ELECTION – Ajax opponent will appeal Ombudsperson’s decision not to investigate his complaint

Ajax mine opponent John McNamer says he’ll appeal a decision by the B.C. Ombudsperson’s Office not to formally investigate his allegation that Kamloops mayor and Liberal candidate Peter Milobar is in a perceived conflict of interest.

McNamer’s complaint is based on Milobar’s involvement in City council discussions on the mine, the fate of which will eventually be determined by the provincial government.

He also says KGHM Ajax has donated campaign funds to the B.C. Liberal Party.

The Ombudsperson’s office has replied to McNamer in a letter, saying “In the context of your complaint, the receipt of campaign contributions from KGHM Ajax to the B.C. Liberal Party, without more, such as evidence that Mr. Milobar agreed to vote a certain way, does not disqualify Mr. Milobar from voting as a member of City Council.”

.… South Thompson B.C. NDP candidate Nancy Bepple, along with parents, child care workers and early childhood educators, will speak Tuesday (April 11, 2017) about the NDP plan for $10-a-day child care fees. It takes place at 1 p.m. in the Cariboo Child Care Centre, TRU campus (Sk’lep Trail, across from the Barber Centre and next to the TRU Faculty Association office).

…. Kamloops-North Thompson NDP candidate Barb Nederpel officially opens her campaign office today (April 10, 2017) at #7-716 Sydney Avenue, next door to Senor Froggy.

…. NDP leader John Horgan says his party will freeze B.C. Hydro rates and eliminate tolls on the Port Mann and Golden Ears bridges if elected. “Families have no choice but to pay Christy Clark’s steep B.C. hydro fee increases – we have to power and heat our homes,” Horgan said today. “We’ll give families immediate relief by freezing hydro rates. It’s one way that we’re going to make life more affordable for people.”