Kamloops City Council has passed the Council Procedure Amendment Bylaw No. 59-4, 2025, during its meeting Tuesday afternoon, revising the City’s procedure for posting public notices.
The bylaw formally amends the existing Council Procedure Bylaw No. 59 by repealing the current definition of “Public Notice Posting Places” and replacing it with a new definition. The update means methods of notification will include postings on the city’s official website, distribution through an email subscription service, and physical notices displayed on a bulletin board at city hall.
Staff also noted that the changes do not prevent the City from taking additional steps such as advertising notices on local radio, which the City already does.
This amendment follows a review of the City’s statutory notice posting and public consultation procedures, aimed at streamlining how notices are posted and accessed.
The motion was passed with all Council members voting in favor except Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson, who opposed the measure, expressing concerns about limiting public access and emphasizing the need for more inclusive communication methods.
Community Voices and Future Mail-Outs
During the meeting, Nicholas McCaffrey spoke on behalf of Kamloops Citizens United (KCU), a local advocacy group focused on transparency and public accountability. He criticized the amendment for potentially restricting meaningful public consultation, especially in relation to the Alternative Approval Process (AAP) for municipal borrowing.
McCaffrey urged Council to adopt mailed notices for AAPs, arguing that online postings alone do not sufficiently reach all residents, particularly seniors, low-income individuals, and those without reliable internet access. He outlined several proposals to rebuild public trust, including capping the use of AAPs at $50 million and requiring mailed notices for borrowings above that threshold.
Council moved to ask city staff to research the cost and feasibility of incorporating mailed notices with utility bills or as standalone mail-outs to improve accessibility and awareness for future AAPs.
