents and frontline workers about what’s really happening in our shelters, because almost none of that funding is independently audited and when it was raised, council has pushed back, telling the province in 2023 it’s “not interested in a third-party review.” This is a budget issue too: $40.5 million a year on policing, and over 1,000 overdose calls a year for paramedics. I’d push for independent audits of every publicly funded facility, real recovery supports at every shelter, and council pressure through UBCM for real investment in treatment.
Following a term highlighted by infighting and tension at city hall that impacted Kamloops’ public image, how would you ensure civil discourse and good governance would take place between yourself, fellow elected officials and city staff?
Respect has to be a two-way commitment. I’d abide by every part of the Code of Conduct and it should never be used as a weapon against a colleague instead of what it’s actually for. I’d also commit to regular check-ins, so decisions are informed by the people doing the work, and staff feel safe raising concerns instead of staying quiet. I welcome hard questions and respectful debate. The kind of infighting Kamloops has watched these past four years has not been good and left the citizens very disheartened.
Considering recent years of large municipal tax increases in Kamloops, how would you address the city’s tax rate going forward?
Kamloops residents have absorbed three tax increases in a row: 9.5 per cent in 2024, 7.4 per cent in 2025, and 5.7 per cent in 2026. We can’t afford another one. This election means fresh eyes will finally be looking at that budget, and it’s time to go back to basics and slow down on spending. Before asking for more, I want proof the money already being spent is working; a real audit of how the city’s own grant dollars are spent, posted publicly instead of the same groups getting funded every year, and a real core service review so people know what they’re paying for. I’d also push the city to chase provincial and federal grants harder instead of defaulting to more local tax increases
As major infrastructure projects are on the horizon in Kamloops, how would you prefer the city go about gaining the electorate’s approval – via referendum or the alternative approval process (AAP)? Why?
AAP has its place for genuine necessities, but it shouldn’t be used to push through massive, discretionary spending without giving residents a real vote, and that would include a mail out. Necessities I feel is the RCMP detachment, our infrastructure, and the Red Bridge. We need to be taking care of the assets we have. Anything running into the millions in long-term debt for something discretionary deserves a real vote.
What are your thoughts on communication between the City of Kamloops and its residents? Are there areas of improvement you’d like to see?
There’s real room to improve, and it starts with proactive, not reactive communication. I’m committed to hosting regular public town halls where residents can ask questions directly, not just sign up for a five-minute delegation slot. Every grant decision and audit result should be posted publicly. Real communication means listening first and explaining decisions after, not the other way around. Our citizens don’t feel heard and the trust is broken. This needs to be repaired.
