CITY HALL – Mayor files defamation lawsuit against business developer

Posted on June 24, 2024 in 'Loops // 2 Comments

(Image: Mel Rothenburger.)

Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson is suing a prominent local businessman for defamation.

He confirmed today (June 24, 2024) that a statement of claim has been filed in B.C. Supreme Court against Joshua Knaak, a developer who has been involved in several major Kamloops projects.

The suit alleges Knaak made remarks to Hamer-Jackson at a night club in March 2023 that damaged his personal reputation and his position as mayor.

Knaak is a former president of the Kamloops Chamber of Commerce and was named Business Person of the Year by the chamber in 2022.

Hamer-Jackson also has an outstanding defamation suit against Coun Katie Neustaeter that hasn’t been resolved.

Reid Hamer-Jackson

About Mel Rothenburger (11613 Articles)

ArmchairMayor.ca is a forum about Kamloops and the world. It has more than one million views. Mel Rothenburger is the former Editor of The Daily News in Kamloops, B.C. (retiring in 2012), and past mayor of Kamloops (1999-2005). At ArmchairMayor.ca he is the publisher, editor, news editor, city editor, reporter, webmaster, and just about anything else you can think of. He is grateful for the contributions of several local columnists. This blog doesn't require a subscription but gratefully accepts donations to help defray costs.

2 Comments on CITY HALL – Mayor files defamation lawsuit against business developer

John Noakes // June 26, 2024 at 12:30 PM // Reply

Thanks for printing comments that show support from people who have differing views, Mel, That’s what makes a good journalist.

It’s hard to say what things were said in a bar downtown but if the Mayor feels he has the basis for a lawsuit, that’s up to him. I am thankful that in this case, the taxpayers are not likely to be paying for the defendant’s legal costs.

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Bob Gamble // June 25, 2024 at 7:12 AM // Reply

Mr. Rothenburg has served up two interesting lead pieces for this morning’s read.

HOUSING – 500 new homes, shelter spaces announced in Kamloops projects

CITY HALL – Mayor files defamation lawsuit against business developer

Ravi Kahlon, the provincial minister of housing had nothing but praise for the work Council and staff have committed to bring the 500 housing units to Kamloops.

Minister Kahlon is quoted in Castanet as saying

“I’ve had the opportunity to meet with a lot of mayors and councils. Never have I met council who’s been so sure about what they want for their community,”

“I think today’s announcement reflects all those conversations that we’ve had through UBCM, through cornering me in a building when I was speaking on a totally different topic — but that’s the type of thing that we need to see throughout communities across the province.”

The second Armchair piece is further evidence RHJ needs to go.

Now he filed a defamation suit against local developer Joshua Knaak. As has been widely reported, RHJ has a second lawsuit filed against Councillor Neustarter.

Seemingly RHJ considers Knaak “an outspoken and irresponsible critic of Mayor Hamer-Jackson.”

Do we not see a pattern here?  Isn’t it time RHJ moved on to other endeavors?  Time and time again RHJ has proven himself unfit for the job.  An embarrassment to the Community and the office of the mayor.

Once again, hats off to Council and staff who working under what can only be considered trying conditions, are doing the community proud.

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