CITY HALL – ‘Council remains focused on strengthening community trust’
Editor’s Note: City Hall released the following today (Jan. 10, 2025) over the name of Deputy Mayor Kelly Hall. Although it’s called a “City of Kamloops News Release,” it’s more of an opinion piece than it is a news release, so I publish it under “Feedback.” Here it is:
New Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs supports Municipal Advisor’s report; City Council remains committed to strengthening governance
Kamloops, BC—On December 24, 2024, Kamloops City Council received a letter from the Honourable Minister of Housing and Municipal Affairs, Ravi Kahlon, highlighting the Province’s continued support for the May 2024 Municipal Advisor’s report and its recommendations. The Minister’s letter reinforces the importance of good governance practices and calls on Council to demonstrate progress in addressing the report’s recommendations. Council will be considering a response to the Minister’s requests at its January 14 regular meeting.
Over the past six months, Council has demonstrated its commitment to meeting provincial expectations and has taken significant steps to implement the recommendations outlined in the Municipal Advisor’s report. These efforts are part of Council’s broader dedication to fostering transparent governance, ensuring accountable representation for all community members, and prioritizing the safety and well-being of City staff.
“We are grateful for the Minister’s continued engagement and encouragement as we navigate the challenges our Council has faced,” said Kelly Hall, Deputy Mayor. “Council is committed to ensuring a more accountable, collaborative, and effective approach to governance that reflects the professionalism, respect, and integrity our community deserves.”
Council recognizes the importance of working in partnership with the Province to overcome challenges and advance the goals outlined in the Municipal Advisor’s report. Council welcomes the invitation to meet with the Minister to discuss the ongoing work and share updates on the implementation of these recommendations.
As Council continues to advance good governance and responsible conduct, it remains focused on strengthening community trust, ensuring transparency, and creating a welcoming environment for all community members.
ArmchairMayor.ca 
Amazing that the councillors use the words “accountable, collaborative” while at the same time cutting out public inquiry.
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Thanks for assuring the electorate that you and the other 7 on Council are remaining focused on strengthening community trust.
At last count, 25% of you are facing court action.
If you could reduce that to say, 12.5%, it might help.
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City received the letter on December 24th, wow the ministry must really mean business to send a letter a day before Christmas, obviously they were trying to get maximum coverage at such a slow time of the year.
The letter states, “I understand that it has been six months since the work of the Municipal Advisor with the City of Kamloops wrapped up”, actually it’s been just over 8 months but who’s counting. I’m sure this was just a typo by minister Kahlon, I’m not at all suggesting a staffer wrote the letter and was hanging onto it until a busy news cycle before releasing it, after all it’s got some really important fluff, I mean stuff in it.
The city’s letter boasts about their achievements and commitment in “dedication to fostering transparent governance, ensuring accountable representation for all community members”. Yes council has made it clear how they feel about transparency and accountability with all the closed meetings and planned elimination of public inquiries.
“Council is committed to ensuring a more accountable, collaborative, and effective approach to governance that reflects the professionalism, respect, and integrity our community deserves.” Is it April 1st already because only a fool could write this with a straight face.
I doubt very much that Hall wrote this nonsense, but dude, have a little pride, don’t put your signature to this B.S.
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Surely Ravi has already sent a letter outlining his concerns that Kamloops council member Bill Sarai is a confirmed liar to the people of Kamloops and has acted in a manner unbecoming of an elected official, broke code of conduct, broke the trust of the community, secretly recorded another member of council with the intent to undermine him, who will also require an expensive investigation, and that Bill should also be subject to the recommendations in the Braun report like a deduction of pay and not being able to represent the ciity. I guess that letter is just delayed by Canada Post. Maybe a routing issue.
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Professionalism, integrity, respect, transparency and trust this council of Hall, Sarai, O’Reilly, Karpuk, Neaustaeter, Bepple, Middletown and last and least Bass have none or little. No further proofs are needed.
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