Delegations
Kamloops Sports Council
A delegation, including Duncan Olthuis, Executive Director, Kamloops Sports Council; Lisa Strachan, Board Member, Tourism Kamloops; and Alex Eaket, Downtown Business Association, presented to Council on the concept of an 18-day Christmas Market in Kamloops, similar to the Vancouver Christmas Market and German Christmas markets. The proposed market would include chalets for vendors selling Christmas-themed items, warm apple cider, live choral and acoustic music, and other attractions, which may include a Christmas pyramid, a grand entryway, and a walk-through Christmas tree.
View the presentation within the Council meeting slide deck.
Speak Up Self-Advocacy Awareness Society
Tami Pedersen, Chairperson, and Andrew Embury, Secretary, Speak Up Self-Advocacy Awareness Society, invited Council to the annual Amazing Race to Inclusion event, which raises awareness about the barriers to inclusion faced by many people in Kamloops and nearby areas. Participants will have a hands-on experience, navigating the community to better understand some of the challenges faced by those with diverse abilities. The event will take place on Friday, May 30, 2025, at 9:00 am.
View the presentation within the Council meeting slide deck.
Consideration of Bylaws
Financial Plan and Tax Rate Bylaws
Council adopted Financial Plan Bylaw No. 16-330, 2025, and Tax Rates Bylaw No. 63-2, 2025, which map out the City's revenue and spending for the next five years and indicate the amount to be collected from all classes of property owners in Kamloops for 2025. The proposed operating budget and tax rates were completed throughout a lengthy budget development process and review of various priorities.
More information on the budgeting process is available on LetsTalk.Kamloops.ca/Budget2025.
Municipal Ticket Information Bylaw
Council adopted Municipal Ticket Information Amendment Bylaw No. 43-22, 2025, which was updated to include the penalties and offences for the recently adopted Building Regulations Bylaw No. 11-84.
Reports to Council
Gathering Place at 48 Victoria Street West
Natasha Hartson, the City's Acting Social, Housing, and Community Development Manager, provided Council with a report seeking authorization to issue a short-term facility use permit to The Mustard Seed to operate The Gathering Place, a day space for unhoused individuals, at 48 Victoria Street West for 2025.
Since summer 2021, Council has annually authorized a short-term facility use permit for 48 Victoria Street West for a seasonal (spring to fall) day space for unhoused individuals. The Community Advisory Board under the federal Reaching Home program has funded this initiative. In 2024, The Gathering Place program had 3,366 visits.
Council authorized the issuance of the short-term facility use permit for 2025.
- View the full report.
- View the presentation within the Council meeting slide deck.
- Contact for further information:
Natasha Hartson | nhartson@kamloops.ca
Public Engagement Opportunities
Council received an update on upcoming community engagement opportunities, as listed below.
Featured Engagement Opportunities
- Let’s Talk Communications: The City is asking residents how they would prefer to hear about City initiatives, programs, services, and news.
- Take the survey online at LetsTalk.Kamloops.ca/Communications until May 30, 2025.
- Volunteer Appreciation BBQ: In recognition of the volunteers who build, maintain, and grow our community, the City is hosting the annual Volunteer Appreciation BBQ.
- April 17, 2025, 11:30 am–1:30 pm, at Sandman Centre, 300 Lorne Street.
- Tranquille Road Sanitary Sewer Main and Road Upgrade Project: With the construction of Phase 3 of the Tranquille Road Sanitary project set to start in June, the City is hosting another open house for residents to ask questions of staff.
- May 15, 2025, 5:30–7:30 pm, Sports Action Lounge, McArthur Island Sport and Event Centre, 1665 Island Parkway.
- Follow the project at Tranquille Road Sanitary Main and Road Enhancement Project | Phase 3.
Follow On Let's Talk Website
Subscribe to ongoing projects to be notified when engagement opportunities arise:
Community Collaboration Activities
- A banquet recognizing this year’s recipients for the Exemplary Service Awards will be held on Wednesday, April 16, 2025.
- The City Auction returns for 2025! The auction starts at 9:00 am on April 24, 2025, and will close at 4:00 pm on April 27, 2025. There will be opportunities to view the items April 24–27, 2025, 10:00 am–6:00 pm, at McArthur Island Curling Rink. Details for the auction are online at TeamAuctions.com/Upcoming-Auctions/25DJ-City-of-KamloopsAnnual-Sale-957.
- The City is hosting Emergency Services Day at the McArthur Island Sport and Event Centre south side parking lot, 10:00 am–2:00 pm on Saturday, May 10, 2025. Emergency Services Day is a national awareness initiative and an opportunity to take action to ensure you are prepared to protect yourself, your family, and your community during an emergency. This year, the theme is Be Prepared. Know Your Risks. Applications are open for exhibitors interested in hosting a booth at the event.
Notices of Motion
- Councillor Bass' Notice of Motion: Securing Small Business Rebate Funding Renewal presented at the April 8, 2025, regular Council meeting was considered. In response, Council passed a motion to send a letter to Honourable Diana Gibson, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation, asking that the Securing Small Business Rebate Program funding be renewed.
- Councillor Sarai and Councillor Bass' Notice of Motion: Expanding Involuntary Care Centres into the Interior of British Columbia presented at the April 8, 2025, regular Council meeting was considered. In response, Council passed a motion to lobby the provincial government to expand its provision of involuntary care centres into the Interior of British Columbia.
- Councillor Hall introduced a Notice of Motion: Municipal Medical Clinic Business Case, which will be considered at the May 6, 2025 regular Council meeting.
Committee Reports
In response to a recommendation from the Governance and Service Excellence Select Committee meeting on April 3, 2025, Council directed Administration to amend Council Policy No. GGL-22, Permissive Tax Exemptions for Not-for-Profit Organizations, to clarify the criteria related to non-profits providing short-term housing. View the full report from the April 3, 2025, committee meeting.
