CFJC’s Collins, longtime Kamloops councillor Wallace to be given Freedom of the City

Mar 29, 2019 | 11:48 AM

KAMLOOPS — A legendary broadcaster and a longtime Kamloops councillor will be given the city’s highest honour at a ceremony next month.

Doug Collins and Pat Wallace will be given the Freedom of the City on April 10.

Collins was appointed CFJC’s News Director in 1971, serving for 47 years before retiring from the position in 2018.

Aside from covering Kamloops’s biggest stories, Collins has volunteered countless hours coaching sports, supporting the arts and leading the local Freemasons.

Wallace was elected to Kamloops council for the first time in 1980, serving a total of 31 years before retiring from public life in 2018.

She has been praised as a driver behind many of the key pieces of public infrastructure in Kamloops.

In a news release, Mayor Ken Christian says, “It is truly an honour to be able to recognize such worthy and notable recipients of this prestigious designation.”

The Freedom of the City has not been awarded since 2013, when it was given to Ambo Dhaliwal, a founding member of the Kamloops Multicultural Society.

Previous honorees include former mayor Cliff Branchflower, naturalist Jack Gregson and the 419 Moose Squadron.

According to the city, Freedom of the City can only be awarded “with the unanimous support of Mayor and Council.”

Collins and Wallace will be given their awards at a ceremony on the evening of Wednesday, April 10.