Annual Report 2024

CITY OF KAMLOOPS

Annual Report 2024

For the year ended December 31, 2024

City of Kamloops British Columbia, Canada

CITY OF KAMLOOPS, BRITISH COLUMBIA, CANADA

Annual Report 2024

For the year ended December 31, 2024

Communications and Community Engagement Division and Corporate Services Department

The City of Kamloops acknowledges that we are located on Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc territory, situated within the unceded ancestral lands of the Secwépemc Nation. We honour and respect the people, the territory, and the land that houses our community.

Prepared by: City of Kamloops

Front Cover: Susan Myles Inside Cover: Tracy Mourre

This is...

Nestled at the confluence of the North and South Thompson Rivers, the city of Kamloops, British Columbia, is located on the Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc territory, situated within the unceded ancestral lands of the Secwépemc Nation. The City values its close relationship with the Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc, whose people and government maintain a profound connection to this region.

Kamloops sits on land that has been of great cultural and economic significance since time immemorial and continues to thrive as a vibrant and growing urban centre. With a population of over 103,000, Kamloops is one of Canada’s fastest-growing large urban communities, welcoming new residents from across the country and around the world. This growth adds to the city's dynamic character and deepens the diversity that defines our community.

Incorporated in 1893, Kamloops has evolved into a modern urban hub while retaining its welcoming spirit and western hospitality. In an age of rapid climate change, Kamloops has become a critical connecting point within the interior of BC, hosting and training volunteers and first responders and supporting evacuees when fires and floods impact communities throughout our region.

As Canada’s Tournament Capital, Kamloops is proud to lead in the development of amateur sports and cultural events at grassroots up to elite levels. Our inclusive and accessible approach has made us a premier destination for tournaments, training camps, and competitions from small to international in scale.

More than 800 dedicated City employees bring the mission of Making Kamloops Shine to life every day. Guided by strategic direction from City Council, these professionals deliver essential services, maintain and build critical infrastructure, foster sustainable growth, and work to enhance community well-being. This annual report reflects their achievements, challenges, and continued commitment to serving the people of Kamloops with integrity, innovation, and care.

Landscape Structures, Kathleen Fisher, Peter Olsen, Mary Putnam, Joshua Berson, Connor Denham

CITY OF KAMLOOPS

Message from the Chief Administrative Officer

2024 was a year of remarkable growth for Kamloops. As one of Canada’s fastest-growing cities, we are experiencing an exciting transformation filled with energy and opportunity. We are taking bold steps to ensure that our growth benefits every resident.

The Build Kamloops initiative gained momentum in 2024, bringing a vision to our community of renewed investment in recreation. We celebrated the grand opening of the Kamloops Seniors Community Centre, invested in repairs to extend the life of Kamloops’ only indoor soccer dome, and secured public approval for the borrowing bylaws that will enable the construction of the Kamloops Centre for the Arts and the Arena Multiplex, offering new cultural and recreational opportunities for all ages.

As we eagerly move forward with these new facilities, City staff continue to work hard to accommodate growing recreational demands within our existing spaces. Facility memberships and pass sales continued to increase in 2024. Despite limited ice time, public skating participation rose by 60%, demonstrating the community’s enthusiasm and need for more rinks. We introduced new inclusive recreational programs designed to support young families, neurodiverse children, new Canadians, and individuals with reduced mobility. We also continued to partner with Interior Health to provide safer exercise options to more than 2,500 people with complex medical conditions and care needs.

As more people seek to call Kamloops home, we see our city rise up as developers invest in our community. In 2024, we made development-friendly updates to our zoning bylaw and Official Community Plan (KAMPLAN), streamlined permitting processes, and invested in the infrastructure upgrades required to support densification in urban areas. We further advanced the Kamloops Community Land Trust Foundation by installing its inaugural Board of Directors to guide its efforts in creating and maintaining affordable housing.

2024 was a year of remarkable growth for Kamloops. As one of Canada’s fastest-growing cities, we are experiencing an exciting transformation filled with energy and opportunity.

City staff have worked tirelessly to enhance civic planning and service delivery. In 2024, we completed the City’s first Civic Facilities Master Plan, assessing the condition, capacity, and maintenance needs of 190 civic facilities. Overall, the year’s capital projects were completed under budget, and the effective use of collaborative procurement agreements allowed us to be nimble, delivering large-scale projects on time. Our communication strategies have evolved to include the expanded use of apps, alerts, social media, and more face-to-face engagement opportunities as we strive to keep residents informed and engaged.

In the face of competing priorities and challenges, the City has remained committed to leadership in environmental sustainability. In 2024, the first full year of city-wide curbside residential organic waste collection led to the diversion of 5,000 tonnes of organic waste, reducing landfill waste by 33%. We encouraged community involvement through our inaugural

Mary Putnam

Clean the Beach event and the continuation of our Community Climate Action Grant program, awarding 16 new grants to support local grassroots sustainability initiatives. Active transportation enhancements continued, along with the expansion of downtown bike valet services, and in partnership with the ThompsonNicola Regional District we opened a new year-round household hazardous waste drop-off facility, providing residents with safe and convenient disposal options.

I continue to be proud of our staff, who go above and beyond to serve the residents of Kamloops. This year, I’ve witnessed garbage truck drivers handing out toys to kids on their routes, crews stepping up to help construct a massive wooden stage for a dance competition, staff volunteering time to raise considerable funds for the United Way and the Kamloops Food Bank, and others giving their time on a weekend to drape an HVAC truck in thousands of lights for our first staff entry into the Santa Claus parade. With pride in service and a deep love for our community, our employees have quite literally been Making Kamloops Shine

As we look ahead, we remain committed to ensuring that Kamloops continues to grow in a way that is sustainable, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of our residents. I believe deeply in the Build Kamloops program we are implementing to achieve those goals, and I am excited to see it moving forward. Together, we are building a city that thrives today and for generations to come.

Byron McCorkell Chief Administrative Officer, City of Kamloops

City Management

Public Mayor and Council

City Administration and Departments

City Council 2022–2026

Bold action for a safe, vibrant, and resilient community.

Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson Councillor Dale Bass Councillor Nancy Bepple

Councillor Kelly Hall

Councillor Stephen Karpuk

Councillor Margot Middleton

Councillor Katie Neustaeter

Councillor Mike O’Reilly

Councillor Bill Sarai

Peter Olsen

COUNCIL'S VALUES

We build trust in our Council, organization, and community by being:

Respectful • Collaborative • Accountable

Purposeful • Optimistic

COUNCIL'S MISSION

Our mission is to be leaders and stewards by tackling important community issues to position the city for growth, vitality, and resilience to best serve our residents.

Christopher A. James

COUNCIL'S STRATEGIC PRIORITIES

Safety & Security

The City of Kamloops takes action to ensure all residents feel safe and secure in our community.

Governance & Service Excellence

The City of Kamloops has strong, accountable governance and makes fact-based decisions.

Livability & Sustainability

The City of Kamloops fosters a high quality of life for an inclusive, diverse, and sustainable community.

Mary Putnam

Mary Putnam

Peter Olsen

Economic Health

The City of Kamloops cultivates a positive business environment to support a vibrant and resilient economy.

Advocacy

The City of Kamloops clearly and strongly advocates for Kamloops to other organizations and levels of government.

Advocacy in Action:

City Council has identified these key topics in their Advocacy Strategic Priority.

• Justice Reform

• Housing

• Campus of Care

• Seniors Supports

• Wraparound Services for Supportive Housing

• Mental Health and Addiction Supports

• Immigration Supports

• Fire Mitigation

• Additions to Reserve Land

• Family Doctors

• Increased Staffing for BC Ambulance Service

• Agricultural Land Reserve Amendments

• Tax Amendments to Support Community Land Trusts

• HandiDart and Taxi Service Levels

• Support Agencies and Other Organizations Advocating for our Common Goals

Message from City Council

Kamloops is growing. That was the defining theme of 2024. As our population increases, we face important decisions about how to adapt, respond, and prepare for the future. In a community like Kamloops—often prized for its small-city character—growing pains naturally coincide with excitement and opportunity. As a Council, our role is to ensure that our response to growth is bold, proactive, intentional, sustainable, and inclusive so no one is left behind.

A key part of that work in 2024 was listening—deeply and thoughtfully—to residents. In the first half of the year, we wrapped up the Community + Council Conversations initiative, an ambitious project that engaged residents both in person and online. By visiting neighbourhoods and hosting discussions, we gathered valuable insights that now serve as a foundation for future decision-making.

We heard from residents that community safety remains a key priority. While we continue to address this shared concern, we celebrate some major achievements from 2024. The City expanded the Community Services Officer program to a 24/7 model, allowing officers to provide increased support to vulnerable populations while enhancing overall community safety. We also expanded the Block Watch program, empowering residents to take an active role in crime prevention. Targeted efforts by the local RCMP resulted in a 13% decrease in criminal offences and a reduction in traffic-related incidents. Calls

for service to both the RCMP and Community Services declined, and Kamloops Fire Rescue responded to fewer major incidents than in 2023—clear indicators that our strategies are having a positive impact.

Council has worked hard to encourage the housing growth that our city desperately needs through land use decisions and focused advocacy to other government agencies. We achieved some success through the provincial announcement of 20 new complex care beds in Kamloops and commitments to build 500 new homes and shelter spaces. These initiatives focus on providing secure housing for seniors, women and children leaving violence, individuals experiencing homelessness, and low-income families. While housing is critical, we recognize that a thriving city offers more than just shelter. Residents need access to community services, health care, child care, recreation, and cultural opportunities. That is where Build Kamloops plays a vital role.

Many of the priorities Council campaigned on are now taking shape through Build Kamloops. We opened a seniors’ centre, repaired the soccer dome, and secured public support to borrow for the first two major projects: building the Kamloops Centre for the Arts and a new, state-of-the-art Arena Multiplex. These investments reflect our commitment to fostering a vibrant, inclusive, and dynamic city. As we move forward, we will continue to approach growth with fiscal responsibility and a strong commitment to community engagement.

Together, we can ensure that Kamloops remains a place where all residents can thrive.

City Council 2022–2026

City of Kamloops

Peter Olsen

Safety & Security

The City of Kamloops takes action to ensure all residents feel safe and secure in our community.

AREAS OF FOCUS

SAFETY

We prioritize the safety of our community for residents, businesses, and visitors.

HOUSING

We proactively create opportunities to increase the inventory of diverse housing supply so that residents can access and move throughout the housing continuum.

SOCIAL SUPPORTS

We intentionally collaborate with key partners to create innovative solutions that respond to and address the community’s needs.

EMERGENCY PREPAREDNESS AND RESPONSE

We build community resiliency, mitigate the impacts of emergency events, streamline response, and ensure our protective services align with evolving needs.

BUILT ENVIRONMENT

We create diverse community spaces for people to safely travel through, gather in, and experience our community.

Peter Olsen

DID YOU KNOW?

In February 2024, the City hosted an outreach networking workshop attended by 70 outreach and support workers representing 19 different organizations serving in our community. The workshop provided an opportunity for these people in these important roles to build connections and share information and resources with one another, strengthening the collective workforce and tackling some of the toughest social issues that our City faces.

Kamloops Expands Community Services Officers to 24/7 Coverage

In July 2024, after months of dedicated recruitment and training, the City reached the necessary staffing levels to successfully expand its Community Services Officer program to a 24/7 service model. During their new night shifts, Community Services Officers conduct community patrols, secure City assets, and respond to service calls for concerns like noise complaints. This expansion enhances the City's ability to provide consistent and proactive support to residents. It also meets a key community request stemming from feedback gathered during the City’s Community + Council Conversations events.

The transition to a 24/7 service model has yielded positive results for the Community Services team, with officers reporting improved work-life balance and a noticeable increase in staff retention. With a stronger, more stable workforce, the City is now preparing for the next step—expanding joint patrols with RCMP members in spring 2025. This partnership and the ongoing program of partnering with social agency outreach workers allow officers to provide even greater support to vulnerable populations while contributing to safer city streets. The Community Services team’s successful expansion of community presence highlights the City’s ongoing commitment to community safety, responsiveness, and collaboration.

Peter Olsen

22,666 CALLS FOR SERVICE

In April 2024, the Province announced a commitment to open 20 new complex care beds in Kamloops for people struggling with mental health and substance use issues. These beds should help to address a significant gap in wraparound services that the City has been lobbying to have addressed.

Block Watch Program Sees Major Growth

In 2024, Kamloops’ Block Watch program saw significant growth, reinforcing the power of neighbours looking out for one another. The program, which encourages residents to form communication networks to report suspicious activities, plays a vital role in reducing residential crime. To strengthen and expand the initiative, the City reviewed the existing program and developed new, statistic-driven materials aimed at forming more groups in higher-crime areas. A major milestone came in April when the Block Watch program was integrated into the Crime Prevention Unit, allowing for greater coordination, resources, and outreach efforts.

This transition sparked impressive engagement, with the Crime Prevention Unit actively promoting the program and encouraging residents to participate. By the end of 2024, the number of Block Watch neighbourhoods had more than quadrupled, with over 560 participants committed to making their communities safer. Volunteer Block Captains play a crucial role in establishing effective communication channels, ensuring that information flows smoothly between residents and law enforcement. With this momentum, the Block Watch program continues to make a meaningful impact, fostering safer, more connected neighbourhoods across the city.

Mary Putnam

Positive Trends for Crime Reduction

Kamloops RCMP made significant strides in enhancing public safety throughout 2024 by employing strategic enforcement and fostering community partnerships. With a continued focus on reducing crime, their targeted efforts resulted in a 13% decrease in criminal offences. Notably, business break-and-enters and vehicle-related thefts saw major reductions. Person offences, including assaults and robberies, also declined alongside mental health-related incidents. The Integrated Crisis Response Team, formerly known as Car 40, played a crucial role in these improvements, responding to 2,073 interventions to provide critical support to individuals in distress.

Traffic safety was another key area of focus, with the RCMP implementing increased visibility and targeted campaigns to curb impaired driving, speeding, and distracted driving. These initiatives resulted in a noticeable decline in traffic-related incidents and increased public awareness of road safety. Beyond enforcement, the RCMP deepened its commitment to crime prevention in 2024 by strengthening collaborations with local organizations, schools, and Indigenous communities. These partnerships have fostered youth engagement programs, mental health initiatives, and outreach efforts aimed at addressing the root causes of crime.

3%

CRIMES AGAINST PERSONS

From 2023

ACTUAL CRIMINAL CODE OFFENCES

13%

CRIMES AGAINST PROPERTY

From 2023

26%

OTHER CRIMINAL CODE VIOLATIONS

From 2023

City of Kamloops

RCMP Calls for Service

Using the Power of Cinema to Tackle Challenging Safety Topics

as a Community

After being named a recipient of the federal Building Safer Communities Fund in 2023, the City launched several initiatives aimed at reducing gun and gang violence. As part of these efforts, Kamloops hosted a free screening of Dark Highway at the Paramount Theatre on October 2 and 3, 2024. This powerful documentary exposes the hidden crime of human and sex trafficking in Canada, a critical issue for Kamloops as a major transportation hub connected to highways spanning the country.

The screening, presented by the City’s Guns and Gangs Intervention and Prevention Program, featured introductions by Dark Highway co-producer and director AJ Edmonds, with closing remarks by human rights advocate Kelly Tallon Franklin. While admission was free, donations were accepted for Courage for Freedom, an organization dedicated to combating human trafficking. In addition to the screening, Franklin partnered with BGC Kamloops and the Kamloops Sexual Assault Counselling Centre to lead an exclusive workshop for youth and adult service providers. By addressing the link between gangs and human trafficking, Kamloops is taking a stand against organized crime while equipping the community with knowledge and resources to protect those at risk.

Tourism Kamloops | Dylan Sherrard

DID YOU KNOW?

The City continues to expand its use of the Voyent Alert! emergency notification system, with resident subscriptions growing to 28,488 by the end of 2024—a 7.4% increase from 2023. While no critical emergencies occurred this year, the City used the app to issue alerts on unplanned water interruptions and cooling centre activations. The City appreciates residents' ongoing adoption of the system and remains committed to enhancing its use for both critical and non-critical emergency notifications.

Advocacy in Action:

Strategic, collaborative advocacy spearheaded by the City-facilitated Kamloops Recovery Engagement and Bed Utilization Committee helped yield meaningful results in 2024. On March 12, 2024, the Province announced a near doubling of its Social Development and Poverty Reductions per diem rates. This per diem funding allows many local treatment and recovery service providers to house program participants, but the rates had fallen drastically shy of the actual costs to provide such services. While more system-wide investments are needed, the increased funding is helping to sustain critical local services.

Don Garrish

Advocacy in Action:

Safety was a central focus of advocacy efforts in 2024, with staff and Council actively engaging higher levels of government through letters, meetings, delegations, and submitted reports on topics such as the need for a sobering centre in Kamloops, a dedicated Emergency Support Services/Evacuation Centre, day space programming, a community court, more wraparound services in shelters, more social housing, and funding for the Kamloops Fire Rescue medical response unit.

SAFETY AND SECURITY ADVOCACY INITIATIVES

19 MEETINGS ATTENDED

38 LETTERS SENT

2 DETAILED ADVOCACY REPORTS SUBMITTED

Kamloops Fire Rescue Update

66% OF CALLS WERE MEDICAL RESPONSES

10,825

 0.4% INCIDENTS DISPATCHED IN KAMLOOPS from 2023

78%

URBAN RESPONSE SUCCESS RATE

 1 .7% meeting first response time within 7 minutes 30 seconds from 2023

53%

RURAL/REMOTE RESPONSE SUCCESS RATE

 9.5% meeting first response time within 15 minutes 45 seconds from 2023

Kamloops Fire Rescue

DID YOU KNOW?

In July 2024, Kamloops Fire Rescue introduced post-event engagements to provide timely fire safety information and check smoke alarms in homes near recent fire incidents. This initiative aims to increase awareness by leveraging the impact of nearby fires to encourage preparedness. Since its launch, 63 engagements have been conducted, receiving positive responses from residents.

Kamloops Fire Rescue Celebrates 140 Years

Kamloops Fire Rescue marked its 140th anniversary in 2024, celebrating a legacy of dedication and service since its founding in 1884. Over the years, the department has evolved, but its commitment to community safety remains steadfast. To honour this milestone, Fire Chief Ken Uzeloc and his team hosted summer barbecues at fire stations, inviting residents to meet the fire rescue crews, tour the stations, explore fire trucks, and enjoy food and refreshments.

Kamloops Fire Rescue

DID YOU KNOW?

The Kamloops FireSmart team helps homeowners reduce wildfire risks through education, planning, and mitigation. In 2024, the City hired a dedicated FireSmart Liaison to strengthen community resilience by working closely with residents, local governments, and various interest holders. Thanks to the team’s efforts, FireSmart property inspections more than doubled in 2024, with 200 homes receiving free assessments and recommendations.

How Kamloops is Adapting to Extreme Heat

Extreme heat is an increasing concern for Kamloops and other British Columbia communities, with events like the 2021 heat dome highlighting the risks to public health, natural systems, and local infrastructure. While such severe heat waves currently occur once every five to ten years, climate projections indicate a 39% rise in extremely hot days by 2050, suggesting that both the frequency and intensity of these events will increase. In response, in 2024, the City secured $30,000 from the Union of BC Municipalities Community Emergency Preparedness Fund to conduct heat risk assessments, map vulnerable areas, and develop an Extreme Heat Response Plan. This plan aims to minimize health impacts, implement mitigation strategies, and ensure continuity in response efforts over time.

A key aspect of the planning process was identifying the most heat-vulnerable areas of Kamloops, which tend to have high exposure, limited vegetation, and socioeconomic challenges. Residents in older, multi-unit rental housing with inadequate cooling systems are particularly at risk, especially when compounded by factors such as reliance on public transit, health conditions, or social isolation. To address these challenges, the City’s Heat Alert Response System introduces targeted actions, including improved communication strategies, extended hours for public water features, and suggested cooling spaces at accessible locations. In 2024, the City’s extreme heat response was activated July 5–22 and August 1–4. The long-term goal of the Extreme Heat Response Plan is to make Kamloops more resilient to extreme heat, reducing the need for emergency interventions and ensuring a safer urban environment during increasingly hot weather.

Kevin Palmer

DID YOU KNOW?

As part of its ongoing commitment to wildfire prevention and community safety, Kamloops Fire Rescue provided cedar hedge chipping services in four target neighbourhoods in 2024. Cedar hedges are a significant fire risk due to their high resin content, dense foliage, and ability to dry out quickly. The program’s success is helping our community become more FireSmart.

DID YOU KNOW?

In 2024, Kamloops Fire Rescue joined FireSafe, a program through the Office of the Fire Commissioner to install free smoke alarms in highneed homes. The program’s goal is to prevent emergencies and enhance community safety. Using census and fire department data, firefighters visited neighbourhoods in Kamloops and Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc. In total, they visited over 1,200 homes and installed 515 smoke alarms.

+1,200 HOME VISITS

515

SMOKE ALARMS INSTALLED

Bryce Williams

Advocacy in Action:

On June 24, 2024, years of advocacy and relationship building yielded a major milestone in the City’s efforts to create more attainable and diverse housing options for our community when the Province announced several new developments that will add over 500 new homes and shelter spaces to meet the needs of individuals and families in Kamloops. City staff worked closely with BC Housing and the Ministry of Housing to host the Honourable Ravi Kahlon, Minister of Housing for the announcement.

200 ATTAINABLE RENTAL HOMES

• for middle-income individuals and families

• within the Columbia Precinct lands

80 AFFORDABLE RENTAL HOMES

• for individuals, families, seniors, and people living with disabilities

• on Lorne Street and Oak Road

98 HOMES WITH SUPPORTS

• for people experiencing homelessness

• Replacing 50 end-of-life units on Mission Flats Road

22-unit SECOND-STAGE TRANSITION HOUSE

• for women and children leaving violence

40-unit SHELTER SPACE

• for seniors and older adults experiencing homelessness

• within the Columbia Precinct lands

~100-units OF RAPID TEMPORARY HOUSING

• for people who are currently unhoused or living in shelters

Peter Olsen

DID YOU KNOW?

Despite it being a relatively quiet year for forest fires and flooding in the interior, our Emergency Support Services team was busy recruiting and training to be ready when needed. Our volunteer base reached an all-time high of 210 members, who contributed a total of 8,605 hours in 2024. Volunteers also participated in a total of 4,000 hours of training. Six Emergency Support Services volunteers were recognized for 20 years of service, and two volunteers were recognized for 30 years of service.

8,605

VOLUNTEER HOURS

210 MEMBERS

4,000 HOURS OF TRAINING SESSIONS

Peter Olsen

KAMLOOPS EMERGENCY SUPPORT SERVICES SAFETY & SECURITY

Governance & Service Excellence

The City of Kamloops has strong, accountable governance and makes fact-based decisions.

AREAS OF FOCUS

ASSET MANAGEMENT

We plan for the development, improvement, repair, and replacement of our infrastructure.

TRUTH AND RECONCILIATION

We take action to advance Truth and Reconciliation through the guidance and leadership of our Indigenous partners.

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

We promote purposeful, available, and innovative engagement opportunities to ensure a range of voices are heard, thus informing decisions, creating transparency, and cultivating relationships.

FISCAL RESPONSIBILITY

We are accountable to Kamloops residents and businesses in providing effective management, best value, and responsible use of tax dollars.

SERVICE EXCELLENCE

We promote the continuous development of staff and encourage innovation in process and service delivery.

GOVERNANCE

Council embraces our diversity and shared commitment to the citizens of Kamloops. We put the interests of the City ahead of our own and advocate with a unified voice, fostering public confidence through healthy debate and sound decision-making which we collectively stand behind.

Mary Putnam

DID YOU KNOW?

Kamloops has been a member of the Coalition of Inclusive Municipalities since 2023, gaining access to a network of communities committed to equity, diversity, and inclusion. Membership provides valuable resources, training opportunities, and forums for discussing key issues, including racial profiling, 2SLGBTQIA+ inclusion, reconciliation, and welcoming newcomers. As part of its strategic plan, Kamloops has taken the initiative to connect with other BC municipalities to form a resource-sharing group. This collaboration aims to exchange knowledge; share successful equity, diversity, and inclusion strategies; and support joint initiatives that foster more inclusive communities.

City Welcomes New Chief Administrative Officer

On October 15, 2024, the City officially appointed Byron McCorkell as its new interim Chief Administrative Officer. Having successfully served as Acting Chief Administrative Officer in the months leading up to his appointment, McCorkell stepped into the role following the extended leave of former Chief Administrative Officer David Trawin. With a tenure at the City of Kamloops dating back to 1999 when he first took on the role of Parks and Recreation Director, McCorkell has been a driving force behind the city’s growth. His leadership has been instrumental in solidifying Kamloops as Canada’s Tournament Capital, while his strategic vision and commitment to innovation continue to shape the community’s future.

McCorkell’s deep-rooted dedication to Kamloops has already made a significant impact, earning the trust and support of City Council and many in the community. His ability to foster partnerships and drive progress will be vital in guiding Kamloops through its next phase of development. City Council looks forward to working with McCorkell as he leads the organization, focusing on innovation, efficiency, and community engagement to ensure that Kamloops remains a dynamic and forward-thinking city for years to come.

Darcy Peel

A Season of Intentional Listening and Learning

Starting late in 2023 and running through spring 2024, the City took a bold step in public engagement by launching Community + Council Conversations, a pilot project designed to bring Council and residents together for meaningful, face-to-face discussions. Over the course of seven neighbourhood meetings, 353 attendees shared their insights on Council’s strategic priorities, highlighting what is working well and where more attention is needed. These interactive sessions featured casual one-on-one conversations and round-table discussions using a world café format. Residents also had the chance to refine and prioritize key themes through the City's online engagement platform, generating 236 contributions and over 1,400 votes on issues that matter most to them.

This pilot project required considerable effort, with over 400 hours of staff time, including 120 hours outside regular hours. The outcome was a clear, community-driven list of priorities to guide future decision making. Survey results showed strong public satisfaction with the overall pilot, with many participants appreciating the opportunity to voice their concerns in a well-organized, respectful setting. The Community + Council Conversations events demonstrated Council’s commitment to understanding residents’ key concerns and allowing them to drive Council’s strategic direction.

COMMUNITY + COUNCIL CONVERSATIONS

7

NEIGHBOURHOOD MEETINGS

353 ATTENDEES

236 ONLINE CONTRIBUTIONS

+1,400 ONLINE VOTES ON ISSUES

Peter Olsen

2024/2025 Junior Council

Junior Council is a body of local high school students in grades 10 to 12 that functions as a mirror of City Council. Chosen for their leadership potential and commitment to community service, these students serve for one school year from September to June. During their term, they receive administrative reports and discuss, deliberate, and vote on key issues. Their recommendations are shared at regular Council meetings, ensuring that youth perspectives help shape important decisions. Sometimes Junior Council even lends its voice to help Council in advocacy initiatives to other levels of government, like the case when Junior Councillor Alya Van Laer participated in meetings with the Ministry of Education at the Union of British Columbia Municipalities 2024 Conference. The Junior Council initiative truly serves as a training ground for tomorrow’s civic leaders.

DID YOU KNOW?

The City once again partnered with BC Transit in 2024 to host the annual Stuff the Bus event on December 7 and 8 at the Columbia Square Save-On-Foods to support the Kamloops Food Bank. Residents showed their generosity in a big way by contributing $3,995.55 in monetary donations and stuffing a transit bus with 1,510 lb. of non-perishable food items.

City of Kamloops

2024–2025 City of Kamloops Junior Council (from left to right: Alya Van Laer, South Kamloops; Lauren MacLean, NorKam; Jake Washington, NorKam; Nancy Bepple, *City Councillor; Jacey Hallstrom, Westsyde; Katherine McCleary, Valleyview; Matthew Lysak, Sahali; Ave Rieger, South Kamloops; Rasiq Dewan, Sahali)

Truth and Reconciliation

In 2024, the City continued to foster bonds with our neighbours and partners at Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc as we walk a shared journey toward truth and reconciliation. The year included considerable collaboration on new initiatives and some meaningful moments of growth and connection.

A Successful Bid to Host the 2025 National Aboriginal Hockey Championships

In 2024, the City partnered with Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc, the Kamloops Sports Council, Tourism Kamloops, BC Hockey, and several other local and provincial organizations to successfully secure a bid to host the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships in 2025. This event brings together elite Indigenous male and female hockey players from across Canada for a six-day tournament competing for the prestigious Turtle Island Cup. The bid was the result of strong collaboration among the partners, with each partner contributing to the effort to host this unique event celebrating Indigenous talent and culture.

Mary Putnam

New Fire Engine Becomes a Symbol of Unity and Protection for All

The fire engine push-in ceremony at Kamloops Fire Rescue Station No. 1 on November 29, 2024, marked a joyful moment in the strengthening relationship between the City and Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc. Kamloops Fire Rescue provides a dedicated response to the citizens of both Kamloops and Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc communities. A strong partnership in emergency management and preparedness between our communities helps keep citizens throughout the region safe. In recognition of this connection and as a powerful symbol acknowledging the unceded lands on which Kamloops stands, all new fire engines serving Kamloops Fire Rescue, starting with this one, will be adorned with the Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc logo. The push-in ceremony brought together Kamloops Fire Rescue, Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc leadership, City Council, and community members to celebrate the arrival of the new fire engine with a brand new look.

Leaders from both communities emphasized the importance of partnership in emergency management and preparedness, with Kúkpi7 Rosanne Casimir highlighting the significance of the logo as a testament to their strong working relationship. The participation of the junior fire chiefs and youth representatives underscored a vision for future collaboration built on mutual respect and understanding. As cheers and applause filled the fire station, the ceremony stood as a proud reflection of the growing bond between Kamloops and Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc—one rooted in shared responsibility and a commitment to protecting all residents.

City of Kamloops

DID YOU KNOW?

In 2024 the City and Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc renewed the Community Transit Partnership Agreement with several exciting expansions slotted for 2025, including the introduction of handyDART services to Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc and the expansion of Route 18 (Mt. Paul) with an additional stop at the Sweláps Market and new service hours, including weekday evenings and weekends.

Kamloops and Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc Unite for National Day of Truth and Reconciliation

The City of Kamloops and Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc partnered for the first time to host a joint event in commemoration of the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation on September 27, 2024. Held at the Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc Arbour, the event featured cultural teachings, engaging activities, and tours of the Kamloops Residential School, culminating in a one-mile Orange Shirt Day Walk. Deputy Mayor Stephen Karpuk emphasized the importance of collaboration in reconciliation, while Kúkpi7 Rosanne Casimir highlighted the event as a meaningful step in honouring Survivors and fostering education and healing.

The event was free and open to the public, with attendees encouraged to wear orange shirts as a symbol of remembrance and awareness. Participants were given the opportunity to listen, learn, and reflect on the history and generational effects of residential schools. Supported in part by Heritage Canada, the initiative aligned with the federal statutory holiday established in 2021, which recognizes the experiences of Indigenous communities. Through this event, the City of Kamloops demonstrated their commitment to reconciliation, ensuring that the stories and truths of the past continue to shape a more informed and united future.

Mary Putnam

Mary Putnam

DID YOU KNOW?

In 2024, the City completed a cost comparison of project engineering design from 2022 and 2023. It concluded that in-house engineering design on major construction projects resulted in a 10% cost savings compared to projects where external consultants are used, saving the City over $1 million annually. City Engineers were busy in 2024 supporting 11 major construction projects with 15 more in the design phase.

Restructuring Civic Operations for Enhanced Governance and Efficiency

In 2024, the City restructured its Civic Operations Department to improve service delivery and operational efficiency. One example of exciting change is the creation of a new Parks and Streets Section. By merging the Parks and Streets teams, the City aims to integrate equipment and personnel expertise to enhance service levels throughout the year. This strategic change reflects a commitment to good governance by optimizing resources, reducing redundancies, and ensuring a more responsive approach to community needs.

One of the first initiatives under this new structure was a pilot project that leverages both parks and streets equipment to improve snow clearing in our challenging-to-navigate cul-de-sacs during the winter months. This collaborative effort exemplifies the City’s proactive approach to problemsolving and resource alignment. With a seamless transition between winter and summer operations, the Parks and Streets team will deliver a higher standard of service, demonstrating the City’s ongoing commitment to operational excellence and community-focused governance.

Peter Olsen

Public Works Association of BC’s Emerging Leader of the Year Award for Dylan Scott

In connection to his role leading the team that optimized our water treatment process, Dylan Scott, the City Utilities Treatment Supervisor, was awarded the Public Works Association of BC’s Emerging Leader of the Year award. Scott has demonstrated exceptional leadership in mentoring and developing a resilient, highly qualified team, fostering a culture of innovation and empowering staff to seek continuous improvements. His commitment to professional growth, implementing innovative processes, and enhancing public relations has resulted in cost-saving achievements and significantly contributed to the advancement of the utility treatment profession.

Kamloops Certificate of Recognition Demonstrates Excellence in Workplace Safety

The City achieved a milestone in 2024, passing the BC Municipal Safety Association Certificate of Recognition (COR) audit with an outstanding score of 84%. This accomplishment reflects the City's commitment to maintaining rigorous safety standards and fostering a secure work environment for its employees. The 2024 COR audit included on-site interviews, document reviews, and observations, and recognized the City's excellence in program administration, organizational commitment, and the effectiveness of the Joint Health and Safety Committee.

Beyond earning certification, this achievement also qualifies the City for an annual incentive payment of approximately $290,000 from WorkSafeBC for the three-year duration of certification. More importantly, it reinforces a culture of collective responsibility where safety remains a top priority at every level of the organization. By maintaining high standards and continuous improvement, Kamloops ensures a safe and supportive workplace, benefiting employees and the community as a whole.

$290,000

Kathleen Fisher

City of Kamloops

Dylan Scott

An Infrastructure Delivery Success Story

Since December 2021, the Infrastructure Delivery Division, with direct and indirect support from all other City departments, has managed $130 million in capital spending. Overall, the completed capital projects came in under budget by 3.84% ($3,249,847), with projects underway at the time of reporting also expected to come in under budget. Despite industry-wide material and labour shortages, the City has completed a record number of projects, ensuring infrastructure keeps pace with community needs.

A key factor in this success has been the use of collaborative procurement agreements, which secure key service providers in advance for both design and construction. This early collaboration between designers and builders has led to more reliable construction schedules, fewer change orders, and better project ownership. The City’s approach has also allowed it to stay ahead of market challenges, avoiding delays that have affected many public sector projects elsewhere. Instead of struggling to attract bids and carrying funds forward, Kamloops has been able to deliver projects on time while maximizing taxpayer dollars. Recent successes highlight the City's ability to manage complex capital projects efficiently while adapting to changing economic conditions. The Infrastructure Delivery Division continues to refine its strategies to ensure future projects are delivered with the same level of efficiency, cost savings, and long-term planning. These efforts will help the City maintain and improve its essential infrastructure for years to come, even as we adapt to a less predictable climate demanding more extreme infrastructure resiliency.

City of Kamloops

DID YOU KNOW?

As we continue to adapt to climate change and more frequent years of severe drought, the City has been listening to residents’ concerns regarding water use restrictions. In 2024, the City introduced a new year-round Water Use Restriction Plan. Developed with community feedback and local best practices, the plan clearly outlines 14 types of water use activities and their permitted levels under normal, heightened, and severe drought conditions. While adding more detail, the new system makes it easier to understand restrictions, ensuring sustainable water use while eliminating non-essential consumption during extreme droughts.

Proactive Planning to Maintain City Facilities

The City maintains 190 civic facilities that provide essential community services, collectively valued at approximately $1.5 billion. As the city grows, so do the challenges of maintaining and planning for these buildings. To address those challenges, in 2024, the City created its first Strategic Civic Facilities Master Plan, funded entirely by a $750,000 grant from the Union of British Columbia Municipalities.

The planning process involved assessing the condition, capacity, and performance of existing facilities and creating a centralized data source to guide future decision making. The findings showed that most buildings are well maintained and serve their intended purpose. The plan recommends targeted upgrades, policy improvements, and better data management to ensure Kamloops’ civic facilities continue to meet community needs for the next decade and beyond.

Aura Rodriguez

DID YOU KNOW?

Since October 2017, the Waste Wise Kamloops app has helped residents know exactly what goes in each bin and when to bring them to the curb. The app offers useful tips, timely reminders, and an easy way to report collection issues. In 2024, over 35% (17,400) of addresses on curbside collection were using the app. The City found a way to make it even more helpful by using tailored alerts to keep users informed on collection service changes. In 75 instances where there were service interruptions, residents were notified through the app, helping to reduce confusion and anticipate service impacts.

9,377 POTHOLE REPAIRS

25 STREETS RECIEVED ASPHALT OVERLAY AND MILLING PATCHES

City of Kamloops

Maintaining City Assets 2024

Pemberton Water System Upgrades

Installing a new reservoir and booster station within Greenstone Park

Tranquille Gateway Improvements

Performing utility work, installing a sidewalk, and constructing a multi-use pathway

City Centre Sanitary Upgrades

Installing a trunk sewer main along Lansdowne Street

Pioneer Park Improvements

Upgrading a water main and reconstructing the parking lot with additional parking

Lower Springhill Erosion Prevention

Upgrading drainage pipework, installing rip-rap, and performing restorative planting

Clapperton Road Sidewalk Completion

Forming an important east-west pedestrian link to the Tranquille Market Corridor

Pines Springs Road Sidewalk Completion

Providing safer passage for children getting to David Thompson Elementary School

Maximizing Grant Funding to Benefit Our Community

Securing external funding through grants helps ease the local tax burden and enables the City to pursue valuable projects that might not be possible otherwise. However, the grant process is complex, requiring extensive research, cross-departmental collaboration, detailed applications, and ongoing project monitoring to meet funding requirements.

+$375,000

RECEIVED FROM GRANT APPLICATIONS SUBMITTED IN 2024

In 2024, City staff, with support from the Grants and Awards Specialist, applied for 19 grants. To date, three applications have been successfully awarded, bringing in over $375,000. Five applications totalling over $9 million dollars are still pending decisions, four applications were declined, and one was awarded but rescinded during the 2025 federal election process. This funding has already had a meaningful impact, supporting initiatives like a watershed climate change adaptation study and a medically equipped van and outreach supplies to support Kamloops Fire Rescue and our Community Services Officers. By proactively seeking grant opportunities, the City continues to invest in initiatives that strengthen our community, without placing the full financial burden on taxpayers.

AREAS OF FOCUS SUPPORTED BY GRANTS IN 2024 INCLUDE THE FOLLOWING:

• Climate adaptation - $150,000

• Trades training research - $75,000

• Creating efficiencies in the development approval process - $150,000

Gail Kipp

INVOICES AND CHEQUES

FREEDOM OF INFORMATION REQUESTS

DID YOU KNOW?

City staff, families, and friends proudly marched in the 2024 Kamloops Pride Parade, celebrating inclusivity and community spirit. Throughout Pride Week, the City hosted various events, including a joint community open house at Thompson Rivers University, two Pride swims, and a Rainbow Magic Passport Program at the Kamloops Museum and Archives, which drew over 180 participants. The Kamloops Museum and Archives also launched an initiative to preserve local 2SLGBTQPIA+ stories, ensuring future generations can learn from and celebrate Kamloops' diverse history.

Peter Olsen

Social Media Engagement

In 2024, the City of Kamloops hired a Digital Content Specialist to oversee content and growth strategies for all digital communications platforms, including social media channels, websites, and the City’s intranet. Through the expertise of this new role, the City’s digital presence has strategically evolved to provide a better user experience tailored to each unique platform.

45,691

27,350 ENGAGEMENTS

47,945

City of Kamloops

Public Engagement 2024

The Public Engagement timeline illustrates a selection of key engagement initiatives that took place from January to December 2024. Outlined below is the level of engagement, the project name, engagement method, and key dates.

INVOLVE

Community and Council Conversations

WORLD CAFE: JANUARY 24

INFORM

Kamloops Community Land Trust Foundation

LET’S TALK: JANUARY–NOVEMBER

COMMUNITY PRESENTATION: JANUARY 31, FEBRUARY 8, 16, 27

CONSULT

Budget 2024

LET’S TALK: JANUARY–APRIL

INFORMATION SESSION: FEBRUARY 20

1st Avenue and Lansdowne

Intersection Improvements

LET’S TALK: JANUARY

FEBRUARY

Active Transportation Plan

ENGAGEMENT GROUP: JANUARY 19

CONSULT

East Kamloops Master Watershed Plan

LET’S TALK: FEBRUARY–MARCH

CONSULT

Active Transportation Plan

LET’S TALK: FEBRUARY–DECEMBER

ENGAGEMENT GROUP: FEBRUARY 21

HEALTHY KAMLOOPS ENGAGEMENT GROUP: FEBRUARY 22

ACCESSIBILITY ENGAGEMENT GROUP: FEBRUARY 28

CONSULT

City Centre Sanitary Upgrades

LET’S TALK: FEBRUARY–NOVEMBER

MARCH

INFORM

Neighbourhood Association Forum

MARCH 7

CONSULT

KFR Community Risk Assessment

LET’S TALK: MARCH–APRIL

INFORM

East Kamloops Parks and Transportation Network Changes

LET’S TALK: MARCH–JULY INFORMATION SESSION: APRIL 4

INFORM

Build Kamloops

COMMUNITY PRESENTATION: MARCH 22

APRIL

CONSULT

Kamloops Centre for the Arts

LET’S TALK: FEBRUARY–SEPTEMBER

Community and Council Conversations

WORLD CAFE: FEBRUARY 29 X 2

INFORM

Cultural Strategic Plan Adoption

LET’S TALK: FEBRUARY

CONSULT

Bear-Resistant Carts Pilot Program

FEBRUARY–MARCH

INFORM

Kamloops Community Land Trust Foundation

COMMUNITY

PRESENTATION: APRIL 8

INVOLVE

Community and Council Conversations

WORLD CAFE: APRIL 25

INFORM

INFORM

Voyent Alert!

INFO BOOTH: MARCH 7

INFORM

Capital Projects

INVOLVE

Reimagining Museums: A Community Conversation

MARCH 14

(Sifton, 7th Avenue and Pioneer Park Improvements, Tranquille Gateway Improvements, Lower Springhill Erosion Project, Albert McGowan Park Upgrades, Copperhead Drive Extension Project, Brock Arena Ice Plant Replacement, Westsyde Road Watermain Project, Riverside Park Outdoor Skating Facility)

LET’S TALK: ONGOING

Spring Home Show

INFO BOOTHS: APRIL 13–14

CONSULT

Active Transportation Plan

ENGAGEMENT GROUP: MAY 29, APRIL 10

For

CONSULT

Building Regulations and Zoning Changes/Bylaw Updates for Housing

LET’S TALK: MAY–JUNE

CONSULT

Build Kamloops

LET’S TALK: JUNE–SEPTEMBER

COMMUNITY PRESENTATIONS: JUNE 7, 20, 25

INFORM

Build Kamloops Launch

PRESENTATION: JUNE 25

INFORM Firesmart

LET’S TALK: ONGOING

Kamloops Fire Rescue 140 Years of Service BBQ and Open House

JULY 27, 28, AUGUST 10, 11, 17, 18, 24

CONSULT

Build Kamloops

OPEN HOUSE: JULY 9

INFORM

Voyent Alert!

TEST ALERT: MAY 10

INFORM

Build Kamloops

COMMUNITY PRESENTATION: MAY 30

INFORM

Arena Multiplex

LET’S TALK: JUNE–SEPTEMBER

CONSULT

Bear-Resistant Carts Pilot Program

JUNE–AUGUST

EMPOWER

Build Kamloops

Alternative Approval Processes

JULY 30–SEPTEMBER 13

Build Kamloops Celebration of the Arts

JULY 29 EVENT

INFORM

Build Kamloops Pop Ups

INFO BOOTHS: JULY 17, 19, 24, 27, 29

COMMUNITY PRESENTATION: AUGUST 12 EVENT

Build Kamloops: Kamloops Seniors

Community Centre Grand Opening SEPTEMBER 9

INFORM

Fall Home Show

INFO BOOTHS: OCTOBER 5–6

CONSULT

Community Wildfire Resiliency Plan

LET’S TALK: OCTOBER

CONSULT

Kamloops Parks Plan

LET’S TALK: OCTOBER–DECEMBER

WORKSHOPS: NOVEMBER 4, 7, 12, 14

CONSULT

Citizen Satisfaction Survey

LET’S TALK: NOVEMBER

TELEPHONE INTERVIEWS: NOVEMBER

Fulton Field Park (Home of the Cpt. Jenn Casey Memorial) Dedication and Opening

AUGUST 29

INFORM

Build Kamloops

CONSULT

Housing Needs Report

LET’S TALK: NOVEMBER–DECEMBER

INFORM

Tranquille Road

Sanitary Main and Road Enhancement

Project | Phase 3

LET’S TALK: DECEMBER GOVERNANCE &

CONSULT

Budget 2025

LET’S TALK: NOVEMBER–DECEMBER

INFORMATION SESSION: NOVEMBER 20

Livability & Sustainability

The City of Kamloops fosters a high quality of life for an inclusive, diverse, and sustainable community.

AREAS OF FOCUS

RECREATION AND CULTURE

We prioritize the development of amenities to cultivate diverse and equitable opportunities for recreation, arts, and culture.

HEALTHY COMMUNITY

We foster an environment that supports and promotes healthy living through community, recreation, and social connection.

INCLUSIVITY

We reduce barriers for underrepresented groups to bring inclusivity, diversity, and fairness to our community.

CLIMATE ACTION

We practice discipline in our environmental responsibility by enhancing the City’s resiliency and capacity for mitigating climate change. We actively implement actions to reduce our environmental impacts.

MOBILITY

We improve accessibility for our citizens by intentionally creating a safe, well-connected city for people of all ages and abilities using various modes of transportation.

DID YOU KNOW?

In September 2024, Kamloops received the first-ever BC Sports Hall of Fame designation as a Sport Heritage Community. The designation highlights the significant role Kamloops has played in shaping British Columbia’s sports history, heritage, and culture over the years and recognizes that the city has produced some of the best sports programs and participation rates in the country.

Local Athletes Make Canada’s Tournament Capital Proud

On September 21, 2024, around 150 Kamloops residents donned their red and white and gathered at the Tournament Capital Centre to welcome home some of our city’s award-winning athletes after a summer of Olympic and Paralympic games. This event offered a unique opportunity for the public to connect with these home-based heroes, hear their inspiring stories, and view their medals up close.

Ethan Katzberg, a rising star in hammer throw, made history with his gold medals at the 2023 World Championships, the 2024 Paris Olympics, and the 2024 Diamond League Series. Kelly Olynyk, captain of the Canadian Men’s Basketball Team, led his team to a bronze medal at the 2023 FIBA Championships and continues to shine playing in the NBA. Greg Stewart, a world-class para-athlete in shot put, secured gold medals at the 2020 Tokyo Paralympic Games and the 2024 Paris Paralympic Games.

As Canada’s Tournament Capital, we love to celebrate our champions and coaches, showing our support and pride in their outstanding accomplishments.

Let's Build Kamloops

Build Kamloops is a multi-year, multi-phase visionary program to re-establish the city’s prominence as Canada’s Tournament Capital, foster our recognition as a premier arts and culture destination, and keep pace with our recreation and leisure needs as Canada’s third fastest-growing city. Build Kamloops is about catching up and keeping up with growth. It’s about building community, not just facilities.

The program saw significant progress in 2024 with the grand opening of the Kamloops Seniors Community Centre at 730 Cottonwood Avenue; repairs to the indoor soccer dome, extending the life of Kamloops' only indoor field facility for the next 25 years; and public approval to proceed with two major borrowing bylaws that pave the way for action on our larger projects.

DID YOU KNOW?

Kamloops recreation facilities continued to reach maximum capacity in 2024, with more members accessing these spaces and increased programming, sports, and event bookings.

29,619

TOTAL FACILITY MEMBERSHIPS PURCHASED

3,789

TOTAL PUNCH CARDS PURCHASED

6% from 2023

25% from 2023

Valery Warrren

Borrowing Approval Greenlights First Major Build Kamloops Projects

Build Kamloops is off to a successful start with the announcement of the alternative approval process results on September 23, 2024. With City Council securing elector approval on two key borrowing bylaws, the City is moving forward with the long-anticipated construction of the Kamloops Centre for the Arts as well as the design and construction of an Arena Multiplex and advancement of other major recreational facilities.

The Kamloops Centre for the Arts, located at 393 Seymour Street, will be a landmark facility, elevating the city's cultural scene and serving as a hub for a diverse array of events, including graduations, award ceremonies, and performing arts showcases. This purpose-built venue will be the first new theatre in Kamloops since the Sagebrush Theatre opened in 1978, addressing a long-standing need for modern performance and event spaces. As the project moves through validation and detailed design, excitement continues to build, with construction expected to commence by the end of 2025. Once complete, the Kamloops Centre for the Arts will act as a catalyst for economic growth, attracting artists, visitors, and cultural investment to the heart of Kamloops.

The Arena Multiplex promises to transform the city’s recreational landscape. Expected to begin construction in 2026 at 2070 Hillside Drive, this modern facility will feature four additional rinks, significantly expanding capacity for over 100 local ice sports clubs and strengthening Kamloops' reputation as a premier event-hosting destination. Alongside the arena, the approved borrowing will help advance plans for other key recreational facilities, including a curling and racquet sports complex, an aquatic centre, and an indoor fieldhouse. These projects, designed with community input, will enhance the quality of life for residents and ensure that Kamloops remains a vibrant and dynamic city for generations to come.

Peter Olsen

LIVABILITY & SUSTAINABILITY

Peter Olsen

DID YOU KNOW?

The Kamloops Seniors Community Centre at 730 Cottonwood Avenue opened in September 2024. The centre features a 12,000 sq. ft. multi-purpose space, helping residents stay active and connected as they age. Moving seniors’ programming to the Seniors Community Centre also provided an opportunity to create much-needed child care spaces by reimagining the Parkview Activity Centre. In 2024, 70% of children under the age of 12 in Kamloops did not have access to licensed child care.

Celebratory Arts Event Creatively Envisions

Future Arts Centre

On July 29, 2024, nearly 1,500 attendees gathered at 393 Seymour Street for the Build Kamloops Celebration of the Arts, an immersive event showcasing the potential of the future Kamloops Centre for the Arts. Using temporary road markings, the site was transformed into a life-sized floor plan of the upcoming facility, allowing visitors to envision the space as it will soon exist. The event featured a dynamic lineup of performances, including a graffiti art battle, dance showcases, an instrument zoo, and a quartet from the Kamloops Symphony Orchestra. Engaging interactive experiences, such as a faux graduation by Thompson Rivers University and an award presentation by Rivers FC, highlighted the centre’s versatility as a community hub for arts and culture. Attendees also had the opportunity to explore a newly unveiled scale model of the future facility, now on display at Kelson Hall.

Beyond its role in celebrating the arts, the event successfully raised nearly $6,000 for local arts organizations, reinforcing the community’s strong support for the project. Speeches from City leaders, including Deputy Mayor Nancy Bepple and several former mayors, highlighted the decades-long effort to bring a purpose-built arts centre to Kamloops. The overwhelming enthusiasm at the Celebration of the Arts demonstrates the City's commitment to cultural growth and underscores the transformative impact the Kamloops Centre for the Arts will have on the region.

Peter Olsen

DID YOU KNOW?

In November, just in time for the gift-giving season, the City’s Recreation team introduced digital gift cards to make giving the gift of recreation easier than ever. It is just one way that City facilities, programs, and activities became even more accessible in 2024.

Kamloops Strengthens Inclusive Recreation with New and Improved Programs for All

In 2024, Kamloops took several steps towards making recreation more inclusive and diverse, ensuring that all community members have access to enriching and supportive activities. In partnership with the Canucks Autism Network, the City introduced two groundbreaking initiatives—a specialized summer camp and the fall Move Together program. These programs focused on providing neurodiverse children with physical literacy opportunities in an environment tailored to their unique needs, ultimately setting them up for success in transitioning into non-specialized programs. Kamloops also strengthened its collaboration with Kamloops Immigrant Services, offering new Canadians the chance to explore various sports, including crosscountry skiing. The year’s inclusive efforts ended with the Family Sport and Social Night, a lively community event that brought together newcomer families and long-time residents, with plans to expand further in 2025.

Beyond these partnerships, Kamloops continued its commitment to accessibility through the iMove program with People in Motion, which evolved to emphasize sustainable health habits while providing engaging indoor and outdoor activities. By reducing socio-economic and physical barriers to fitness, iMove played a crucial role in fostering a more equitable and health-conscious community. Meanwhile, family-centred initiatives in collaboration with Interior Community Services, such as Baby Steps and Family Storytime & Stretch, created supportive environments where parents and children could connect, learn, and grow together. Through these diverse and inclusive programs, Kamloops has reaffirmed its dedication to making recreation accessible for everyone, building a stronger, healthier, and more connected community.

Tilly Nelson

DID YOU KNOW?

The City implemented voluntary feedback surveys following all recreational programming halfway through 2024. In total, 572 surveys were completed, and the results showed strong program satisfaction, while also providing valuable insights on areas for growth and improvement.

Survey Highlights: (responded either “agree” or “strongly agree”)

• 93% felt the course/program they took was worth the cost

• 90% would attend a similar course/program in the future

• 93% felt their instructor created an inclusive and welcoming environment

• 91% felt the course/program met their expectations

• 93% felt their instructor was knowledgeable and had a strong understanding of the course/program material

Ice Skating is Trending in Kamloops!

Participation in the City’s public skating program continued to skyrocket in 2024. Since 2022, participation has increased by 60%. ince introducing skate rentals at Valleyview Arena in 2023, rentals at the facility more than doubled in 2024. The skate rental program has enabled the City to collaborate with community organizations, such as Kamloops Immigrant Services, People in Motion, and Kamloops Pride, to provide skating opportunities that are even more accessible and inclusive.

22,000 PUBLIC SKATING PARTICIPATION  60% from 2022

$125,000 PUBLIC SKATING REVENUE

70% from 2022

Aura Rodriguez

City Events 2024

FEBRUARY 19

Family Day Festival

The Tournament Capital Centre Fieldhouse transformed into a free festival space for families with children of all ages.

APRIL 19

Volunteer BBQ

This event celebrated the volunteers who build, maintain, and grow healthy communities.

APRIL 21

Clean the Beach Day

This was a family-friendly event where volunteers came together to clean our riverbanks. MAY 11

Emergency Services Day

More than a dozen emergency services organizations creatively engaged the community to promote readiness for unforeseen emergencies.

MAY 25

Civic Operations Open House

This event was a fun, family-friendly opportunity for more than 520 residents to explore big trucks, play games, build crafts, and learn what it takes to keep our City running.

JULY 1

Canada Day

Canada Day saw a full day of culture, arts, music, and fun in Riverside Park.

JUNE 2

Kam-Motion

This free, movement-based community event offered classes and information sessions as part of the ParticipACTION Community Challenge.

Peter Olsen

Peter Olsen

Peter Olsen

City of Kamloops

Peter Olsen Peter Olsen

JULY–AUGUST

Music in the Park

Music in the Park offered 60 nights of live musical performances, suitable for family members of all ages, featuring a diverse lineup of artists from Kamloops and across North America at the Riverside Park Rotary Bandshell.

SEPTEMBER 20–OCTOBER 13

Culture Days

JULY 29

The Build Kamloops Celebration of the Arts

A unique event to commemorate the proposed Kamloops Centre for the Arts showcased local arts and culture organizations and highlighted the wide range of future opportunities at the flagship facility.

SEPTEMBER 6

Seniors’ Picnic

This event was an afternoon of food, entertainment, and camaraderie for adults aged 55 and over, supported by the Kamloops Paddlewheelers Lions Club.

Nine local organizations offered various free programs during the three-week event, celebrating arts, culture, and creativity.

NOVEMBER 2

Pumpkin Smash

A smashing good time was had bashing, rolling, stomping, and dropping Halloween pumpkins in the name of composting and environmental sustainability.

DECEMBER 12

Seniors’ Lights Tour

This free event toured more than 600 seniors through the city before gathering at the Sandman Centre for snacks and entertainment.

DECEMBER 16

Choral Rhapsody

This free, sold-out community concert featured 11 local choirs singing Christmas carols.

NOVEMBER 24

Santa Claus Parade

City staff festively marched in this annual event, hosted by the Kamloops Central Business Improvement Association and Thompson Rivers University.

BCLC

Frank Luca

City of Kamloops

City of Kamloops

City of Kamloops

City of Kamloops

Honouring Fallen Heroes: The Inspiring Opening of Fulton Field Park

Fulton Field Park, which officially opened in August 2024, serves as a place of remembrance and community connection and is home to the Captain Jenn Casey Memorial. The park features a stunning 1:1 scale representation of a Royal Canadian Air Force CT-114 Tutor Snowbird, installed adjacent to the Kamloops Airport. This powerful monument honours Captain Jenn Casey, who tragically lost her life on May 17, 2020, during Operation Inspiration, a mission created to uplift Canadians and salute front-line workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. The memorial was inspired by the spontaneous tributes left along Fulton Field following the tragedy and now stands as a lasting symbol of courage and dedication.

While the park's origins trace back to a 2012 plan to honour John Fulton, a decorated World War II veteran who was killed in action in 1942, it gained deeper significance following the Snowbirds tragedy. Beyond its memorial art display, Fulton Field Park offers a welcoming space featuring a multi-use pathway, carefully selected greenery, accessible picnic tables, and rocking Adirondack chairs. The whole park is a testament to resilience, remembrance, and the power of community. Visitors are encouraged to reflect on the sacrifices of Captain Casey, John Fulton, and all those who have served, ensuring their legacy remains alive for future generations.

Peter Olsen

DID YOU KNOW?

In 2024, 910 residents bought and planted trees at $20 and $50 discounts thanks to the City’s Tree

Coupon program, supporting the City's goal of increasing our urban tree canopy to cover 20% of Kamloops. Urban trees provide many social, health, environmental, and economic benefits, including removing atmospheric carbon dioxide, absorbing air pollutants, reducing energy consumption, and increasing property values.

Kamloops Comes Together to Tackle Beach Cleanup

Kamloops residents showed up in full force for the City’s inaugural Clean the Beach event on April 21, 2024, proving that teamwork and environmental stewardship go hand in hand! With Earth Day as the perfect backdrop, 113 volunteers gathered along the riverbanks near Riverside Park and Overlander Park, rolling up their sleeves to clear litter and debris. Safety was top of mind when scheduling the event during a season when water levels were low. Social agencies involved in the Clean Team supportive employment program engaged in a pre-sweep of the riverbanks to remove sharps and other potentially harmful materials before the big event.

By the end of the day, volunteers had removed around 600 kg of garbage, leaving the shoreline in much better shape for the community and wildlife. But it wasn’t all hard work; Volunteers met at Riverside Park to celebrate their efforts with live music, a bouncy castle, face painting, and a well-earned barbecue. This annual event beautified Kamloops beaches and reinforced the power of community action in protecting our local environment. Way to go, Kamloops!

Peter Olsen

New in the Loops in 2024

OPENING OF FULTON FIELD PARK, HOME OF THE CAPTAIN JENN CASEY MEMORIAL

The Captain Jenn Casey Memorial, completed in 2024, is an art display of a 1:1 ratio Royal Canadian Air Force CT-114 Tutor Snowbird shaped from a mosaic of maple leaves and branches and designed by local artist Sarah Holliday. It now resides in Fulton Field Park and stands in memory of Captain Casey, who was tragically killed when her Snowbird jet crashed in Kamloops on May 17, 2020.

DID YOU KNOW?

Inspired by a petition initiated by a local seven-year-old advocate, Sitka Porter, the City was able to repurpose a set of swings from Albert McGowan Park during the upgrade and use them to give the Belmont Park Tot Lot at 709 Cumberland Avenue a facelift.

BRAND-NEW PUMP TRACK AT KAMLOOPS BIKE RANCH

The brand-new pump track at the Kamloops Bike Ranch officially opened in July 2024. The new facility includes beginner-, intermediate-, and advanced-level tracks for users with varying types of wheels and skills. The tracks are open to skateboards, scooters, suitable wheelchairs, adaptive mountain bikes, BMX bikes, rollerblades, run bikes, mountain bikes, and any other humanpowered device with wheels.

ALBERT MCGOWAN PARK PLAYGROUND UPGRADE

Albert McGowan Park received a playground upgrade at the end of 2024. Upgrades included accessible play features, shade structures, and accessible rubber surfacing. Phase two of the park overhaul is scheduled to take place in 2025 and will include replacing the current water park with a new recirculating system, new surfacing, and new water features.

City of Kamloops

Peter Wojnar

Peter Olsen

DID YOU KNOW?

In partnership with the Thompson-Nicola Regional District, a new year-round household hazardous waste drop-off facility welcomed dozens of customers at its grand opening on June 15, 2024. Items such as residential quantities of gas, oil, cleaners, adhesive, paint, and pesticides are now accepted free of charge and safely disposed of or recycled. Keeping hazardous waste out of solid waste carts helps protect workers from serious harm and prevents damage to garbage and recycling facilities.

PEDESTRIAN CROSSING PROGRAM UPGRADES

The Pedestrian Crossing Upgrade Program focused on Hillside Drive in 2024. Safety enhancements included activating a new pedestrian traffic signal at the Home Depot access, installing rectangular rapid flashing beacons at the intersection of Hillside Drive and Aberdeen Mall, and upgrading lighting and pavement markings. Speed display boards were also installed at the Aberdeen Drive and Van Horne Drive crosswalk.

KAMLOOPS FIRE RESUCE EMERGENCY TRAIL MARKERS

In 2024, Kamloops Fire Rescue launched a trail marker location system, placing numbered markers at key trail intersections acting like trail addresses. In the event of an emergency, trail users can provide the number on the closest marker when calling 911 to initiate a system that helps first responders locate them more quickly. More than 80 markers have been installed, with plans to expand further in 2025.

HOSTING THE BIGGEST STAGE

In 2024, the Sandman Centre housed its biggest stage to date—a 55 x 6 meter wood surface to host the ScotDance Canada Championship Series. City staff built the stage from scratch. Our Civic Operations crews have full workloads keeping the city in good repair but continually go above and beyond with unique jobs like these to support a multitude of events that allow us to proudly call Kamloops Canada’s Tournament Capital.

City of Kamloops

City of Kamloops

Lorena Harrison

DID YOU KNOW?

The City is an invaluable partner in health care, bridging the gap between health authority-delivered care and community-based programs and services. In 2024, more than 2,500 people participated in Strategic Health Alliance programs, a partnership with Interior Health that provides safer exercise options for people with chronic, comorbid, and/or complex medical care needs as well as people with mild to moderate mental illness and problematic substance use. The City’s Sensational Survivors program also supported around 100 women fighting cancer in 2024.

A New Vision for Cultural Development

On April 9, 2024, City Council unanimously adopted the You Are Here Cultural Strategic Plan 2024–2034, a transformative blueprint for the city’s cultural future. Developed with the expertise of researchers from Thompson Rivers University and insights gathered from an unprecedented level of community engagement, the plan reflects a shared vision of cultural growth. The planning process was enriched by the You Are Here exhibition and cultural mapping experience at the Kamloops Museum and Archives, which provided vital data on how residents engage with culture, the opportunities they see, and the barriers they face.

A cultural strategic plan is essential for aligning ideas, people, and resources toward a common vision. The You Are Here Cultural Strategic Plan outlines six strategic directions: strengthening tourism and economic impacts through culture, improving arts infrastructure, supporting cultural workers, reducing barriers to participation, celebrating local stories, and enhancing public spaces through creative placemaking. By setting these priorities, the City aims to support cultural resources, identify assets, and ensure a vibrant and inclusive cultural landscape for Kamloops’ growing community. This initiative enhances quality of life and bolsters economic and social development, making culture an integral part of the city's identity and future.

Kate Fagervik

A Year of Growth and Inclusion for the Kamloops Museum and Archives

The Kamloops Museum and Archives marked 2024 with significant achievements in accessibility, collaboration, and community engagement. The newly redeveloped Museum and Archives website was launched, exceeding accessibility certification guidelines and ensuring a more inclusive digital experience for all users. Additionally, the museum’s renovated lobby now offers a more welcoming and accessible space.

Key highlights of the year included a collaborative project fostering important discussions with other museums on their evolving societal role, capturing absent voices and rainbow stories in partnership with Kamloops Pride, and bringing together diverse community organizations, including the Hispanic Society of Kamloops, the Sagebrush Quilters Guild, the Secwépemc Museum and Heritage Park, and the Kamloops Chinese Cultural Association, to explore the intersection of fabric, clothing, and culture during the Common Thread: Things We Carry With Us exhibit.

3 FEATURE EXHIBITIONS

192 PROGRAMS

12,000+

Beth Taylor

City-Wide Organics Program Transforms Waste Management in Kamloops

In 2024, Kamloops marked a milestone year with the successful implementation of its city-wide Curbside Residential Organic Waste Collection Program. This initiative has led to the diversion of 5,000 tonnes of organic waste, contributing to a remarkable 33% reduction in solid waste received at City landfill sites. This significant achievement underscores the City’s commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. By providing residents with an efficient way to compost organic waste, the program has extended the lifespan of local landfills and promoted greener waste management practices throughout the community.

Along with the organics program, the City also saw a significant improvement in residential recycling efforts. Thanks to targeted educational campaigns and the dedication of the ECOSmart team, contamination levels in residential recycling decreased by 16%, reducing the risk of financial penalties associated with improper sorting. This progress highlights the power of community engagement and education in fostering responsible waste disposal habits. With these achievements, Kamloops continues to lead by example in environmental sustainability, ensuring a cleaner, more resilient future for generations to come.

5,000

TONNES OF WASTE DIVERTED

9,500

TONNES REDUCTION IN CO2 EMISSIONS

33%

REDUCTION IN SOLID WASTE RECEIVED AT CITY LANDFILLS

16%

REDUCTION IN RESIDENTIAL RECYCLING CONTAMINATION

Mary Putnam

DID YOU KNOW?

Through the City’s fun and festive holiday-specific organics collection initiatives in 2024, 1,390 kg of jack-o’-lanterns were diverted from landfills during the Halloween Pumpkin Smash in 2024, and 4,683 Christmas trees were collected and converted to compost material used in City parks and gardens.

DID YOU KNOW?

On November 2, the City’s Solid Waste team hosted its first-ever flexible plastics recycling popup event and collected one cubic metre of flexible plastics, equivalent to five of our largest garbage carts. Flexible plastics are not accepted in the City’s curbside recycling program, and there are currently no Recycle BC depots on the North Shore, so the event helped fill a service gap in that area. Some of the pop-up visitors reported that the event inspired them to recycle this classification of plastics for the very first time.

1 m3 OF FLEXIBLE PLASTICS COLLECTED FOR RECYCLING

City of Kamloops

& SUSTAINABILITY

DID YOU KNOW?

The City’s ECOSmart team engaged with over 1,500 community members on various sustainability topics throughout the summer, supporting the City’s curbside and multi-family recycling programs, the Bear Smart program, Environmental Services operations, and other educational initiatives. They also conducted groundwater sampling, gave presentations in schools, and inspected 2,213 recycling carts and 709 organics carts to identify and educate the public about common contaminants.

+1,500 COMMUNITY MEMBERS ENGAGED ON VARIOUS SUSTAINABILITY TOPICS

Community Climate Action Grants

For the second year, the Community Climate Action Grant program funded 16 community-based climate action projects, many of which enhanced biodiversity through tree planting and new pollinator gardens, and engaged local youth.

DID YOU KNOW?

In response to the growing demand for more comfortable, energy-efficient homes, the City was excited to offer residents the innovative and award-winning Retrofit Assist program beginning in 2024. The free concierge service provides participants with personalized guidance on home efficiency and comfort, support to maximize available rebates, connections to expert energy advisors and contractors, and access to competitive financing.

Pedaling Forward and Parking with Confidence

Kamloops took a bold step toward a more bike-friendly future by expanding on the event-based bike valet services offered in 2023 to offer regular, consistent bike valet services downtown as a pilot project in 2024. Located at 330 St. Paul Street in the Kelson Hall parking lot, this innovative initiative provided a free, secure, coat-check-style parking service for all active transportation devices, including adaptive bikes, cargo bikes, trailers, jogging strollers, and mobility aids. Running Monday through Saturday from 7:00 am to 7:00 pm throughout the spring and summer, the program aimed to break down one of the biggest barriers to urban cycling: concerns over bike security. Thanks to a $20,000 grant from The BC Cycling Coalition and strong community partnerships with Tourism Kamloops, the Kamloops Chamber of Commerce, the Kamloops Central Business Improvement Association, the Kamloops Cycling Coalition, and Kelson Hall, the City was able to bring this vision to life.

The response was overwhelmingly positive, with more than 2,000 bikes parked during the pilot project and an additional 200 bikes parked at the Saturday Farmers’ Market from September 7 to October 26. In the final weeks of the pilot project, a survey of 104 regular users reinforced its success, with many cyclists calling for the service to continue beyond 2024. The Kamloops Bike Valet provided cyclists with peace of mind and encouraged active transportation as a viable, secure, and sustainable mode of travel. As the City reflects on the pilot project’s achievements, the momentum gained suggests a bright future for cycling in Kamloops, with strong community backing for permanent bike-friendly initiatives.

Tourism Kamloops | Mary Putnam

DID YOU KNOW?

In February 2024, the City and BC Transit launched Umo, a digital fare payment system that offers transit users two ways to pay: the Umo mobile app or reloadable cards. Umo is significantly more efficient than earlier payment systems, thanks to increased process automation. Riders simply scan the QR code on their Umo app or tap their reloadable card. The added convenience and payment flexibility enhance riders' overall transit experience.

Transit Ridership and Service Improvements

Kamloops Transit has seen strong ridership growth and service recovery in 2024, continuing to perform above average among Tier 1 transit systems in British Columbia. Ridership increased by approximately 9% compared to 2023, now averaging 400,000 boardings per month. Challenges from the previous year, such as driver shortages, have been successfully addressed, with full-time operator positions fully staffed. The City, BC Transit, and Transdev Canada have collaborated to minimize service disruptions while also focusing on recruiting and training casual operators to maintain reliable transit service.

Beyond ridership growth, Kamloops Transit expanded its transit programs, community partnerships, and infrastructure in 2024. The popular Class Rides Free Program saw increased bookings through School District No. 73, and special event services provided fare-free transit options for community gatherings, such as Boogie the Bridge, Go By Bike Weeks, Kamloops Daybreak Rotary Ribfest, and the Pride Parade. Additionally, the City installed 15 new transit shelters in the second year of the Transit Shelter Improvement Program, bringing the total to 32. Twenty existing shelters were also upgraded with new models featuring solar lighting, enhancing accessibility and comfort for transit users year-round. These improvements demonstrate the City's commitment to providing a more efficient and user-friendly transit system for residents.

~400,000

TRANSIT BOARDINGS PER MONTH

15

NEW TRANSIT SHELTERS INSTALLED

Kathleen Fisher

Advocacy in Action:

While the City plays an enormous role in shaping the livability and sustainability of our community, we also build relationships and advocate for programs and services that fall outside of municipal jurisdiction. In 2024, staff and Council met with provincial ministers to address topics related to train traffic, transit expansion, urban wildlife management, dike and dam management, and to convey the need for an expediated school development in Aberdeen.

*A switch in software affected the reliability of the data collected for August in 2024.

Kathleen Fisher

Economic Health

The City of Kamloops cultivates a positive business environment to support a vibrant and resilient economy.

AREAS OF FOCUS

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

We ensure our efforts and investments are measurable and accountable.

ECONOMIC STRENGTH

We build strategies to increase our competitive advantage, cultivate growth, and support our residents.

PARTNERSHIPS

We seek and foster the key relationships that will support our economic goals.

GROWTH MANAGEMENT

We are deliberate and purposeful in planning for the growth of our community.

Tourism Kamloops | Candace Hansma

DID YOU KNOW?

In November 2024, the City introduced a revitalization tax exemption bylaw to encourage purpose-built rental housing development in core areas and near neighbourhood centres. The bylaw provides tax exemptions on the increased assessed value resulting from improvements for new rental buildings with 10 or more units and applies to both provincial and municipal taxes. Focused on walkable, service-rich locations, the initiative aligns with the City’s 2024 Housing Accelerator Fund Action Plan and aims to stimulate sustainable urban growth and expand the city’s rental housing stock.

Kamloops Takes Bold Steps to Align with Provincial Housing Goals

In 2024, the City made significant progress in aligning its bylaws with new provincial housing legislation aimed at increasing density and housing supply. Following months of careful planning and engagement, City Council passed major amendments to KAMPLAN and the Zoning Bylaw. KAMPLAN now designates the Lansdowne, North Shore, and Thompson Rivers University Transit Exchanges as transit-oriented areas, ensuring higher residential density in these key locations. Additionally, zoning changes now allow for more dwelling units on residential lots, creating more opportunities for attainable housing across the community. These updates position Kamloops for smart growth while ensuring essential infrastructure considerations.

Further streamlining development, City Council passed bylaws delegating authority to staff for issuing development permits, significantly reducing wait times and allowing City Council to focus on larger-scale projects. City staff implemented phased design approvals for utility company drawings to allow construction to proceed sooner and began accepting electronic building permit information. While the City fell short of the Province's 679-unit target in the first year of reporting (issuing occupancy for 449 residential units), rezoning applications were approved for 701 residential units, 362 residential units received approval for development permits, and 725 units received building permits, clearly signaling that the foundation for accelerated housing development is now in place. With proactive policy changes taking effect, the City is better positioned to meet future housing goals and support a growing, vibrant community in 2025 and beyond.

Peter Olsen

Christopher A. James

BUILDING PERMIT BREAKDOWN -

BUILDING PERMIT BREAKDOWN - UNITS

APPLICATION SUMMARY - ANNUAL TOTALS

Tharoushan Kandarajah

DEVELOPMENT COST CHARGES

DID YOU KNOW?

Early in 2024, City Council authorized a Zoning Bylaw amendment to pave the way for commercial/ industrial development adjacent to the Kamloops Airport. The collaborative vision of City Council, the Kamloops Airport Authority Society, and Vantage Airport Group is for the development to become an attractive airport business/ industrial park providing additional employmentgenerating activities for the North Shore and further supporting the market viability of the airport lands. Substantial work will be required to service the land in the coming years to bring this vision to life.

Dario Tomada

Peter Olsen

Estate in Kamloops

$1.2 billion IN RESIDENTIAL SALES

1.35% from 2023

$778,353

AVERAGE SALE PRICE OF A SINGLE-FAMILY RESIDENTIAL HOME $395,033

AVERAGE SALE PRICE OF A STRATA CONDO

1,858 RESIDENTIAL UNITS SOLD

2.4% from 2023 96.57%

AVERAGE SOLD/ASKED PRICE RATIO same as 2023

Advocacy in Action:

Through multiple bylaw amendments in 2024, the City is using its tools to encourage the development our City needs to accommodate population growth and address our housing shortage. City Staff and Council also worked hard in 2024 to advocate for other levels of government to do their part to expedite permitting and fund the infrastructure upgrades necessary to support population densification.

New Housing Report Highlights Extent of the City’s Growing Needs

At the end of 2024, the City published its latest Housing Needs Report, providing a comprehensive update on the community’s current and future housing demands. The report, an update to the 2020 version, goes above and beyond by incorporating projection details now that will be required by the Province starting in 2028. It includes updated data on population growth, demographics, the local economy, and housing development trends.

According to BC Stats, Kamloops’ population has grown steadily in recent years, reaching an estimated 107,941 residents in 2024. With projections anticipating a population of 140,281 by 2044, the report estimates that 7,856 new housing units will be needed between 2021 and 2026, and a total of 23,228 units will be needed by 2041 to accommodate growth, address vacancy rates, and support vulnerable populations.

The 2024 Housing Needs Report dives into seven key housing priorities identified by the Province, including affordable housing, rental housing, special needs accommodations, seniors housing, family housing, housing near alternative transportation, and shelters for at-risk individuals. Recognizing the multifaceted nature of housing challenges, the report provides valuable insights to inform local planning, policies, and development decisions. The findings will play a crucial role in shaping the City’s upcoming Official Community Plan (KAMPLAN) update in 2025, ensuring that future housing initiatives align with the evolving needs of the community.

KAMLOOPS NEEDS:

7,856

NEW HOUSING UNITS BY 2026

23,228

NEW HOUSING UNITS BY 2041

City of Kamloops

2024 MULTI-FAMILY ZONING APPROVALS

2024 MULTI-FAMILY DEVELOPMENT

Peter Olsen

ZONING APPROVALS

DEVELOPMENT PERMIT APPROVALS

BUILDING PERMIT APPROVALS

Kamloops Advances Affordable Housing with Community Land Trust Milestones

Kamloops made significant strides in 2024 toward increasing its supply of attainable housing, particularly for low- to moderateincome residents and seniors. Building on the momentum from the incorporation of the Kamloops Community Land Trust Foundation in 2023, the City appointed six community members to the foundation’s inaugural Board of Directors in June 2024. This diverse group of volunteers will be responsible for developing a sustainable operating model and guiding policies for acquiring and developing land. The foundation is now fully functioning with support from the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation’s National Housing Strategy Demonstrations Initiative.

The year also marked the foundation’s first land transaction. In collaboration with the BC Builds’ Housing Development Opportunities Program, the Community Land Trust is working toward the development of a 90-unit, six-storey market housing project at 377 Tranquille Road. Pending provincial approval, this project would transform the former site of the Northbridge Hotel into a mixeduse development featuring studio, one-, two-, and three-bedroom units—18 of which will be reserved as affordable housing. The proposal also includes 706 sq. m. of commercial space. With an anticipated occupancy date in fall 2026, this development is a shining example of the role of the Community Land Trust can play in delivering long-term, attainable housing solutions.

KAMLOOPS COMMUNITY LAND TRUST FOUNDATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS:

• Mike Broadway

• Lindsay Harris

• Tina Lange

• Mona Murray

• Colin O’Leary

• Ruth Williams

• Byron McCorkell

• David Hallinan

• Marvin Kwiatkowski

City of Kamloops

Kamloops Community Land Trust Foundation Board of Directors (Back row: Deputy Chief Administrative Officer Byron McCorkell; Assistant Development, Engineering, and Sustainability

Director/Real Estate Manager David Freeman; Development, Engineering, and Sustainability Director Marvin Kwiatkowski; Corporate Services Director David Hallinan. Middle row: Colin O'Leary, Ruth Williams, Mike Broadway. Front row: Lindsay Harris, Mona Murray, Tina Lange)

DID YOU KNOW?

For the past several years, the City has waived weekend downtown parking fees during the month of December to encourage residents to do their Christmas shopping locally. The initiative equates to an average reduction in revenue of around $20,000 annually but goes a long way to support local businesses.

New Business Improvement Area Association for East Kamloops

In 2024, Kamloops celebrated the formation of its third business improvement area association, dedicated to supporting businesses in Valleyview and Dallas. This newly established organization will serve as a unified voice for the local business community, advocating on key issues such as safety, community planning, and transportation management. In its inaugural year, the association made significant strides, including assembling a strong board, registering as a society, and developing its preliminary budget. By providing marketing support, hosting events, and offering essential business services, the East Kamloops Business Improvement Area aims to strengthen the economic and social vibrancy of the area.

Over the summer, local businesses demonstrated their support for the East Kamloops Business Improvement Area through a counter-petition process, paving the way for sustainable funding. Beginning in 2025, the City will facilitate the collection of a local service tax, generating around $2 million over five years to support the association’s operations. With a solid foundation and successful partnerships in place, the East Kamloops Business Improvement Area is poised to drive growth and enhance the business landscape in Valleyview and Dallas.

Travis Bonner

Kamloops Business Community Strength

6,856

6.3% from 2023

844 NEW BUSINESS LICENCES ISSUED

3% from 2023 830 BUSINESSES CLOSED

13.5% from 2023 DID YOU KNOW? 37.7% of all active business licences at the end of 2024 were for home-based businesses.

DID YOU KNOW?

By and large, the last few years of piloting downtown patio extensions for businesses have been a huge success. In 2024, the City solidified the patio extension program with the publication of a Patio Standards and Application Guide developed with input from subject experts and local businesses. The guide outlines program dates, application processes, pricing, design configurations, technical specifications, and operational/ maintenance requirements. The guide will help businesses navigate regulations dispersed throughout several City bylaws, ensuring the program continues to run smoothly and produce value for businesses and downtown patrons alike.

Jared Putnam

Progress Through Community Partnerships

The City plays a vital role in fostering economic vibrancy by actively collaborating with key local organizations. By working closely with partners such as the Kamloops Central Business Improvement Association, the North Shore Business Improvement Association, the Kamloops and District Chamber of Commerce, and Venture Kamloops, the City supports the business community, creating opportunities for growth and innovation. These partnerships extend to Thompson Rivers University and the Researcher-in-Residence program. The City’s collaboration with Venture Kamloops, the Sc.wénwen Economic Development Corporation, and the Thompson-Nicola Film Commission further demonstrates its commitment to a diverse and dynamic economy.

In 2024, the City continued to strengthen its community partnerships, with a particular focus on large-scale event planning and economic development. Following the success of the joint bid to host the National Aboriginal Hockey Championships, the City helped establish a formalized planning team, in collaboration with Tourism Kamloops, the Sports Council, and Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc, to spearhead future tournament and event bids. Additionally, the City received support from partners like Tourism Kamloops on initiatives such as the bike valet pilot program, played a key role in planning major conferences, and sponsored high-profile community-led events, including the Kamloopa Powwow and the Chamber Business Excellence Awards. Advocacy efforts, particularly in safety and security, remained a priority as the City reinforced its role as a uniting force amplifying the voices of our business community.

45 MEDIA MENTIONS

Kudos to Executive Director Acacia Pangilinan for being named Executive of the Year for Chambers in Canada with 500 to 999 members and for being the only Chamber leader in BC to have achieved the highest level of accreditation for Chamber Executives in 2024.

Tourism Kamloops | Jonny Bierman

In 2024, the Kamloops Airport completed a grant-funded restoration of Apron 1 early and under budget and has secured full funding to move forward with Apron II Taxilane restoration.

 0.4% from 2023

310, 507 PASSENGER TRAFFIC  1.8% from 2023

24,360 AIRCRAFT MOVEMENTS $3.9 million IN FEDERAL AND PROVINCIAL GRANT FUNDING COMBINED

323 BUSINESSES ASSISTED

540 REFERRALS TO PARTNERS

32 NEW AND ACTIVE INQUIRIES

227 PARTNERSHIPS (SHARING RESOURCES)

Peter Olsen

3.78 million SOCIAL MEDIA ENGAGEMENTS

 109% from 2023

1 REFRESHED BRAND AND WEBSITE launched July 2024

607,000 WEBSITE USERS

 3% from 2023

7 BUSINESS EVENTS HOSTED welcoming 1,000+ delegates and generating over $1 million in economic impact

7 NEW ILLUMINATION PROJECTS bringing Kamloops to life

Tourism Kamloops | Mary Putnam

Tharoushan Kandarajah

A Special Tribute to the Red Bridge

The Red Bridge has been an iconic feature of the Kamloops landscape for over a century. On September 19, 2024, the community awoke to the devastating sight of the Red Bridge engulfed in flames. Despite firefighters’ efforts, the historic wooden truss bridge collapsed into the South Thompson River, leaving behind the physical wreckage and an immense sense of loss.

For nearly 90 years, the Red Bridge stood as a vital link between the communities of Kamloops and Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc, serving as both a physical and symbolic connection. More than just a crossing over the South Thompson River, the bridge represented the long-standing relationship between these two communities, fostering economic collaboration, cultural exchange, and shared progress.

The Red Bridge provided essential access, linking local industries, businesses, and residents who relied on it for daily travel and commerce. For many, it was a pathway to opportunity, supporting economic activity in the Tḱemlúps Industrial Park and serving as an alternative access route to the Yellowhead Highway and North Thompson region.

While the loss of the Red Bridge was deeply felt, it also served as a moment to reaffirm the commitment to strengthening the relationship between Kamloops and Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc. City Council and staff immediately began working in partnership with Tḱemlúps te Secwépemc and the Ministry of Transportation and Transit to explore a future crossing that restores this vital connection and honours the shared history and continued collaboration between these communities. Looking ahead, the City is committed to ensuring that our next chapter reflects the resilience, partnership, and enduring ties that the Red Bridge so powerfully represented.

Kamloops Fire Rescue

Jeff Putnam

CITY OF KAMLOOPS

Financial Statements

For the year ended December 31, 2024

by:

City of Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada

Prepared

City of Kamloops, Corporate Services Department

Bianca Martin

Report from the Corporate Services Director

CORPORATE PLANNING PROCESS

The 2024–2027 Kamloops City Council Strategic Plan and Council-approved service levels are the primary documents that support the direction and priorities of the annual budget planning process. Objectives and priorities are focused on the strategic priorities of Safety and Security, Governance and Service Excellence, Livability and Sustainability, and Economic Health.

The City’s operating budget allocates resources to deliver services at existing levels and address issues or concerns raised through public consultation and changing administrative requirements, reflecting changes in the overall working environment.

The corresponding capital plan is developed based on the ongoing need to provide a proactive asset management program for civic infrastructure, maintain service levels, and accommodate new amenities and projects related to city growth, public demand, and community needs. The result is a five-year plan that outlines how projects will be funded and where renewal efforts will be focused.

FINANCIAL PLANNING 2024 BUDGET

In June each year, Administration begins the budget process by reviewing the current year’s budget, identifying changes in the overall operating environment, and identifying opportunities to introduce efficiencies that could help to reduce costs while maintaining existing service delivery and providing an overall benefit to the community.

Many of the items required to support City operations remain relatively similar year over year. Changes in service levels or new services approved by Council throughout the past years are added to the current year’s budget.

Changes to the budget, including the increased costs with unionized staff, policing services, and broader inflation, particularly in the construction industry, contributed to the need for increased property tax-based funding. While population growth in the city contributed positively to helping reduce the taxation funding requirements, expanded services, such as transit and infrastructure projects supporting civic growth, resulted in the need to add additional funding.

Other factors impacting the City budget include construction inflation continuing at a higher-thanexpected rate, foreign exchange rates weakening the Canadian dollar more than current forecasts, and supply chain challenges causing delays to planned projects.

These impacts resulted in the taxation-based funding requirement increasing by $12.86 million, or 9.55%, for an overall taxation-based funding level in the 2024 budget of $149.018 million. This increase in taxation on the average property in Kamloops for 2024, based on an assessed value of $678,000, resulted in an approximate increase of $238.75.

FINANCIAL REPORTS

Financial reports are presented to Council for its information and review. The annual financial report includes the consolidated financial statements presented by the City’s appointed auditors. These consolidated statements include the General and Utility Funds, the Venture Kamloops Business Development Society, and the Kamloops Airport Authority Society. Management is responsible for the consolidated financial statements.

Mary Putnam

Canadian Award for Financial Reporting

British Columbia

For its Annual Financial Report for the Year Ended December 31, 2023

Executive Director/CEO

CANADIAN AWARD FOR FINANCIAL REPORTING

Government Finance Officers Association of the United States and Canada (GFOA) awarded a Canadian Award for Financial Reporting to the City of Kamloops for its annual financial report for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023. The Canadian Award for Financial Reporting program was established to encourage municipal governments throughout Canada to publish high quality financial reports and to provide peer recognition and technical guidance for officials preparing these reports.

In order to be awarded a Canadian Award for Financial Reporting, a government unit must publish an easily readable and efficiently organized annual financial report, whose contents conform to program standards. Such reports should go beyond the minimum requirements of generally accepted accounting principles and demonstrate an effort to clearly communicate the municipal government’s financial picture, enhance an understanding of financial reporting by municipal governments, and address user needs.

A Canadian Award for Financial Reporting is valid for a period of one year only. We believe our current report continues to conform to the Canadian Award for Financial Reporting program requirements, and we will be submitting it to GFOA to determine its eligibility for another award.

Presented to City of Kamloops

FINANCIAL POLICIES

The City utilizes several financial policies. Some policies have received formal Council approval, while others are corporate policies based on fiscal responsibility, legislative requirements, and public accounting standards. The following lists several of these key policies.

Investment Policy:

The purpose of the investment policy is to provide the City with an approved framework for managing its investment program that conforms with the Community Charter. The primary investment objectives for the City are the preservation of capital and high liquidity. Therefore, a conservative approach to investing is taken. The City maintains a balanced portfolio of cash and investments to allow for a smooth flow of funds for the City’s use.

Expense Reimbursement Policies:

The purpose of these policies is to provide guidelines for employees and other authorized individuals concerning travel and expense reimbursements. They define approval authorities, per diem and vehicle use rates, eligible and ineligible expenditures, and expense claim documentation requirements.

Procurement Policies:

The purpose of these policies is to establish the principles and guidelines for governance and oversight in procuring goods, services, construction, and professional consulting services for the City of Kamloops. They establish the need for the City to enter procurement activities fairly, openly, and transparently in alignment with the regulatory requirements of regional, national, and international trade treaties.

General Reserves:

The purpose of this policy is to provide guidance and direction for developing, maintaining, and using the City's reserves in the General Fund. The policy provides guiding principles and objectives for the organization's long-term financial health. In addition to these principles and objectives, the intended purpose of each fund is defined along with desired value ranges, where appropriate, identifying the minimum and the maximum values for the specific reserve.

Permissive Tax Exemption Policies (Places of Worship and Not-For-Profit Organizations):

The purpose of these policies is to provide guidance to Council for processing applications for exemptions from property taxes.

Although the Community Charter states that exceptions are at Council's discretion, these policies provide principles that serve as a guide in the evaluation of applications.

FINANCIAL OVERVIEW

Entering 2024, organizations were optimistic that many of the challenges from the previous year's economic environment were behind us and there would be a positive move in the right direction. Consumer inflation was expected to trend towards historical levels nearing 3.0% and correspondingly drawing interest rates downward towards historical levels, which was signalling a more optimistic forecast for the future and a return to expected economic conditions.

Consumer-based inflation began to return to lower levels early in 2024. However, sectorial inflation, particularly

in the construction and industrial grade goods and complementary services, continued to increase due to continued concerns within the overall supply chain and availability of raw materials. The Bank of Canada’s monetary policy aimed to slow the economy was effective in that consumer-based inflation reduced from the 2023 level of 3.9% and ended the 2024 year averaging 2.4% inflation. Interest rates, having reduced inflation, dropped over the period and ended the year near historical levels.

Over the course of the year, the City's supply chain continued to feel the impact of the world economic challenges, products needed in the delivery of services were in short supply, and inflation led to a dramatic increase in prices. These market conditions continued to impact order times and the availability of replacement parts and equipment, which at times, were being pushed out beyond normal periods by 12–18 months.

Adding to overall economic uncertainty, the conflict between Russia and Ukraine continued into its third year, conflict continued in the Middle East between Hamaslead Palestinian militant groups and Israel. Political impacts and concerns began to occur during the latter half of the year as the BC provincial election was held in October, introducing potential regional concerns, and then in November, the election for the US government was held, with a change in leadership expected in early 2025.

These changes and pending changes impacted the price of many goods and services requiring oil and oil-based products. This was directly felt in the delivery of all goods that are provided by truck to areas of the country and the city and added a degree of uncertainty within the economy.

FINANCIAL POSITION

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL POSITION

For the year end December 31, 2024.

The financial position is calculated as financial assets less liabilities and results in either a net financial asset or a net financial debt. A net financial asset position is an indicator of the funds available for future expenditures, and a net financial debt position is an indicator of funds required to pay for past expenditures.

In 2023, the City’s net financial debt (asset) position changed with the introduction of the reporting for asset retirement obligations as required under Public Sector Accounting Standards 3280. This change required the restating of the 2022 financial position to provide a degree of comparability and is reflected in the current financial statements.

The net financial asset position, which moved to a net financial debt position from a ($8.6) million position in 2023, improved by 43.9 million due to significant investment in civic infrastructure.

The City’s non-financial assets increased by $70.7 million, bringing the non-financial asset total in 2024 to $1.46 billion. The increase resulted from the addition of new capital assets offset by amortization and asset disposals, with a net additional value of $73.9 million. The 2024 year marks the first time the City has invested in civic infrastructure over the $100.0 million mark.

The result of the changes in net financial position and non-financial assets was an accumulated surplus increase in 2024 to $1.41 billion, enhancing and strengthening the City’s overall financial position.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS

For the year end December 31, 2024.

The City’s revenues in 2024 increased by $4.7 million over 2023, marking the first time the City has exceeded $300 million in overall municipal income. Taxation revenue increased in 2024 as a result of a Council approved increase of 9.45%. Total government transfers were down from 2023 by $13.0 million. This was due, in part, to the receipt of just under $16 million from the Province of BC for the Growing Communities Fund, which was a one -time grant received from the Province.

Investment income increased on the strength of locked-in investments from prior periods, providing an overall increase in earned revenues of $0.55 million in 2024. Income available for investments experienced a reduction through 2024 as interest rates have dropped as the Bank of Canada introduced recovery actions, reducing interest rates as consumer inflation reduced. Leading into 2025, there is a degree of uncertainty in the overall investment market based on broader international conditions.

The City’s expenses for 2024 were higher than 2023 by $24.0 million. Major impacts affecting the costs side of the organization included the City’s response to increased and enhanced security in the business sectors, increased support to address the homelessness crisis, and the need to maintain approved service levels in a very volatile inflationary environment. Other cost impacts were related to the expansion of technology infrastructure to support employees working remotely and increased insurance premiums due to the effects of global climate-driven events.

The City’s continued investment in the municipality remains focused on overall asset management and asset replacement programs. Growth continues to be a factor as the community is growing and is estimated to have over 107,900 residents during the past year. This growth introduces new challenges as the expectations and demands from residents change.

LOOKING FORWARD

Entering 2025, there is an increased sense of uncertainty. Political change occurred at the provincial level where the incumbent government stayed in power. However, their majority had dramatically reduced, signalling the public’s concerns about the current political policy. To the south, the incumbent United States government was replaced with a new government, bringing a higher degree of international market uncertainty. Adding to the overall political climate, a national election has been called for the spring amid broad global economic uncertainty.

For the City, moving into the new year brings some of the same challenges felt over the past four years. Some of the challenges experienced in the recent past still play a role in the operations, and there are still some outstanding lead times for goods that will be impacted due to changes in tariffs. The labour market continues to be challenged due to skilled trades and professional shortages, and environmental concerns are still in the front of mind moving into an expected hot and dry summer.

Optimism is also high in the city as the publicly approved borrowing for building two new and much-needed City assets under the Build Kamloops program will break ground. The Kamloops Centre for the Arts is expected to be a $150.0 million construction project. Concurrently, the $120.0 million Arena Multiplex project is expected to bring employment opportunities and economic benefits to the city.

2025 is expected to be a challenging and exciting period for the City as population growth is expected to continue with more people relocating to Kamloops and the Government of BC placing housing targets on the City to increase the housing supply and the affordability of home ownership to BC residents.

Respectfully submitted,

Dave Hallinan, FCPA, FCMA

Corporate Services Director, City of Kamloops

May 1, 2024

Valery Warren

Management's Responsibility for Financial Reporting

The accompanying consolidated financial statements of the City of Kamloops (the "City") are the responsibility of management and have been approved by the Mayor and Council of the City.

The consolidated financial statements have been prepared by management in accordance with Canadian public sector accounting standards. Consolidated financial statements are not precise since they include certain amounts based on estimates and judgments. When alternative accounting methods exist, management has chosen those it deems most appropriate in the circumstances, in order to ensure that the financial statements are presented fairly, in all material respects.

The City maintains systems of internal accounting and administrative controls of high quality, consistent with reasonable cost. Such systems are designed to provide reasonable assurance that the financial information is relevant, reliable and accurate and the City's assets are appropriately accounted for and adequately safeguarded.

The City is responsible for ensuring that management fulfills its responsibilities for financial reporting and is ultimately responsible for reviewing and approving the financial statements.

The Governance and Service Excellence Select Committee reviews the City's consolidated financial statements and recommends their approval to City Council. The Committee meets periodically with management, as well as the external auditors, to discuss internal controls over the financial reporting issues, to satisfy themselves that each party is properly discharging their responsibilities, and to review the annual report, the financial statements and the external auditor's report. The Mayor and Council takes this information into consideration when approving the financial statements for issuance to the ratepayers. The Mayor and Council also appoint the engagement of the external auditors.

The financial statements have been audited by BDO Canada LLP in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards on behalf of the ratepayers. BDO Canada LLP has full access to the Council and management.

Margot Middleton

Deputy Mayor

APRIL 8, 2025

David Hallinan,

FCPA, FCMA Corporate Services Director

APRIL 8, 2025

Tel: 250 372 9505

Fax: 250 374 6323

www.bdo.ca

To the Members of Council of the City of Kamloops

Opinion

We have audited the consolidated financial statements of the City of Kamloops and its controlled entities (the "Consolidated Entity"), which comprise the consolidated statement of financial position as at December 31, 202 4, and the consolidated statement of operations and accumulated surplus, the consolidated statement of changes in net financial debt, and consolidated statement of cash flows for the year then ended, and notes to the consolidated financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies.

In our opinion, the accompanying consolidated financial statements present fairly, in all material respects, the consolidated financial position of the Consolidated Entity as at December 31, 2024, and its results of operations , its change in net financial debt and its consolidated cash flows for the year then ended in accordance with Canadian public sector accounting standards.

Basis for Opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards. Our responsibilities under those st andards are further described in the Auditor’s Responsibilities for the Audit of the Consolidated Financial Statements section of our report. We are independent of the Consolidated Entity in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the consolidated financial statements in Canada, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We beli eve that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Responsibilities of Management and Those Charged with Governance for the Consolidated Financial Statements

Management is responsible for the preparation and fair presentation of the consolidated financial statements in accordance with Canadian public sector accounting standards, and for such internal control as management determines is necessary to enable the preparation of consolidated financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the consolidated financial statements, management is responsible for assessing the Consolidated Entity’s ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting un less management either intends to liquidate the Consolidated Entity or to cease operations, or has no realistic alternative but to do so.

Those charged with governance are responsible for overseeing the Consolidated Entity’s financial reporting process.

BDO

Tel: 250 372 9505

Fax: 250 374 6323

www.bdo.ca

Auditor's Responsibilities for the Audit of the Consolidated Financial Statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the consolidated financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue an auditor’s report that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with Canadian gener ally accepted auditing standards will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individua lly or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the eco nomic decisions of users taken on the basis of these consolidated financial statements.

As part of an audit in accordance with Canadian generally accepted auditing standards, we exercise professional judgment and maintain professional skepticism throughout the audit. We also:

• Identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the consolidated financial statements, whether due to fraud or error, design and perform audit procedures responsive to those risks, and obtain audit evidence that is sufficient and appropriate to provi de a basis for our opinion. The risk of not detecting a material missta tement resulting from fraud is higher than for one resulting from error, as fraud may involve collusion, forgery, intentional omissions, misrepresentations, or the override of inter nal control.

• Obtain an understanding of internal control relevant to the audit in order to design audit procedures that are appropriate in the circumstances, but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Consolidated Entity's internal control.

• Evaluate the appropriateness of accounting policies used and the reasonableness of accounting estimates and related disclosur es made by management.

• Conclude on the appropriateness of management’s use of the going concern basis of accounting and, based on the audit evidence obtained, whether a material uncertainty exists related to events or conditions that may cast significant doubt on the Consolidated Entity’s ability to continue as a going concern. If we conclude that a material uncertainty exists, we are required to draw attenti on in our auditor’s report to the related disclosures in the financial statements or, if such disclosures are inadequate, t o modify our opinion. Our conclusions are based on the audit evidence obtained up to the date of our auditor’s report. However, future events or conditions may cause the Consolidated Entity to cease to continue as a going concern.

• Evaluate the overall presentation, structure and content of the consolidated financial statements, including the disclosures, and whether the financial statements represent the underlying transactions and events in a manner that achieves fair presentation.

• Obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the financial information of the entities or business activities within the Consolidated Entity to express an opinion on the consolidated financial statements. We are responsible for the direction, sup ervision and performance of the group audit. We remain solely responsible for our audit opinion

We communicate with those charged with governance regarding, among other matters, the planned scope and timing of the audit a nd significant audit findings, including any significant deficiencies in internal control that we identify during our audit.

Tel: 250 372 9505

Fax: 250 374 6323 www.bdo.ca

Other Matter – Unaudited information

We have not audited, reviewed or otherwise attempted to verify the accuracy or completeness of Schedule 3 on page 30 of the Entity’s consolidated financial statements.

Chartered Professional Accountants

Kamloops, British Columbia April 8, 2025

Assets

(Note 3)

Consolidated Statement of Financial Position as at December 31, 2024 (in thousands of dollars)

City of Kamloops

See commitments and contingencies (Note 18)

David Hallinan, FCPA, FCMA

Expenses (Note 14)

Consolidated Statement of Change in Net Financial Debt

City of Kamloops

1.Significant accounting policies

City of Kamloops

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2024 (in thousands of dollars)

The City of Kamloops (the "City") was incorporated in 1893 under statute of the Province of British Columbia. Its principal activities include the provision of local government services to residents of the incorporated area. These include cemetery; community development; corporate administration; environmental services; fire services; infrastructure maintenance; legislative and enforcement; parks, recreation and cultural services; police services; public transit; solid waste utility; water utility; and sewer utility. The City is also responsible for the Kamloops Airport Authority Society and the Venture Kamloops Business Development Society.

(a)Basis of presentation

The consolidated financial statements of the City have been prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with Canadian public sector accounting standards ("PSAS") for local governments as recommended by the Public Sector Accounting Board ("PSAB").

(b)Basis of accounting

The basis of accounting followed in these consolidated financial statements is an accrual method and includes revenues in the period in which the transactions or events occurred that gave rise to the revenues and expenses in the period the goods and services were acquired and a liability was incurred.

(c)Basis of consolidation

The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of the Kamloops Airport Authority Society and the Venture Kamloops Business Development Society. Separate audited financial statements have also been prepared for the societies. Inter‐fund balances and transactions have been eliminated.

The Kamloops Airport Authority Society and the Venture Kamloops Business Development Society are controlled by the City through its appointment of the Board of Directors of each society. The consolidated financial statements include all accounts of these societies.

During the year, the City established the Kamloops Community Land Trust Foundation. The establishment of the foundation was a key step in filling the housing gap within the City. The foundation is currently in the startup phase and had nominal financial activities in the year.

(d)Revenue recognition

Revenues from transactions with performance obligations are recognized when (at a point in time) or as (over a period of time) the City satisfies the performance obligations, which occurs when control of the benefits associated with the promised goods or services has passed to the payor.

Taxation for municipal purposes is recorded at estimated amounts when it meets the definition of an asset, has been authorized and the taxable event occurs. For property taxes, the taxable event is the period for which the tax is levied. As taxes recorded are initially based on management’s best estimate of the taxes that will be received, it is possible that changes in future conditions, such as reassessments due to audits, appeals and court decisions, could result in a change in the amount of tax revenue recognized.

The City recognizes revenue from users of the water, sewer, solid waste disposal, and rentals of City property services on a straight‐line basis over the period of time that the relevant performance obligations are satisfied by the City.

The City recognizes revenue from administrative services, building permits, development permits, sales of goods and other licenses and permits at the point in time that the City has performed the related performance obligations and control of the related benefits has passed to the payors.

Revenue from transactions without performance obligation is recognized at realizable value when the City has the authority to claim or retain an inflow of economic resources received or receivable and there is a past transaction or event that gives rise to the economic resources.

The City recognizes revenue from tax penalties and interest, parking ticket fines, and other revenue without associated performance obligations at the realizable value at the point in time when the City is authorized to collect these revenues.

City of

Kamloops

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2024 (in thousands of dollars)

1.Significant accounting policies (continued)

(e)Government transfers

Government transfers are recognized as revenue in the consolidated financial statements when the transfer is authorized and any eligibility criteria are met, except to the extent that transfer stipulations give rise to an obligation that meets the definition of a liability. Transfers are recognized as deferred revenue when transfer stipulations give rise to a liability. Transfer revenue is recognized in the statement of operations as the stipulation liabilities are settled.

(f)Inventory

Inventory is valued at the lower of cost and replacement cost with cost determined by the average cost method.

(g)Tangible capital assets

Tangible capital assets are recorded at cost less accumulated amortization. Costs include all costs directly attributable to the acquisition or construction of the tangible capital asset including transportation costs, design and engineering fees, legal fees and site preparation costs.

Assets were amortized using the straight line method. There are several different amortization periods used for each major category of assets, as follows:

Land No amortization taken

Site improvements

5 to 50 years

Vehicles, machinery and equipment5 to 10 years

Buildings 15 to 50 years

Roads and linear assets 10 to 75 years

Water infrastructure 10 to 75 years

Sewer infrastructure 10 to 75 years

Communication network 20 years

Computing infrastructure 4 to 10 years

Amortization is not taken on tangible capital assets until they are ready for use. The City holds several works of art and historic treasures that have not been included in the tangible capital assets, including displays at the museum, statues located throughout the City and various works of art and decorations in the facilities.

(h)Non‐financial assets

Non‐financial assets are held for use in the provision of goods and services but are not available to discharge existing liabilities. These assets have a useful life extending beyond the current year and are not intended for sale in the ordinary course of operations.

(i)Long‐term debt

Long‐term debt is recorded net of any related sinking fund balances. Debt service charges, including principal and interest, are charged against current revenue in the period in which they occur.

(j)Reserves

Reserve funds are grouped into the following categories: Risk mitigation, Opportunity, Restricted, Planned capital, and Working capital. Amounts are reserved either internally or by statute for specific future purposes.

City of Kamloops

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2024 (in thousands of dollars)

1. Significant accounting policies (continued)

(k)Contaminated sites

A contaminated site is a site at which substances occur in concentrations that exceed the maximum acceptable amounts under an environmental standard. Sites that are currently in productive use are only considered a contaminated site if an unexpected event results in contamination. A liability for remediation of contaminated sites is recognized when the City is directly responsible or accepts responsibility; it is expected that future economic benefits will be given up; and a reasonable estimate of the amount can be made. The liability includes all costs directly attributable to remediation activities including post remediation operations, maintenance and monitoring.

(l)Use of estimates

The preparation of financial statements in accordance with Canadian public sector accounting standards requires management to make estimates and assumptions that have an effect on the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenue and expenses during the year. Actual results could be different from those estimates. Significant estimates in these financial statements include the useful lives of tangible capital assets, post‐employment benefit payable and asset retirement obligations.

(m)Collection of taxes on behalf of other taxation authorities

The taxation, other revenues, expenses, assets and liabilities with respect to the operations of the Thompson Nicola Regional District, Hospital District and other government entities with which the City interacts are not reflected in these financial statements.

(n)Retirement

benefits and other employee benefit plans

The City's contributions due during the period to its multi‐employer defined benefit plan are expensed as incurred. The costs of other retirement benefits that accumulate over the period of service provided by employees are actuarially determined using the projected benefit method prorated on services based on management’s best estimate of retirement ages, inflation rates, investment returns, wage and salary escalation, insurance and health care costs trends, employee turnover and discount rates. Adjustments arising from changes in actuarial assumptions and actuarial gains and losses are amortized over the Expected Average Remaining Service Lifetime (EARSL) of active employees.

(o)Deferred

Revenue

Development Cost Charges

Development cost charges ("DCC's") collected to pay for capital costs due to development are recorded as deferred revenue. DCC's are recognized as revenue when the related development costs are incurred.

(p)Budget information

Budget information was included in the City's Five‐year Financial plan (2024‐2028) and was adopted through Bylaw No. 16‐329 on May 14, 2024.

City of Kamloops

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2024 (in thousands of dollars)

1. Significant accounting policies

(continued)

(q)Financial instruments

Cash and equity instruments quoted in an active market are measured at fair value on initial recognition. All other financial instruments are measured at cost or amortized cost. The carrying amount of each of these financial instruments is presented on the statement of financial position.

Unrealized gains and losses from changes in the fair value of financial instruments are recognized in the statement of remeasurement gains and losses. Upon settlement, the cumulative gain or loss is reclassified from the statement of remeasurement gains and losses and recognized in the statement of operations. Interest and dividends attributable to financial instruments are reported in the statement of operations. There are no unrealized changes in fair value as at December 31, 2024 and December 31, 2023. As a result, the City does not have a statement of remeasurement gains and losses.

When investment income and realized and unrealized gains and losses from changes in the fair value of financial instruments are externally restricted, the investment income and fair value changes are recognized as revenue in the period in which the resources are used for the purpose specified.

For financial instruments measured using amortized cost, the effective interest rate method is used to determine interest revenue or expense.

For portfolio measurements measured at cost, the cost method records the initial investment at cost and earnings from such investments are recognized only to the extent received or receivable. When an investment is written down to recognize an impairment loss, the new carrying value is deemed to be the new cost basis for subsequent accounting purposes.

All financial assets are tested annually for impairment. When financial assets are impaired, impairment losses are recorded in the statement of operations.

Transaction costs are added to the carrying value for financial instruments measured using cost or amortized cost. Transaction costs are expensed for financial instruments measured at fair value.

(r)Asset retirement obligations

An asset retirement obligation is a legal obligation associated with the retirement of a tangible capital asset that the City will be required to settle. The City recognizes asset retirement obligations when there is a legal obligation to incur retirement costs in relation to a tangible capital asset, the past transaction or event giving rise to the liability has occurred, it is expected that future economic benefits will be given up, and a reasonable estimate of the amount can be made.

Asset retirement obligations have been recognized based on the estimated future expenses upon remediation of the tangible capital asset and determined by discounting the expected future cash flows.

The carrying amount of the obligation is reassessed at each financial reporting date. Increase in the obligation related to the passage of time are recognized as accretion expense. Changes related to the timing or amount of the undiscounted cash flows are adjusted against the cost of the related tangible capital asset. The liability is reduced as abatement is performed.

Amounts capitalized as a result of an asset retirement obligation are amortized with the related tangible capital asset in accordance with the policy outlined in Note 1 (g).

2.Segmented information

During the year, the City underwent an organizational restructuring resulting in Community and protective services being split into Protectice services and Community & culture. Additionally, the operations and maintenance of all recreation facilities was reallocated from Civic operations to Community & culture. The current year results and comparatives have been updated to reflect this change. A description of the activities in each section is outlined below.

The City of Kamloops is a diversified municipal government institution that provides a wide range of services to its citizens. Distinguishable functional segments have been separately disclosed. The nature of the segments and the activities they encompass are as follows; and quantitative data on these segments can be found in Note 14.

City of Kamloops

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2024 (in thousands of dollars)

2. Segmented information (continued)

(a)Protective services

This segment includes all of the operating activities of the following:

 Bylaw enforcement, parking and animal control.

 Kamloops Fire and Rescue Services Division including fire prevention, suppression and education. This function also includes maintenance of the fire department fleet, equipment and operation of the Fire Training Centre.

 Polices Services Division. This includes the activities of the RCMP and the municipal staff who support these activities.

(b)Civic operations

This segment includes all of the operating activities of the Civic operations department that involve the repair and maintenance of the City's infrastructure assets including the road network, the storm water (drainage) network, buildings, parks and the City's vehicle fleet. Any repair and maintenance of buildings used by the Community & culture segment is reflected within that segment.

(c)Utilities ‐ Sewer, Solid waste, and Water

This segment includes all of the operating activities related to the collection and treatment of waste water (sewage) throughout the City, the collection and disposal of the resident's garbage and recycling products, and the treatment and distribution of water throughout the City.

(d)Development, engineering, sustainability & public transit

This segment includes many of the activities of the Development, Engineering, and Sustainability departments including building permits, business licenses, zoning, development applications, engineering services, real estate and sustainability initiatives and programs. This segment also includes all of the planning and operating activities of the Public Transit Division to provide Public Transit services to the City.

(e)Corporate administration

This segment includes all of the internal support functions of the City. This includes Human Resources, Information Technology, Finance, Legislative services, Enterprise Risk Management and the Chief Administration Officer's department.

(f)Community & culture

This segment includes the operating activities of the parks, recreation, cultural services and communications departments. This includes the revenue and expenses to provide recreation and culture programs throughout the City. Recreational facilities are maintained by the Civic operations department with costs being represented within Community & culture.

(g)Cemeteries

This segment captures all of the revenue and expenses associated with Cemetery operations including providing services to the public and maintenance of the cemetery infrastructure.

(h)Kamloops Airport Authority Society

This segment includes all of the operating activities of the Kamloops Airport Authority Society ("Kamloops Airport") whose mandate is to oversee the operation of the Kamloops Airport and the repair and maintenance of its assets.

(i)Venture Kamloops Business Development Society

This segment includes all of the operating activities of the Venture Kamloops Business Development Society ("Venture Kamloops").

City of Kamloops

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements December 31, 2024 (in thousands of dollars)

3.Cash and Investments

The City's investments consist of Guaranteed Investment Certificates and Government bonds. Details of investments held are:

4.Accounts Receivable

year end, the amounts outstanding for the City's trade accounts receivable are as

4.Accounts Receivable (continued)

City of Kamloops

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2024 (in thousands of dollars)

7.Post‐employment benefits payable

The City of Kamloops sponsors a defined benefit plan for retirement benefits other than pensions for certain employees. The plan provides for a payout of accumulated sick leave for CUPE local 900 employees; an early retirement incentive payment and deferred vacation payout for IAFF local 913 employees; and an early retirement incentive payment for Management employees.

5.Long‐term Investments

During the year the City made a change to how investments held in trust were reported on the annual financial statements. See note 19 for additional details and disclosure of endowment funds.

6. Accounts Payable

Accounts payable accounts have been reviewed and it has been determined all balances will be settled within the next fiscal year.

Actuarial gains and losses are amortized over the Expected Average Remaining Service Lifetime (EARSL) of active employees. Total benefit payments paid during the year were $562 thousand (2023  ‐  $691 thousand). The plan does not require any contribution from employees. The retirement benefit liability at December 31, 2024 includes the following components:

Actuarial valuations for accounting purposes are performed using the projected benefit method prorated on services. The most recent actuarial report was prepared on January 10, 2025 using data as of December 31, 2024. The accrued benefit obligation shown for 2024 is based on amounts included in the 2025 valuation.

City of

Kamloops

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2024 (in thousands of dollars)

7.Post‐employment benefits (continued)

The actuarial valuation was based on a number of assumptions about future events, such as inflation rates, interest rates, wage and salary increases, and employee turnover and mortality. The assumptions used reflect the City’s best estimates. The expected inflation rate is 2.79% (2023 ‐ 4.09%). The discount rate used to determine the accrued benefit obligation is 4.20% (2023 ‐ 4.10%).

The retirement benefit expense is included in the statement of operations and accumulated surplus as a component of program expenses. The retirement benefit interest expense is included in the public debt interest expense. The prior period cost of plan amendment is included in the current expenses for the year indicated.

8.Liability for remediation of contaminated sites

The City of Kamloops has used the standards contained in Schedule 2 (Industrial and Commercial Purposes and Activities) of the Contaminated Sites Regulation of the British Columbia Environmental Management Act to determine whether a potential liability exists. None of the uses of the parcels identified under Canadian PSAS 3260 meet the criteria listed in Schedule 2 of the Contaminated Sites Regulation, and accordingly the City has not recognized any liabilities for remediation of contaminated sites.

9. Deferred Revenue Balance at December 31, 2023CollectedInterestRecognized Balance at December 31, 2024 General fund Prepaid taxes $23,633$41,061$

Development cost charges

$(38,738) $25,956

City of Kamloops

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements December 31, 2024 (in thousands of dollars)

10.Long‐term debt

(a)Long‐term debt outstanding:

Balance at December 31, 2023 $30,093 $11,386 $9,812 $4,926 $56,217 Principal repayments(3,125)(1,948)(340)(1,073)(6,486) Actuarial adjustments(1,761)(346)(78)(155)(2,340)

Kamloops Airport Authority Society debt is included in the General Fund balance. The amount outstanding on December 31, 2024 was $0.758 million (2023  ‐ $1.568 million).

(b)Future principal repayment and sinking fund earnings on outstanding borrowings over the next five years and thereafter are as follows:

Kamloops Airport Authority Society debt included in General fund ‐  annual principal payment amount: $521 thousand.

The weighted average interest rate on long‐term debt in 2024 was 2.01% (2023 ‐  2.05%). Consolidated interest expense on long‐term debt was $2.712 million (2023 ‐ $2.768 million).

Sinking fund assets, managed by the Municipal Finance Authority, are used to reduce long term debt to be repaid. In the event the City does not default under any of its obligations, the sinking fund earnings will be used to offset future principal repayments.

(c)Un‐issued debt:

The City internally finances certain capital projects pending the issue of long‐term debt and/or short‐term debt. For budget and financial reporting purposes, borrowed funds received in the current year are applied to advances pending from prior year's. A summary of the current year's transactions and cumulative advances pending debenture issue are as follows:

(d)Unused credit facility:

Pursuant to Bylaw No. 16‐306, the City was authorized to apply for a credit facility of $6.0 million. The City has an unused demand overdraft facility agreement with TD Commercial Banking. When drawn upon, interest rates will be equal to the bank’s prime rate.

City of Kamloops

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2024 (in thousands of dollars)

11.Asset Retirement Obligations

The City's asset retirement obligation consists of the following obligations:

(a)Landfill closure and post‐closure costs

The city owns and operates three landfills: Barnhartvale, Kamloops Resource Recovery Center and Mission Flats. The amounts recorded are based on the presently known obligations that will exist over multiple closure dates and monitoring periods as various phases of the landfills are completed. The final closure of the landfills is currently expected to be in 2051, 2066 and 2061. Monitoring of the landfills will be required for an additional 100 years after final closure. Estimated costs of $45 million (2023 ‐  $36 million) have been discounted to the present value using a discount rate of 3.36% per annum (2023 ‐  3.36%). During the year the estimates based on changes to final closure dates were updated resulting in a change in the overall estimated cost.

(b)Asbestos abatement obligation

The City owns and operates several buildings that are known to contain asbestos, which represents a health hazard and which various regulations require specific considerations upon asset retirement. The buildings all have an estimated useful life of 30‐130 years from the date of completion of construction, of which various numbers of years remain. Estimated costs of $3.7 million (2023 ‐  $3.7 million) have been discounted to the present value using a discount rate of 3.36% per annum (2023 ‐ 3.36%).

(c)Dams, wells and irrigation systems

The City owns dam, well and irrigation infrastructure which are legislatively required to be remediated upon retirement of the asset. The assets have estimated useful lives of 50‐75 years, of which various years remain. Estimated costs of $5.4 million (2023 ‐  $7.3 million) have been discounted to the present value using a discount rate of 3.36% per annum (2023 ‐  3.36%). During the year the Noble Creek Irrigation System was disposed of.

(d)Salt and snow storage sites

The City owns three sites that are used for salt and or snow storage. Due to the possible contamination of the sites that would represent a hazard, the sites are required to be remediated upon retirement. The sites have remaining useful lives of 60‐65 years, of which various years remain.

Estimated costs of $6.0 million (2023 ‐ $1.6 million) have been discounted to the present value using a discount rate of 3.36% per annum (2023 ‐  3.36%). During the year estimates for the Mission Flats Old Civic Operations yard were updated based on new information.

(e)Asset retirement obligation continuity:

2024

(627) ‐ (627)

$11,566 $40,030

The asset retirement obligation has been estimated using a net present value technique using the assumptions as described above. The related asset retirement costs are being amortized on a straight‐line basis over the remaining useful lives of the assets.

Significant estimates and assumptions are made in determining the asset retirement costs as there are numerous factors that will affect the amount ultimately payable. Those uncertainties may result in future actual expenditures that are different than the amounts currently recorded. At each reporting date, as more information and experience is obtained as it relates to these asset retirement obligations, the estimates of the timing, the undiscounted cash flows and the discount rates may change. Adjustments to these factors are accounting for as an adjustment to the asset retirement obligation and the related tangible capital asset in the current period on a prospective basis.

City of Kamloops

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements December 31, 2024 (in thousands of dollars)

12.Tangible Capital Assets

During the year the City received $0.868 million (2023 ‐

million) in land and infrastructure from developers and $5.869 million (2023 ‐ $2.448 million) from other sources. These contributed tangible capital assets were recorded at fair value at the date of contribution. Non‐cash additions related to the remeasurement of asset retirement obligations for the year were $3.976 million. No interest was capitalized and no write‐downs of capital assets occurred during the year. In 2024, the Kamloops Airport Authority Society reclassified amounts between reporting categories resulting in the above noted Adjustments.

(b) 2023

13.Accumulated surplus

(a)Risk mitigation reserves

City of Kamloops

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements December 31, 2024 (in thousands of dollars)

(c)Restricted

(b)Opportunity reserves

(d)Planned capital spend reserves

City of Kamloops

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements December 31, 2024 (in thousands of dollars)

13. Accumulated surplus (continued)

(e)Working capital

In 2023 the Utilities reserves were amalgamated with Working Capital for the Sewer fund, Water fund and Solid Waste Fund. Additionally, the Solid Waste fund was separated from the General fund. These changes align financial reporting with operations.

(f)Capital equity

In 2023 the

Waste

was separated from the General

in order for financial

to align with operations.

City of Kamloops

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements December 31, 2024 (in thousands of dollars)

14.Operating revenue and expense by segment. 2024 actual amounts with 2024 fiscal plan and 2023 actual comparables

Summary of departments and major categories

Excess (deficiency) of revenues over

City of Kamloops

15.Taxation

17.Government transfers

16.Private contributions

City of Kamloops

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2024 (in thousands of dollars)

18.Commitments and Contingencies

(a) The City of Kamloops has entered into various agreements and contracts for services and construction for periods ranging from one to five years.

(b) The City of Kamloops, as a member of the Thompson Nicola Regional District, is liable for its proportion of any operating deficits or long‐term debt related to functions in which it participates.

(c) The City of Kamloops is a participant in the Municipal Insurance Association of British Columbia. Should the Association pay out claims in excess of premiums received, it is possible the City, along with other participants, would be required to contribute towards the deficit.

(d) The City of Kamloops and its employees contribute to the Municipal Pension Plan (a jointly trusteed pension plan). The board of trustees, representing plan members and employers, is responsible for administering the plan, including investment of the assets and administration of benefits. The plan is a multi‐employer defined benefit pension plan. Basic pension benefits provided are based on a formula. As of December 31, 2024, the plan has about 256,000 active members and approximately 129,000 retired members. Active members include approximately 45,000 contributors from local governments.

Every three years, an actuarial valuation is performed to assess the financial position of the plan and adequacy of the plan funding. The actuary determines an appropriate combined employer and member contribution rate to fund the plan. The actuary's calculated contribution rate is based on the entry‐age normal cost method, which produces the long‐term rate of member and employer contributions sufficient to provide benefits for average future entrants to the plan. This rate may be adjusted for the amortization of any unfunded actuarial liability.

The most recent actuarial valuation for the Municipal Pension Plan as at December 31, 2021 indicated a $3,761 million funding surplus for basic pension benefits on a going concern basis.

The City of Kamloops paid $7.964 million (2023 ‐  $6.736 million) for employer contributions while employees contributed $6.902 million (2023 ‐  $5.874 million) to the plan in fiscal 2024.

The next valuation will be as at December 31, 2024 with results available in 2025.

Employers participating in the plan record their pension expense as the amount of employer contributions made during the year (defined contribution pension plan accounting). This is because the plan records accrued liabilities and accrued assets for the plan in aggregate, resulting in no consistent and reliable basis for allocating the obligation, assets and cost to the individual employers participating in the Plan.

(e) From time to time the City of Kamloops is brought forth as defendant in various lawsuits. The City reviews its exposure to any potential litigation for which it would not be covered by insurance and assesses whether a successful claim against the City would materially affect the consolidated financial statements of the City. The City reserves a portion of its operating surplus for future payment of insurance deductibles and payment of claims for which it would not be covered by insurance. The City is currently not aware of any claims brought against it that if not defended successfully would result in a material change to the consolidated financial statements of the City.

(f) The City issues certain of its debt instruments through the Municipal Finance Authority. As a condition of these borrowings and as required by legislation, a debt reserve fund is to be established in the amount of one‐half the average instalment of principal and interest as set out in the agreement(s) entered into. The reserve is funded in part by cash, being the withholding of 1% of the total issue proceeds, and the remainder being funded by a demand note whereby the City may be required to loan certain amounts to the Municipal Finance Authority. These demand notes are contingent in nature and are not reflected in the accounts of the City.

City of Kamloops

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2024 (in thousands of dollars)

18. Commitments and Contingencies (continued)

(g) The Kamloops Airport Authority Society has entered into a lease agreement with Kamloops Airport Ltd. for a forty‐five year term ending August 27, 2042. The lease provides for the option to extend the term for a further 20 years.

The lease agreement requires that Kamloops Airport Ltd. operate and maintain the Kamloops Airport in a manner consistent with good business practices and shall use their best efforts to generate optimum revenues and rent. The lease agreement also contains specific conditions for compliance with a series of requirements, including environmental standards, minimum insurance coverage, specific accounting and reporting requirements and various other matters that have a significant effect on the day to day operation of the airport.

19.Trust Funds

The City operates the cemeteries and maintains a cemetery perpetual care fund in accordance with the Cremation, Interment and Funeral Services Act. In accordance with PSAS guidelines, the Cemetery Perpetual Care Trust Fund is excluded from the City's consolidated financial statements.

The City has certain endowment funds that are held by the British Columbia Interior Community Foundation: the City of Kamloops Centennial Fund "A", the City of Kamloops Centennial Fund "B", the 1979 Winter Games Legacy Fund, the 1993 Canada Summer Games Fund, the 2006 BC Summer Games Legacy Fund, the Art Gallery Reserve Fund and the Arts Legacy Fund.

All of the income earned in the City of Kamloops Centennial Fund "A" is re‐invested in the fund. 90% of the income earned in the City of Kamloops Centennial Fund "B" is returned to the City to support the grant‐in‐aid program and the remaining 10% is re‐invested in the fund. 75% of the income earned in the 1979 Winter Games Sports Legacy Fund is distributed to the City and the remaining 25% is re‐invested in the fund. All of the income earned in the 1993 Canada Summer Games Legacy Fund is re‐invested in the fund. 75% of the income earned in the 2006 BC Summer Games Legacy Fund is distributed back to the City and the remaining 25% is re‐invested in the fund. All of the income earned in the Art Gallery Reserve Fund is distributed to the City. 75% of the income earned in the Arts Legacy Fund is distributed back to the City and the remaining 25% is re‐invested in the fund.

In accordance with PSAS guidelines, trusts administrered by a government organziation should be excluded from the City's consolidated financial statements.

City of Kamloops

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements December 31, 2024 (in thousands of dollars)

20.Fiscal Plan

The Financial Plan By‐law adopted by Council at the time of adoption of the Annual Taxation By‐law did not anticipate amortization expense. In addition, some expenses that were classified as capital expenses did not represent new assets or extend the life or service capacity or improve the quality of an existing asset and, therefore, must be added to the operating expenses. These expenses are added to the Financial Plan and presented as the fiscal plan in these Financial Statements as follows:

City of Kamloops

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements

December 31, 2024 (in thousands of dollars)

21.Financial Instruments

Financial Instrument Risk Management

The City is exposed to credit risk, liquidity risk, and interest rate risk from its financial instruments. This note describes the City's objectives, policies, and processes for managing those risks and the methods used to measure them. Further qualitative and quantitative information in respect of these risks is presented below and throughout these financial statements.

There have not been any changes from the prior year in the City's exposure to above risks or the policies, procedures and methods it uses to manage and measure the risks.

Credit risk

Credit risk is the risk that one party to a financial instrument will cause a financial loss for the other party by failing to discharge the obligation. The City is exposed to credit risk through its cash, investments and accounts receivable.

The City manages it credit risk for cash and accounts receivable by placing its cash and investments with high credit quality financial institutions and using a credit approval process for certain recurring accounts receivables. The City measures its exposure to credit risk based on the length of time accounts have been outstanding and historical collections. The maximum exposure is the carrying value of cash, investments and accounts receivable as outlined in notes 3 and 4. Accounts receivable arise primarily as a result of utilities, property taxes, and grants. Based on this knowledge, credit risk of cash and accounts receivable are assessed as low.

The City manages exposure to credit risk for investments by ensuring adequate diversification and by maintaining its investments in line with the requirements of Section 183 of the Community Charter of the Province of BC. As a result, the City has reduced exposure to market or value risk. The maximum exposure to credit risk on investments is the carrying value outlines in note 3.

Liquidity risk

Liquidity risk is the risk that the City will encounter difficulty in meeting obligations associated with financial liabilities. The City is exposed to liquidity risk through its accounts payable, long‐term debt and investments.

The City manages this risk by closely monitoring maturity dates of investments and ensuring they include items that are highly liquid, by monitoring cash flows and forecasting upcoming outlays and by having the ability to increase tax rates and user fees per bylaws in order to increase cash. Also to help manage the risk, the City has in place a planning, budgeting and forecasting process to help determine the funds required to support the normal operating requirements. The City's five‐year financial plan is approved by Mayor and Council, which includes operational activities and capital expenditures. The City measures its exposure to liquidity risk based on extensive budgeting and results of cash flow forecasting. The contractual maturities of long‐term debt are noted in note 10 and accounts payable maturities are all within the next fiscal year.

City of Kamloops

Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements December 31, 2024 (in thousands of dollars)

21. Financial Instruments (continued)

Interest rate risk

Interest rate risk is the risk that the fair value or future cash flows of a financial instrument will fluctuate because of changes in market interest rates. The City is exposed to interest rate risk through its long‐term debt and value of investments.

The City manages interest rate risk on its long‐term debt by holding all debt through the Municipal Finance Authority at a fixed rate, with refinancing typically being completed at the ten or fifteen year mark. Therefore, fluctuations in market interest rates would not impact future cash flows and operations relating to long‐term debt.

Total repayments over the next 5 years are as follows:

Investments that are subject to interest rate risk are investments held with approved financial institutions. The risk is caused by changes in interest rates. As interest rates rise, the fair value of the investments decreases and, as interest rates fall, the fair value of these investments increase.

Schedule 1:

Kamloops Airport Authority Society

Statement of Financial Position

As at December 31, 2024 (in thousands of dollars)

City of Kamloops

Consolidated Statement of Operations

For the year ended December 31, 2024 (in thousands of dollars)

City of Kamloops

City of Kamloops

3:

Growing Communities Fund

The Province of British Columbia distributed conditional Growing Communities Fund (GCF) grants to communities at the end of March 2023 to help local governments build community infrastructure and amenities to meet the demands of population growth. The GCF provided a one‐time total of $1 billion in grants to all 161 municipalities and 27 regional districts in British Columbia.

The City received $15.692 million of the GCF in March 2023.

Peter Olsen

Statistical Reports

For the year ended December 31, 2024

City of Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada

Prepared by: City of

Corporate Services Department

Kamloops,

Christopher A. James

Where the Money Went

CONSOLIDATED REVENUE AND EXPENSES

FIVE-YEAR CONSOLIDATED REVENUE BY SOURCE

2024 CONSOLIDATED EXPENSES BY CATEGORY

FIVE-YEAR CONSOLIDATED EXPENSES BY CATEGORY

FIVE-YEAR ACCUMULATED SURPLUS

DID YOU KNOW?

THE ANNUAL SURPLUS measures whether a City has maintained its net assets in a year. An annual surplus in the year shows that revenues raised in the year were sufficient to cover the year's cost.

THE ACCUMULATED SURPLUS represents the City's net economic resources. An accumulated surplus is that amount by which all assets exceed all liabilities. An accumulated surplus indicates that the City has net resources that can be used to provide future services.

PRINCIPAL CORPORATE TAXPAYERS

DID YOU KNOW?

The City of Kamloops only determines and receives the municipal portion of property taxes. Over a third of property taxes are set by and collected for other authorities.

Property taxes can’t really be compared apple to apple from one municipality to the next because average home values can vary a lot, skewing the data, and the services provided by municipalities in different communities can also vary. Kamloops tax rates continue to be competitive with other BC municipalities of a similar size.

Includes general municipal property tax values; does not include special levies, utilities, or taxes levied by other taxing authorities. Based on largest individual corporate folio. Taxes levied based on a percentage of total municipal taxes.

Source: City of Kamloops, Financial Services Division

LONG-TERM DEBT AND DEBT PER CAPITA

DID YOU KNOW?

The per-capita debt for Kamloops is low even though the City has to provide services and infrastructure for all of its residents and some of the surrounding areas; unlike other municipalities that can share major infrastructure costs with neighbouring communities.

Lynn Sunderman

DID YOU KNOW?

Tangible capital assets include land, buildings, equipment, computer networks, roads, sidewalks, lighting, water, sewer and drainage infrastructure. The City's capital assets also include the Kamloops Airport facilities and equipment.

In 2023, the City implemented the Public Sector Accounting Standard 3280 Asset Retirement Obligations. As a result, financial results for 2022 were restated resulting in a net debt position of ($5,349,932). The new standard requires management to identify and quantify all legal obligations relating to the decommissioning of assets. This includes considerations for items such as the City landfills, asbestos abatement, decommissioning of dams, wells, and irrigation infrastructure and abatement of contamination due to salt and snow storage.

CITY OF KAMLOOPS FULL TIME EQUIVALENT POSITIONS

Source: City of Kamloops, Human Resources and Safety Department

Kathleen Fisher

NEW CONSTRUCTION AND BUSINESS LICENCES

Source: City of Kamloops, Development, Engineering, and Sustainability Department

Justine Vande Caveye

Development, Engineering, and Sustainability Application Summary

Workforce Composition

TOP 3 INDUSTRIES IN SERVICES SECTOR

In the Services sector, Health Care, Retail, and Professional Services lead employment, representing a dominant portion of the workforce.

HEALTH CARE AND SOCIAL ASSISTANCE WORKERS WHOLESALE AND RETAIL TRADE WORKERS

TOP 3 INDUSTRIES IN GOODS SECTOR

The Goods sector is mainly driven by industries such as Construction, Manufacturing, and Agriculture, which together account for a substantial share of the workforce.

36,900

54,600 39,200 23,000 24,100 CONSTRUCTION WORKERS

PROFESSIONAL, SCIENTIFIC AND TECHNICAL SERVICES WORKERS MANUFACTURING WORKERS

11,900 FORESTRY, FISHING, MINING, QUARRYING, OIL AND GAS WORKERS

Source: Statistics Canada - Labour Force Survey December 2024

City of Kamloops

Permissive Tax Exemptions

Every year, the City of Kamloops receives applications from non-profit organizations that own land and qualify for tax exemption under the requirements of provincial legislation. In 2024, the following non-profit organizations qualified:

Provincial Legislation (the Community Charter) statutorily exempts the building and the land on which the building stands, for places of worship, specific seniors' housing, hospitals, and private schools. Council may, by bylaw, permissively exempt the land surrounding the building. In 2021, Council adopted bylaws to exempt the following surrounding lands:

HOUSING

PRIVATE HOSPITALS

Council adopted Permissive Tax bylaw cited as Transit Exchange Partnering Property Tax Exemption:

Revitalization tax exemptions are limited to municipal property taxes (Sec 197(1)a of the Community Charter) and do not extend to school and other property taxes. Council adopted said bylaws to exempt the following properties.

Community Service Agreements

ECONOMIC SERVICE AGREEMENTS

Tournament Capital Grants

17,302

20,730

$7,622,640

TRANSFER OF FEDERAL REACHING HOME GRANTS

Lynn Sunderman

Important Contact Information

City of Kamloops

City Hall: 7 Victoria Street West, Kamloops, BC, V2C 1A2

250-828-3311 | info@kamloops.ca Kamloops.ca | LetsTalk.Kamloops.ca

Report an Issue

8:00 am–4:00 pm: 250-828-3461

For emergencies, press "1" for an after-hours contact

Hours of Operation

8:00 am–4:00 pm

Closed on weekends and statutory holidays

Mayor’s Office

250-828-3494

Kamloops.ca/Council

City Department List Kamloops.ca/Departments

Chief Administrative Officer’s Office 250-828-3498

Communications and Community Engagement 250-828-3445

Development, Engineering, and Sustainability 250-828-3561

Corporate Services 250-828-3811

Community and Culture 250-828-3400

Protective Services: 250-828-3569

Civic Operations 250-828-3461

Human Resources and Safety 250-828-3439

Community Services (Bylaws) 250-828-3409 Kamloops.ca/CommunityServices

Landfill Kamloops.ca/Landfills

Tournament Capital Centre Kamloops.ca/TCC

Bus Schedule and Fares BCTransit.com

Venture Kamloops VentureKamloops.com

Tourism Kamloops TourismKamloops.com

Fire 911

Ambulance 911

RCMP (Bilingual) 560 Battle Street 250-828-3000

Royal Inland Hospital 311 Columbia Street 250-374-5111

Drive BC DriveBC.ca

Weather Weather.gc.ca

CITY OF KAMLOOPS

Susan Myles