Committee of the Whole meeting - September 16, 2025

City Hall front exterior

Council Advocacy Update

Sarah Candido, the City's Indigenous and External Relations Manager, provided the Committee of the Whole with an update on advocacy efforts since the start of the current Council term. The 2023–2026 Council Strategic Plan includes Advocacy as one of five strategic pillars with areas of focus influenced by significant consultation with residents and local businesses. They include:

  • justice reform
  • housing
  • campus of care
  • seniors supports
  • wrap-around services for supportive housing
  • mental health and addiction supports
  • immigration supports
  • fire mitigation
  • additions to reserve land
  • family doctors
  • increased staffing for BC Ambulance Service
  • Agricultural Land Reserve amendments
  • tax amendments to support community land trusts
  • handyDART and taxi service levels
  • support agencies and other organizations advocating for our common goals

Since 2023, advocacy has been targeted at provincial and federal ministries, including over 61 formal letters of advocacy, media communications, and participation in Southern Interior Local Government Association, Union of British Columbia Municipalities, and Federation of Canadian Municipalities conferences and engagement opportunities. When aligned, advocacy has also been advanced in partnership with neighbouring communities, including Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc.

Council's advocacy progress has been most visible in housing and infrastructure engagement. Some key issues require further action, and prioritization is critical as Council enters the final year of its term.

The Committee of the Whole made several suggestions for areas to prioritize for the remainder of Council's current term. Once priority areas are confirmed, Council will consider several next steps to advance advocacy efforts, elevate regional advocacy, strengthen federal engagement, and communicate achievements, including:

  • advocating for the recruitment of nurse practitioners alongside family doctors
  • continuing to pursue wildfire mitigation through funding and partnerships related to the FireSmart program
  • advocating for provincial attention to the care of nearby dikes and dams
  • liaising further with mining industry groups
  • setting 2026 meeting and advocacy timelines, including trips to parliament in Victoria
  • pursuing collaborative partnerships with a particular focus on making inroads with federal partners
  • appointing a dedicated Council member as a standing liaison to maintain consistent contact with the Ministry of Health and Interior Health
  • using the City and Thompson Rivers University Researcher-in-Residence program to help strengthen business cases with up-to-date regional data
  • preparing public-facing annual advocacy summaries for residents, highlighting what has been achieved and what remains a priority to strengthen transparency and accountability
     
  • View the full report.
  • View the presentation within the COTW meeting slide deck.
  • Contact for further information:
    Sarah Candido | scandido@kamloops.ca