LOCAL

Why the Upcoming Civic Election Could Shape Kamloops After a Contentious Four-Year Term

Kamloops voters head to the polls Oct. 17 after four contentious years at city hall. Former mayor Ken Christian and locals weigh in on candidate experience.

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2 months ago

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City Hall Record Sparks Debate Ahead of Local Vote

Voters in Kamloops are preparing to cast their ballots on Saturday, Oct. 17, following a four-year civic term marked by widespread friction at city hall. Former Kamloops mayor Ken Christian characterized the recent period as the “four lost years,” noting that the municipality suffered a loss of political momentum and credibility across British Columbia.

Christian cautioned community members against electing candidates who lack municipal experience, drawing a comparison to professional qualifications. “It’s not unlike finding a dentist, you want somebody that knows how to do dentistry,” he said. “You don’t want somebody that says they’re going to do it a different way or they don’t believe in what the dental college says to do. The same is true with a local politician.”

Voter Perspectives and Major Spending Challenges

Much of the council’s recent tenure has been overshadowed by ongoing turmoil surrounding Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson. However, community sentiment remains divided over who bears responsibility for the term’s shortcomings. Retired journalist Michele Young, who covered the city for two decades with the Kamloops Daily News, observed that residents not closely following daily details might view both sides as responsible for the conflict.

Young noted that the persistent interpersonal friction, lawsuits, and treatment of city employees went beyond past dramatic moments. At the same time, major multi-million-dollar capital proposals are expected to be key issues for voters. Kamloops has become the most indebted municipality in B.C. relative to its cashflows and reserves. A planned replacement for the RCMP station carries a $160-million price tag, while discussions regarding the aging city hall building remain ongoing.

Incumbents and Contenders Prepare for October Ballot

Despite internal governance challenges, council members frequently aligned to challenge provincial cost-downloading initiatives, though results were mixed. Turnout for the 2022 civic vote stood at 30 per cent, a figure Christian hopes will rise as electors focus on basic services like roads, utilities, zoning, and municipal financial management.

The upcoming ballot will feature the entire current council. Hamer-Jackson is seeking re-election as mayor against current councillor Mike O’Reilly and former councillor Nelly Dever. The remaining seven incumbent councillors are seeking another term, while over a dozen additional contenders have announced plans to run.

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LOCAL

Where Provincial Jobless Rates Stood in September

Canada’s national unemployment rate reached 6.5 per cent in September. Explore the full provincial breakdown and regional employment figures from Statistics Canada.

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18 hours ago

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October 9, 2026

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National and Provincial Jobless Figures

Canada recorded a national unemployment rate of 6.5 per cent in September, according to data released by Statistics Canada on Oct. 9, 2026.

Across Western Canada, British Columbia’s jobless rate shifted to 6.4 per cent from 6.5 per cent in August. Alberta recorded a rate of 6.4 per cent, down from 6.8 per cent the previous month, while Saskatchewan dropped to 5.4 per cent from 6.0 per cent. Manitoba’s unemployment rate remained unchanged at 5.0 per cent.

In Central Canada, Ontario’s unemployment rate rose slightly to 7.0 per cent from 6.9 per cent in August, while Quebec’s rate reached 6.0 per cent, up from 5.6 per cent.

Atlantic Canada and Regional City Data

In Atlantic Canada, Newfoundland and Labrador reported the highest provincial figure at 9.1 per cent, up from 8.6 per cent in August. New Brunswick saw a minor increase to 7.4 per cent from 7.3 per cent, and Nova Scotia rose to 6.3 per cent from 6.1 per cent. Prince Edward Island experienced a decline, moving to 7.3 per cent from 7.9 per cent.

Statistics Canada also tracked seasonally adjusted, three-month moving average rates for major urban areas. However, the agency cautioned that these municipal figures are subject to wide fluctuations due to smaller statistical sample sizes.

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LOCAL

Who Is Running in Your Riding for the 2026 BC Election?

Check the full list of official candidates who have filed nomination papers for Kamloops, Fraser-Nicola, Cariboo-Chilcotin, and Salmon Arm-Shuswap ridings.

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19 hours ago

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October 9, 2026

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Candidates Confirmed Across Five Regional Ridings

Nomination papers have been officially submitted by individuals seeking election as local Members of the Legislative Assembly in the upcoming 2026 BC election.

In Kamloops Centre, voters will see a five-candidate field consisting of incumbent Peter Milobar for the BC Conservatives, Annelise Beach representing the BC Greens, Rocky McAfee for OneBC, Thaelo Proctor running as an Independent, and Mike Wisla representing the BC NDP.

To the north, the Kamloops-North Thompson constituency features incumbent Ward Stamer of the BC Conservatives, alongside Kory Clark running for the BC NDP and Deborah Friesen for OneBC.

Contests Set for Fraser-Nicola, Cariboo-Chilcotin, and Salmon Arm-Shuswap

In the Fraser-Nicola riding, incumbent Conservative Tony Luck faces challenges from Jason Leboe of the BC NDP and Patrick Mitchell of the BC Greens.

The Cariboo-Chilcotin ballot includes incumbent Lorne Doerkson running for the BC Conservatives, Kathryn Askew representing the BC NDP, and Douglas Gook representing the BC Greens.

Meanwhile, five candidates are contesting the Salmon Arm-Shuswap riding. Incumbent David Williams represents the BC Conservatives, joined on the ballot by Gloria Morgan for the BC NDP, Barbara Presch for OneBC, Denise Reimer for CentreBC, and Jed Wiebe for the BC Greens.

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COMMUNITY

How Central Okanagan Residents Can Avoid Costly Household Plumbing Damage This Thanksgiving

RDCO warns Central Okanagan residents to dispose of Thanksgiving cooking fats in the garbage to avoid costly sewer blockages and plumbing damage.

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19 hours ago

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October 9, 2026

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Preventing Sewer Overflows During Holiday Gatherings

As Central Okanagan families come together for Thanksgiving between Oct. 10 and Oct. 12, regional officials are offering guidance to keep home plumbing systems safe. Disposing of fats, oils and cooking grease improperly remains the primary reason sewer lines block and overflow throughout the community.

Kit Caufield, Manager of Engineering Services for the Regional District of Central Okanagan (RDCO), explained that grease accumulation inside pipe infrastructure restricts wastewater flow over time. Caufield noted that “Over time, grease builds up inside pipes, restricting wastewater flow and creating problems not only for homeowners, but across the entire sewer system. These blockages can damage household plumbing, result in costly repairs and interfere with critical wastewater infrastructure, including sewer lift stations,”

Proper Waste Disposal Guidelines

To prevent damage to both private plumbing and public infrastructure like sewer lift stations, the RDCO recommends catching leftover food particles using a drain basket or strainer. Residents should pour warm cooking fats into a covered tin container, which can be lined with a cooking bag if intended for reuse. After the grease cools and hardens, the container should be sealed and discarded in the trash.

Additionally, fatty foods such as salad dressings, mayonnaise, and other sauces must be thrown into the garbage rather than rinsed down sinks. For larger quantities of used cooking oil, individuals can take up to two 20-litre pails to the Glenmore Landfill for recycling, though commercial amounts are prohibited. Further details can be found on the RDCO website.

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