REID ALL ABOUT IT – Mayor asks for removal of sanctions, return of pay
(Image: Mel Rothenburger)
An occasional look at the mayoral life of Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson.
Once again, the mayor is asking City council to dial back its sanctions on him. In a letter to council members, he says his request is based on two concerns with the Honcharuk Report that resulted from one of the major investigations into allegations regarding his behaviour: not being provided with clarity on the allegations, and “contemporaneous written communications that I have now assembled (that) show a sustained, functional working relationship that does not align with the characterization relied upon in the report.” Hamer-Jackson says it wasn’t fair to ask him to participate in the investigation when the allegations weren’t disclosed. And, he says, he was never provided with an official copy of the report itself, even though parts of it were reported by media. He asks that councillors reconsider the findings of the report, reverse the sanctions and reinstate remuneration cuts. “Given the seriousness of the findings and their impact, I intend to pursue this matter to a proper and fair resolution.” Though the letter was written March 28, Hamer-Jackson says he hasn’t received a response, so he released it to the media yesterday (May 1, 2026)….
Meanwhile, the mayor has an upcoming court date May 12 regarding a claim by one of his former lawyers that Hamer-Jackson owes $42,000 in legal bills. In response to a story about it in Castanet yesterday, the mayor sent out a link to a Castanet story from Aug. 15, 2025 headlined ‘Kamloops mayor, former lawyer reach $42K settlement over unpaid bills.’ The story says the lawyer, Daniel Coles, had agreed to a plan under which Hamer-Jackson would pay the bill when his properties are sold, and that Coles had agreed to ask the City to reimburse fees related to code of conduct investigations….
In a separate story today (May 1, 2026), Castanet reports that Scotiabank has filed a lawsuit against Hamer-Jackson claiming he and his Tru Market auto sales business owe more than $103,000 in credit card debt. “I think everybody in the whole world knows that I’m in financial difficulty,” he’s quoted as telling Castanet, which also says Beem Credit Union has filed a B.C. Supreme Court petition alleged the mayor has defaulted on a $425,000 loan.
ArmchairMayor.ca 
Please do not re-elect this man as Mayor in October 2026.
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RHJ antics notwithstanding the public’s frustration with the decision making process at City Hall has been building for years. Lack of accountability, at many levels, and for many of the controversial decisions made by our civic managers over the years is also a very upsetting reality. We can change the mayor but behind the paper thin facade of smiles and platitudes the disfunction will remain.
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It’s like we’re kicking a puppy at this point. He had the courage to try and he’s failed spectacularly, there’s no need for this level of humiliation, it’s not helpful to any of us.
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– In the Castanet article, when asked only about the lawsuit by the bank, he instantly swerves to say his financial situation would be reversed if council agreed to take another look at a bullying and harassment investigation he believes was unfair, which he said marked the beginning of his financial troubles.
wait … what?
– Then in the next breath, blames council for cutting his salary, for when he violated council’s code of conduct, which he DID do.
This is all just a continuation as to why he is completely unsuited for the job, or any job in public service? Apparently nothing is his fault … everyone else is to blame for everything … he can do no wrong.
He instantly turned the questions asked in the article around, to blaming everyone else and deflecting any responsibility whatsoever. THIS has been the problem all along.
Sure … people say ‘hes a nice guy’ … whatever,
even nice guys should get fired for being so poorly matched for a job.
– says he doesn’t plan to declare bankruptcy, too many assets,
… probably his house or car lot … as if anyone wants to buy it, doesnt he owe a ton of property taxes for that lot?
Makes you kinda think that he maybe also ran for mayor for the paycheque, to get the banks off his back for the failing used car business.
Mark my words: In November, gets fired by the electorate, and then soon after we will hear about him having to sell his ‘assets’ and possible declare bankruptcy if that isn’t enough money to pay off all his troubles. Even still, whenever asked, will still say it was everyone else’s fault.
Question to all the people who last year stood outside City Hall and waved signs in support of him, or are always around online commenting in support of him, or showing up at trumpkin rally’s at Chapters Viewpoint to cheer,
… have you had enough yet?
Regardless of issues with other council members … so lets not instantly respond to that question with a diatribe about them … just on him all by himself … have you had enough?
Is it time to let go of the populous ideology you are trapped in, and move on?
It didnt work, the king had no clothes.
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