CIVIC ELECTION – Free transit, AAP, AI data centres raised at seniors forum

By MEL ROTHENBURGER
ArmchairMayor.ca

Civic election candidates had a relatively easy time of it Thursday (Sept. 24, 2026) as they faced a standing-room-only crowd of more than 100 at the Mount Paul Community Food Centre, fielding a half dozen soft questions.

Almost all the candidates were there, with the notable exception of incumbent mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson. When asked about it, Hamer-Jackson explained later to ArmchairMayor that he wanted to attend as a senior citizen (the forum was billed as focusing on seniors’ issues) but was told at the door the room was full.

“It was at full capacity according to the guy and others couldn’t get in also,” he explained via text. “I wasn’t going to break the fire code or capacity.”

Mayoral candidate Kris Lloyd-Middleton wasn’t there either but the other four mayoral hopefuls attended along with a phalanx of hopefuls running for seats as councillors.

Only one questions was specific to seniors, and the concept of free transit created the most interest, with several candidates saying they would support removing bus fares for seniors.

Lyndsay McDonald raised it first, with Dennis Giesbrecht adding that it would be possible because it’s done elsewhere. Bill Sarai said he “could support” free transit for seniors.

Cindy Sonne lamented the violence that has occurred on City buses, while incumbent Nancy Bepple said more hours of operation are needed for the transit system. Mayoral candidate Mike O’Reilly said there are grant programs for transit use.

The Alternative Approval Process was bound to come up and it did, with candidates disagreeing about its use for getting major projects approved. Bepple said AAPs are legal and used in other communities. “It’s a reasonable way to do things.”

But fellow incumbent Katie Neustaeter said she changed her mind about AAPs because of “community division” and wouldn’t support them again.

Mayoral candidate Nelly Dever said AAPs aren’t intended for projects like those in the Build Kamloops program and have been “misused.” And first-time council candidate Rob Bertrand said that just because something is legal isn’t a reason for using it.

AI data centres came up again, as they did in the Wednesday forums, and it was clear there are serious concerns about them. Incumbents offered assurances that the council is seeking protections with a motion from Bepple and Dale Bass to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities seeking development of federal standards, and the City is drafting its own policy.

Coun. Margot Middleton talked about tax opportunities while Neustaeter said data centres create very few jobs.

Although the city already has three data centres — which are not AI — Chris Mitra summed up opposition to AI data centres: “We are not the community for data centres.”

The next forum of note will be hosted by the Kamloops Farmers Market, with the public invited to hear council candidates tomorrow, Saturday, Sept. 25 at 10 a.m. A separate forum for mayoral candidates will follow at 10 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 3.