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iN DISCUSSION: Why wishing won’t restore vital service for homeless people in Kamloops

This is where cold hard facts give way to the hottest of takes, mostly mine I suppose. I’m the editor, Marshall Jones.

Want to include yours? Listen, this isn’t the comment section, this isn’t social media. Discussion and debate requires context and a wee bit of bravery — we need your name and where you’re writing from. Include it in your account or email me anytime.


The latest wisdom from Kamloops city council

Follow me for a moment as we consider the latest wisdom from Kamloops city council.

First some background. The city was for many years home to The Loop, a drop in day centre supporting homeless people so they could clean up and eat some food. It was run by volunteers.

But it was messy, as you might expect. It attracted some ne’er-do-wells, some violence, arguing, social problems, etc.

Nearby businesses hated it and the city was intent on shutting it down, issuing thousands of dollars in “nuisance” fines.

And they got what they wanted. The building was sold, the operation was largely over and the problem gone, for everyone but the homeless people. 

So now, of course, city council is pushing the provincial government for a day-space facility for homeless people. You know, somewhere people can gather, clean up and have a meal. 

They ran the volunteer organization into the ground, left this vital service vacant for a year without any plans for a backup. Now they’re still debating if they want to play provincial government games while lobbying and wishing and hoping for help while winter is (presumably) coming.

I just don’t get it. 

Anyway, that’s what’s on my mind as I wait for Santa. How about you? Email me at mjones@infonews.ca.

Mj

Marshall Jones

Managing Editor


iN RESONSE

Gift wrapping isn’t an art, it’s math in disguise: UBC researcher

I love this. My wrapping always looks like 2-year-old did it. Now I know why.

— Bonnie Derry via iNFOnews.ca


Tara Armstrong Recall Countdown

Tara Armstrong is currently the MLA for Kelowna-Lake Country-Coldstream. She rode the coattails of the BC Conservative Party, got elected, then rejected and left the party to serve as an Independent within weeks because the Conservatives were too left wing. Now she gets to spout moronic, hateful rhetoric and claim that her riding supports her.

iN DISCUSSION: Rats. So many rats | iNFOnews.ca
Kelowna-Lake Country-Coldstream MLA Tara Armstrong on April 17, 2025. Legislative Assembly of BC

Elections BC says you can recall an MLA if 40% of eligible voters in the riding sign a recall petition — but not for the first 18 months after an election. Some people started an online petition calling for a byelection once she made a shift to independent, then got herself a raise by forming her own party, but it won’t mean anything until the countdown clock hits zero.

So let the countdown begin!


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Marshall Jones

News is best when it's local, relevant, timely and interesting. That's our focus every day.

We are on the ground in Penticton, Vernon, Kelowna and Kamloops to bring you the stories that matter most.

Marshall may call West Kelowna home, but after 16 years in local news and 14 in the Okanagan, he knows better than to tell readers in other communities what is "news' to them. He relies on resident reporters to reflect their own community priorities and needs. As the newsroom leader, his job is making those reporters better, ensuring accuracy, fairness and meeting the highest standards of journalism.