Regular Council Meeting - February 3, 2026

City Hall front exterior

Delegations

Kamloops White Cane Club

Vern Short, Vice President of the Kamloops White Cane Club provided Council with information about White Cane Week which takes place the first full week of February each year and raises awareness of the challenges facing Canadians living with vision loss. To mark the occasion, the Kamloops White Cane Club's Blind Bowling Team is challenging members of Council to a bowling game on Friday, February 13, 2026.

Listen to the full presentation on the City's Council Meeting YouTube feed.

Public Engagement Opportunities

Council received an update on upcoming community engagement opportunities, as listed below.

Featured Engagement Opportunities

  • Community Engagement Check-In: Residents can participate in a short survey focused specifically on engagement, decision making, and trust. This survey builds on feedback from previous City surveys and engagement activities and is designed to better understand expectations—when people want to be involved, what they expect engagement to influence, and what helps build trust. 
  • Budget 2026: An online opportunity for residents to participate in providing their level of support towards the nine proposed items that were presented to the Committee of the Whole on January 20, 2026, aiming to reduce the 2026 tax requirement following the provisional budget. The feedback opportunity will close on February 6, 2026.
  • Hillside Drive Corridor Upgrades Project: A neighbourhood listening session gathering resident input on improvements within the Hillside Drive corridor. Residents are invited to drop in and share their lived experiences—what’s working well, what challenges they experience, and where upgrades are most needed. 

Follow On Let's Talk Website

Subscribe to ongoing projects to be notified when engagement opportunities arise:

Community Collaboration Activities

  • The 12th annual Family Day Festival is a free event that will take place 10:00 am–2:00 pm on Monday, February 16, 2026, at the Tournament Capital Centre. In addition to this free family festival, residents can take advantage of the toonie skate and swim programs. For two dollars per person, families are invited to enjoy: 
    • Public skating at Valleyview Arena, 12:00–1:00 pm and 1:15–2:15 pm. Registration required.
    • Public swimming at the Canada Games Aquatic Centre, 1:00–4:00 pm.
    • Visit Kamloops.ca/FamilyDay for the full schedule of events.
  • The Community Art Grant is available for projects that promote the development and awareness of the arts in our community by supporting innovative and locally impactful projects. Applications are open February 3–April 3, 2026, at Kamloops.ca/ArtGrant.
  • The Community and Culture Department is seeking applications from Kamloops residents who are interested in serving on the Arts and Culture Engagement Group on a voluntary basis. There are two positions available to serve as a community representative for a minimum two-year term. Applications open February 4, 2026. Apply by March 13, 2026, at 4:00 pm. Learn more and apply at Kamloops.ca/EngagementGroups.

Notices of Motion

Mayor Hamer Jackson's Notice of Motion: Employment of Immediate Family Members of Council Members presented at the January 27, 2026 Council meeting was considered at the February 3, 2026 Council meeting and was defeated.

Correspondence 

Council reviewed correspondence received from the Southern Interior Local Government Association (SILGA) welcoming resolutions for consideration at its annual convention, to be held this year in Revelstoke from April 29 to May 2. Council considered and approved four resolutions to be submitted to SILGA related to the following topics:  

  • Requesting the Government of BritishColumbia to adopt the CleanBC review recommendation to establish a Citizens’ Assembly to support implementation of the review’s recommendations, and to promote and increase the production of clean, provincially generated renewable electricity, biofuels, and renewable natural gas, in accordance with social, economic, and environmental best practices. (Presented by Deputy Mayor Bepple)
  • Requesting that the Government of British Columbia commit funding and work with regional districts and municipalities in the Interior Health and Northern Health regions to prioritize upgrades, as well as ongoing road maintenance standards and oversight, to provincial highways within municipal borders and in regional districts with the goal of reducing traffic-related fatalities. (Presented by Deputy Mayor Bepple)
  • Urging higher levels of government to take immediate action to expand funding, training capacity, and financial support for pilot education in order to protect public safety, economic stability, and reliable air service for all Canadians. (Presented by Councillor Sarai)
  • Urging the Provincial government to ensure that senior representatives of all local government associations in British Columbia are formally included in discussions and decision-making related to the review, reform, and implementation of the Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act (DRIPA), reconciliation policy, archaeology processes, and any replacement or reform of the Heritage Conservation Act. (Presented by Councillor Sarai)

Council reviewed correspondence received from the BC Natural Resources Forum soliciting support for the "Forestry is a Solution" campaign. Council passed a motion to sign the petition and also to send it along to local Members of Parliament encouraging them to sign as well.