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Kamloops, B.C., mayor asked to resign after damning report
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Kamloops, B.C., city council has formally called on Mayor Reid Hamer-
Jackson to resign after a scathing report from a provincially
appointed municipal adviser was made public on Tuesday.
The report from former Abbotsford mayor Henry Braun took around three
months to complete, and comes a little over a year into Hamer-
Jackson's term — which has seen the first-time mayor repeatedly clash
with the eight other members of the Kamloops council.
It is particularly critical of Hamer-Jackson's behaviour toward
council and city staff, saying that the mayor has shown "a dismissive
and condescending attitude towards constructive criticism or the
suggestion of apologies," and that his treatment of staff may have led
to an unsafe work environment.
Hamer-Jackson's reign has been particularly eventful for the B.C.
Interior city of around 100,000 people. It has seen multiple
investigations, a defamation lawsuit filed by the mayor against a
councillor, and the mayor suspending the city's acting CAO in a bid to
"change things up."
_ **WATCH | Some of the report's 23 recommendations:**_
### Kamloops mayor refuses to heed council's call to resign
City council in Kamloops, B.C., has formally called on Mayor Reid
Hamer-Jackson to resign after a scathing report by a provincially
appointed municipal adviser was made public on Tuesday. But, CBC's
Marcella Bernarndo explains, the mayor is refusing to resign.
Braun's Tuesday report could be a turning point, as it recommends the
council consider creating financial sanctions for code of conduct
violations in a bid to repair its dysfunctional nature.
It prompted an 8-1 vote by councillors calling on the mayor to resign
— though the motion passed overwhelmingly, with Hamer-Jackson voting
against, it is not legally binding.
Municipal councils in B.C. have very few powers to remove elected
officials, even if they are not supported by other council members.
Braun told reporters he wasn't optimistic that the mayor would receive
his recommendations well.
"The mayor is a fighter. He's told me that — he's not a quitter, he's
a fighter," the adviser said. "He's demonstrated that to me throughout
this whole process."
"I said, 'You're the mayor ... it's up to you to build this team
together.'"
Former Abbotsford mayor Henry Braun, who served as a municipal adviser
for Kamloops city council, says he is concerned with the idea of the
province being able to recall municipal councillors — but that it may
be a potential recourse for a dysfunctional council. (Marcella
Bernardo/CBC)
Braun said that if the council dysfunction continues in Kamloops for
much longer, it could result in legal repercussions — given previous
investigations regarding Hamer-Jackson alleged he breached
confidentiality rules and created an unsafe workplace.
"It's up to him — but that doesn't mean he can run roughshod over
council," Braun said. "The mayor needs for people to join him ... that
isn't happening. It's not healthy for the city."
Some of Braun's recommendations — including a potential amendment to
the Community Charter, which governs all municipalities outside
Vancouver — would require the city applying to the B.C. Supreme Court
to do so.
For his part, Hamer-Jackson told council he would be vindicated if the
city's matters go to court.
Kamloops Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson refused to resign, despite an
overwhelming 8-1 vote on council. The mayor has faced repeated
criticism for various public spats with councillors and city staff.
(Jenifer Norwell/CBC)
"When I got elected, my goals were to get a safer community and to
have accountability," he told CBC News on Tuesday, when asked if he
would continue to work with council.
"I think that's what I'm going to continue to do."
## 'Poor communication and distrust'
Braun's report says some of the top challenges he sees at Kamloops
City Hall involve significant staff turnover, the mayor's resistance
to resolution and openness, and "poor communication and distrust"
between the mayor and city staff.
The adviser makes three major recommendations to Hamer-Jackson, which
include asking the mayor to be more open to criticism and respect
confidentiality protocols.
His report also makes 13 recommendations to council — such as engaging
in leadership and communication seminars and engaging a consultant or
mentor to assist council.
Some of the most significant recommendations, however, include
potentially asking the province to amend the Community Charter to
include a legislative process to remove a member of the council.
It also asks the council to potentially include financial penalties
for repeated offences of the city's code of conduct.
Braun says, for instance, the first violation of the code of conduct
could result in a 10 per cent reduction in salary, while the second
could result in a 25 per cent reduction and so on.
Kamloops Coun. Kelly Hall, right, says that council will look at
Braun's recommendations in the weeks to come. (Marcella Bernardo/CBC)
Coun. Kelly Hall welcomed Braun's report, and said it was a
"wholesome" look at the challenges being faced by council, and said
they would look at its recommendations in the weeks to come.
"We've got a really dynamic council that wants to eagerly serve the
community in a better way, in a better light," he said. "With these
recommendations, I think that shows us the direction that we need to
go."
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