Advisor wary of recall legislation as Kamloops councillors call for mayor's resignation

A provincially-appointed advisor sent to Kamloops with the goal of coaching city council through its dysfunction spent weeks working with the mayor and eight councillors, but he is "not optimistic" quarrels around the horseshoe will be resolved. Among his nearly two dozen recommendations to help them navigate issues between Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson and the rest of council, Henry Braun suggested the city could lobby for provincial recall legislation. It comes as Braun observed situation that is both "not normal" and "untenable" at Kamloops city hall, but he warned that recall legislation is not something that should be sought lightly. "If recall legislation is legislated, you're going to have something mayors and council who are more concerned about raising a controversial issue and voting 'no' against something that may give rise to a recall petition. They're going to be more concerned about that than whether it's in the best interest of the city going forward," he said. "That's my concern." It should be reserved for councils with "extreme dysfunction," he said. It's not clear whether councillors are taking the matter up with the province, but Braun said they did ask about the prospect of such legislation. "The people who elected you should be the ones who take you out of office," he said, expressing reservations over the prospect. There are ways of removing local politicians in BC, but there is a high bar to do so https://infotel.ca/newsitem/removing-the-mayor-of-kamloops-if-it-comes-to-that-wont-be-easy/it99008 . Alberta expanded voters' ability to recall elected leaders two years ago, but it's a move that's begun to draw criticism. https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/edmonton/alberta-municipalities-recall-1.7145979 It's not clear whether BC would consider expanding its own recall legislation, but Kamloops isn't the only city council in BC dealing with dysfunction. Harrison Hot Springs has been the scene of a turbulent council for more than a year. In Quesnel, a councillor called for the mayor to resign over comments from his wife doubting the existence of unmarked graves at Indian residential schools. In Kamloops, Coun. Margot Middleton's motion calling for the mayor's resignation https://infotel.ca/newsitem/kamloops-city-council-calls-for-mayor-to-resign/it104632 was a surprise to Braun, but not to some of her colleagues. Coun. Kelly Hall said there were discussions ahead of the May 7 meeting among councillors and at least some knew she would bring the proposal for a vote. It was Middleton's proposal that landed Braun the job as municipal advisor after she suggested council ask the province to help with the ongoing "dysfunction and discord." After replacing former MLA Peter Fassbender, Braun started working with Kamloops city council in February. He was contracted by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs, to which he sent his final report last week. On May 7, he presented it to city council. The damning report is largely focused on Hamer-Jackson and his inability to work with others. He avoids responsibility for his actions, holds grudges, and prefers "fighting disagreements" to constructive ones, according to the report. His "confrontational style" has led to staff resignations or stress leaves, while he is "dismissive and condescending" toward constructive criticism. Even when going out of his way to ask for advice, the mayor doesn't take it. "The mayor reached out multiple times to (me) for advice and guidance. Unfortunately, I did not observe that the mayor acted on that advice even once," Braun said to council. Braun offered ten recommendations for the mayor, including that he take conflict resolution training, take more time to understand "official documents" and he respect confidentiality rules. Hamer-Jackson should let go of his grudges against councillors or staff, while showing a "willingness to address issues before they escalate," according to the report. Whether Hamer-Jackson will take any of these recommendations is yet to be seen. Council heard from Braun in greater detail during a closed council ahead of the May 7 open meeting, but the mayor later told iNFOnews.ca that he hasn't had time to make any decisions. What is clear is that he won't be resigning, despite a united vote from all eight councillors calling on him to do so. "I'm going to work on the same goals I've had since I was elected," he said, but said he has "not made any decisions" when asked about whether he'll run again in two more years. Braun's 13 other recommendations were directed at council as a whole, which included suggestions like team building sessions, educational courses and creating "feedback mechanisms." It also included potential revisions to council's own code of conduct, like imposing financial restrictions against elected officials that don't follow the rules. "The reason it's in there is usually a reduction of finances is a good way to do that," Braun said. "This applies to councillors as well, it's not just for the mayor. So be careful what you ask for because you might regret it later on." Coun. Hall said council will work on implementing Braun's recommendations, but they have not made any policy changes so far. Municipal Affairs Minister Anne Kang indicated she's allowing Kamloops city council to work out its issues on its own. “I expect all members of council to work together to focus on good governance to serve the people of Kamloops," she said in an emailed statement. "I recognize that implementing the advice from the municipal advisor will take time. The Ministry of Municipal Affairs will continue to be available to provide guidance and additional support.” To contact a reporter for this story, email Levi Landry mailto:llandry@infonews.ca  or call 250-819-3723 or email the editor mailto:news@infonews.ca . 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