Kamloops council dysfunction could lure voters in droves

If politicians are looking for ways to attract more voters to the ballot box, Kamloops might have found the trick for all the wrong reasons.

When the public sees dysfunction among their political leaders, they tend to take action, according to UBC political science lecturer Stewart Prest.

“When that starts to break down and dysfunction seems to be impeding core services that can start to galvanize opposition and lead to an incumbent being pushed out,” he told iNFOnews.ca.

Kamloops has been uniquely challenged by a mayor who will not work with council or staff, often taking a combative approach that hasn’t earned him any political allies at city hall. Multiple investigations and lawsuits have put internal politics into headlines across the province, earning Kamloops a reputation for internal strife and overshadowing the work in city council chambers.

Voters galvanized, not disillusioned

Prest said voters often become disillusioned when they feel their vote doesn’t matter, including when chaos seems “hardwired” into the political landscape.

“On the flip side, the one thing that can really unite voters against a candidate is the appearance of dysfunction,” he said. “Voters who pay attention to municipal politics seem to understand that ultimately it’s about getting things done for community.”

There’s a mobilization among some voters in Kamloops to oust all incumbents, but it’s not clear how widespread the notion is across the city.

Experts warn against removing experienced candidates from city hall, and much of the blame for the term has been put on Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson’s shoulders, but incumbents typically have an inherent advantage over new candidates.

Past mayor Ken Christian suggested incumbents came out early in the campaign to get ahead of the risk they may get the boot, other than Hamer-Jackson, who hasn’t erected any campaign signage at all.

Provincial election adds a wrinkle

Time will tell whether the chaotic term and frustrated residents will translate to a better turnout than the 29 per cent performance in 2022.

While Kamloops is in a unique position compared to most municipalities, Prest said voters may not show up across the province with enthusiasm.

Municipal election turnout is typically far lower than for provincial contests, but Prest expects the confluence of both elections could turn some away from ballot boxes and a recent poll seems to support that prediction.

More than 60 per cent of respondents said it’s too soon for a provincial election and that the premier is putting political power ahead of the province’s interests, according to a recent Angus Reid Institute survey.

It’s rare to have both municipal and provincial election campaign on at the same time in BC. The last time it happened was 40 years ago when the election days landed three weeks apart.

Prest said while there are few Canadian examples to go on, voters may not take to multiple elections in a short period as is frequently done in the U.S. system.

“People (in the U.S.) get used to thinking about how they’re voting this year, and it happens every two years. There’s a lot of voting in the American system,” he said.

“There’s a possibility (B.C.) voters approach it with that mindset… I would be delighted to be surprised, but that wouldn’t be my expectation.”

Municipal and provincial election days fall one week apart next month in B.C.

Municipal voting day is on Saturday, Oct. 17, while provincial election day is on Saturday, Oct. 24.