Kamloops mayor undeterred by conflict of interest with developer — again

Kamloops Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson voted on a development led by a company whose co-owner he is suing.

Despite his efforts to blow past it, Hamer-Jackson was given ample warning as staff reminded him an investigator concluded a similar vote last year was a clear conflict of interest.

“I’ve got the legal advice twice now and I’ve told you that, so I’m good. Thank you very much,” Hamer-Jackson said a council meeting this week.

Typically, a council member would publicly declare their conflict of interest with a matter and leave council chambers. In this case, the person Hamer-Jackson has accused of defaming him applied for a development permit through his company.

“All that I’m asking you to consider at this time is whether in light of the release of that investigation report by an independent investigator, you have any concerns whether a court would take that into account should there be any concerns about conflict of interest for you,” corporate officer Maria Mazzotta said.

If this sounds familiar it’s because it already happened and when council considered the investigator’s findings this summer, they gave Hamer-Jackson another pay cut.

Arpa Investments, co-owned by Joshua Knaak, sought a development permit for a 344-unit apartment complex on Ord Road.

Hamer-Jackson voted in line with the rest of council and it was approved unanimously.

It’s not clear whether a councillor has filed another code of conduct complaint, but the last one cost $29,863 and it took more than half a year to complete.

“That litigation created a link between a personal consideration – the lawsuit – and the Mayor’s public law duty to vote on land use applications in a manner that reflects the public interest. I consider the Mayor’s interest a highly personal one, which is clearly distinct from the rest of the Council and certainly distinct from the electorate as a whole,” investigator Reece Harding had previously concluded.

Hamer-Jackson refused to cooperate with Harding, who wanted the mayor to agree to an interview and to prove he got legal advice that absolved him of a conflict. What Harding concluded was a non-pecuniary conflict ended with a combined 30 per cent pay cut if he failed to comply with certain council conditions.

Hamer-Jackson didn’t cooperate with the investigation nor did he comply with council conditions.

At this week’s meeting, Hamer-Jackson did mention twice getting legal advice on the matter, and it’s not the City’s responsibility to do so for council members.

“It’s your decision to make regardless. However, I want to ensure you’re aware that’s now public information from an independent investigator,” Mazzotta said.

The mayor then turned to criticize the investigator as biased against him and skewed by council, which he continued to refer to as a “jury” in code of conduct investigations.

“There are no juries in investigations,” Mazzotta said.

Unmoved, council continued to hear details of the Arpa Investments development plan and approve it.