Reid Hamer-Jackson (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By Michael Reeve

POTENTIAL APPEAL

Kamloops mayor mulling appeal after defamation suit dismissal

Feb 9, 2026 | 4:31 PM

KAMLOOPS — Kamloops mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson is considering an appeal after B.C. Supreme Court Justice Jacqueline Hughes ruled in favour of an anti-SLAPP application brought forward by Katie Neustaeter in response to his defamation case.

Justice Hughes found the statements made by Neustaeter fell under both qualified privilege and public interest in dismissing the lawsuit in it’s entirety.

“We are looking into it to see if there was an error in judgment,” Hamer-Jackson told CFJC News. “I do know that, according to the law in British Columbia, I’m supposed to pick standing committees, so if they are upset or not. We will be looking into that.”

Should his appeal move forward, it’s not clear who would represent the mayor as he stated he is currently without a lawyer. 

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Later this month, Hamer-Jackson and Neustaeter will be back in court for a brief hearing on costs, as Neustaeter was looking to have those covered by Hamer-Jackson. Neustaeter is indemnified, meaning the city taxpayers are covering her legal fees. Hamer-Jackson is footing his own bill.

“That would be good, if I did lose,” said Hamer-Jackson of the upcoming decision on costs. “And again, I had a firm from Alberta represent me but they aren’t representing me because I just retained them for that event, so if I do lose and the money goes to the taxpayers, so be it. But it shouldn’t be going to Councillor Neustaeter and they shouldn’t be involved anyways.”

Any legal costs awarded to Neustaeter would be used to pay back the taxpayers. In addition to legal costs, Neustaeter is seeking damages from Hamer-Jackson. The judicial meeting for costs is required to take place within 30 days of the decision, which came down on January 30.