AI-generated illustration; not a photograph of the reported event.
- calendar_today October 20, 2026
Kamloops Mayor Hospitalized Following Heart Attack
Reid Hamer-Jackson, outgoing mayor of Kamloops, B.C., revealed that he was hospitalized last week after experiencing a heart attack, just days before the city's municipal election. Hamer-Jackson spent the majority of election week in hospital care, only departing briefly to observe the election results on Saturday night.
Temporary Discharge to Attend Election Night
Speaking to CBC's Daybreak South, Hamer-Jackson explained that he had to sign a waiver to secure a temporary discharge from the hospital, permitting him to be present at his campaign headquarters for a few hours on election night. Upon returning to the hospital, he told CBC, "It looks like I am going to need some renovations on the heart area. I guess it was a heart attack." He added that the health incident occurred the previous Tuesday.
Election Results and Mayor's Performance
In the mayoral contest, Hamer-Jackson finished fourth, trailing the winner, two-term city councillor Mike O'Reilly, by more than 9,600 votes. The municipal election marked the end of a tumultuous term, with O'Reilly set to be sworn in alongside the new council on Monday, November 2.
Reflection on Kamloops Politics
The outgoing mayor reflected on the election outcome, saying, "Voters picked what they want. Looks like we got some good people on council and hopefully enough to make a difference." Hamer-Jackson attributed his defeat to what he described as negative coverage by both the previous council and the media, suggesting that the accompanying stress may have contributed to his heart issues. "If people hadn't been so nasty I might not have found out I needed a renovation right now," he remarked.
Ongoing Health Concerns and Future Plans
Hamer-Jackson is currently awaiting a surgery date and indicated that he may spend time focusing on his health and family after stepping down as mayor. "I am going to need some renovations on the heart area," he reiterated, noting the importance of recovery after his tenure.
Background: A Term Marked by Conflict
Since taking office in 2022, Hamer-Jackson's time as mayor was characterized by frequent conflicts within Kamloops council and with other city officials. Notably, Hamer-Jackson filed, but ultimately lost, a defamation lawsuit against Councillor Katie Neustaeter. Earlier this month, a judge ordered him to pay Neustaeter's legal costs and damages related to the defamation case.
Looking Ahead for Kamloops Council
With O'Reilly and the new council set to take office in early November, the city's municipal government is poised for a new chapter following a contentious period in Kamloops politics.
With files from Doug Herbert and Shelley Joyce
Source: cbc.ca.
