Rendering of new RCMP Detachment (image credit - City of Kamloops)

By Michael Reeve

AAP PROCEDURE

Kamloops council considers options to provide mail-outs with upcoming AAP

Sep 9, 2025 | 4:35 PM

KAMLOOPS — Kamloops city council is currently planning to begin four new alternative approval processes (AAP) this fall for major projects throughout the city. It comes on the heels of a successful AAP last year for the Kamloops Centre for the Arts and the Dufferin arena multi-plex. However, while those projects passed, it wasn’t without opposition — including a defeated appeal to the courts to overturn the decision. One of the chief complaints, was a lack of notifying the public, something council may soon address.

This fall, Kamloops voters will get a chance to vote against four alternative approval processes, with the city asking to borrow nearly $190 million, the majority for a new RCMP building. Unlike the 2024 AAP for Build Kamloops, the city is now looking to expand its notification process.

“The first one is just a postcard, this is the largest postcard you can send out at that postage rate,” outlined Kristen Rodrigue, the city’s communications manager. “It is obviously the most cost effective. It would allow us to provide some information, obviously not all details around who is an eligible elector, all of those different criteria.”

(image credit – City of Kamloops)

SOUND OFF

SOUND OFF: Removing bathroom doors at Barriere Secondary increases safety concerns

Apr 02, 2026

Looped In

LOOPED IN WITH NIKKI OMEN: April 2, 2026

Apr 02, 2026

SOUND OFF

SOUND OFF: Kamloops deserves the full story

Apr 01, 2026

Any mail-out selected by council would go above and beyond the already met legislative requirements, with staff providing multiple size options with a pair of mailing options — all with pros, cons and a cost to taxpayers.

Cost options (image credit – City of Kamloops)

“If you are looking at a multi-family rental building, an addressed piece would go to the owner or owners of that building, whereas an unaddressed piece will go to every tenant in that building. Both options will reach both eligible and both ineligible electors,” added Rodrigue.

Council did not make a final decision on Tuesday (Sept 9), as it is still awaiting approval from the province to run the AAPs this fall, but it was certainly hinted by individual councillors that they would be in favour.

“The mandate is to get more people aware of it happening. It’s not the only way they are going to find out about it, so I think the best thing we can do is get it in every household as a flier,” said Councillor Bill Sarai.

The mayor, who has voted against the use of AAPs in the past, noted the mail-out could be cheaper in the long run by avoiding future lawsuits against the city.

“All I’m trying to say is, this to me is what you are talking about Councillor Sarai, is a lot safer than before because the person that filed the lawsuit wouldn’t do it, like because it’s out there way too much,” said Reid Hamer-Jackson.

Council expects to hear back from the province regarding approval for the four AAPs in late September or early October.