File Photo (Image Credit: CFJC Today)

By James Peters

Kamloops council

Kamloops council enacts two-month Public Inquiries suspension, will pursue permanent changes

Jan 14, 2025 | 4:17 PM

KAMLOOPS — For the next two months, Kamloops residents will not be able to come to city hall and ask questions related to the agendas of regular council meetings.

At Tuesday’s (Jan. 14) regular meeting, council suspended Public Inquiries for a two-month period, asking staff to propose more permanent changes upon their return.

The space dedicated to questions from the public has become a flashpoint for controversy. During this term, councillors have complained that speakers have hurled abuse toward council and staff, have used the time to grandstand and have been allowed to carry on for too long, sapping council’s productivity and unnecessarily lengthening meetings. In September, an online participant displayed pornography during the meeting, which was briefly broadcast in council chambers and to the public via live stream.

After discussing and researching the matter, council’s Governance and Service Excellence Select Committee recommended suspending Public Inquiries on a six-month trial basis.

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As changes to the agenda require a broader bylaw amendment, they were subject to a separate public input opportunity on Tuesday. During that segment, local resident Garry Davies implored council not to do away with participation of the broader community.

“Do you, as individuals, not believe representative democracy is a conversation? And isn’t listening a fundamental part of any conversation?” asked Davies.

Several councillors also expressed discomfort with the proposed six-month option.

“I get the intent of what we’re trying to do — ultimately, allow the business of the city to function and continue on at our business meetings,” said Councillor Mike O’Reilly. “For me, it seems we’ve gone too far, too quick if we do this.”

First approving the two-month pause, councillors mulled more permanent changes such as limiting questioners to two minutes each and capping the agenda item at 15 minutes.

Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson expressed his belief that changes to public inquiries are not necessary, saying lengthy meetings can be mitigated by recognizing hot button agenda items in advance.

“Manage the agenda. We know when it’s going to be a hot topic. We get all the emails… we just had a development in Valleyview there, and at the same time we’re talking about a shelter,” said Hamer-Jackson. “We know it’s a hot topic. We know the gallery’s going to be full. Why don’t we manage it properly?”

Ultimately, council voted to have staff draft bylaw amendment options for discussion at a future Committee of the Whole workshop. The next such workshop is slated for next Tuesday (Jan. 21).