GUEST COLUMN – City councillors are at it again with their latest media release
By BRONWEN SCOTT
Guest Columnist
OUR CITY COUNCILLORS seem to be at it again.
The councillors announced in a media release Nov. 9 that they will hold a future closed meeting to discuss sanctions against “the respondent” of “a report that was issued following an investigation conducted under the Council Code of Conduct Bylaw.”
Bronwen Scott.
The BC Community Charter states that closed meeting agenda items are supposed to be kept in confidence and only referenced under a general Charter subsection heading.
The Charter also says Council can’t give out specifics of what they’ll be discussing at a closed meeting without holding a vote at a separate meeting that includes the mayor.
There is no record of any such vote or meeting, yet the councillors released details anyway.
But this isn’t the worst. By referencing “the respondent” which implies one individual, the councillors’ announcement seems to be in conflict with Section 25.1 of the BC Freedom of Information & Protection of Privacy Act forbids “disclosing personal information that will result in the humiliation or reputation of an individual.”
For all the councillors’ protests that they’re not actually naming names in their media statement due to privacy concerns, it’s pretty obvious who they’re referring to.
When our elected representatives disclose closed agenda particulars in a way that seems likely to humiliate and defame, that’s going too far, in my view. Our mayor is entitled to the same legal protection as everyone else.
Reading between the transparent lines of the councillors’ statement, CFJC News took things even further by naming the mayor, saying, “It appears disciplinary measures against Kamloops Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson may be on the way.”
It’s pretty clear the councillors publicized their statement in order to stir up trouble for the mayor. It worked. This latest announcement spilled information so specific a media outlet actually felt comfortable naming an individual.
It’s also pretty clear that every leak from City Hall or rogue statement from the councillors has been against the mayor. Why not at least leak information taxpayers care about? These tattle-tales need to stop their bickering and use their time on the taxpayer’s dime figuring out how to run the city on a budget instead.
People believe what they read. Everyone involved in this drama should be ashamed.
Bronwen Scott is a community activist.
ArmchairMayor.ca 
If what Bronwen has pointed out about violations with the Community Charter are true, why is Maria Mazzotta, the CO, remaining strangely silent?
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What could possibly be done? Well, you can email your councillor of choice with a complaint rather than filing a complaint via any official enforcement mechanism like a code of conduct.
Once the council person receives your email, they will surely read that email, take that complaint seriously, and hold themselves and their fellow council to account. They will be able to self-regulate and avoid any conflict of interest.
🙄
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Is this a joke, you can’t be serious, council to hold themselves to account? They can’t even muster up the courage or professionalism to have an honest discussion about all the illegal leaking which is going on amongst themselves.
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They are not interested in making sure McCorkell & Co. spends wisely and with accountability. But importantly McCorkell & Co. are certainly well “immersed” in the shenanigans pursuing with vengeful petulance the outspoken outlier who rose his voice. Thanks for writing Bronwen.
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