Kamloops This Week closed in October after publishing for 35 years.

(SHANNON AINSLIE / iNFOnews.ca)

Kamloops's only newspaper closed this month, leaving the city to reconsider where it will advertise public notices.

BC municipalities routinely publish notices for public hearings and annual tax sales, for example, taking out ads in local newspapers.

At a council meeting today, Oct. 31, staff recommended statutory notices be published to the city's own website in lieu of its former advertising choice Kamloops This Week. Council voted in favour and will now use its own platforms to advertise to the public.

Newspapers across country, including BC, have been closing routinely in recent years, not only shrinking the news coverage in those communities, but also leaving municipalities looking for new places to advertise notices they are required to provide to the public.

READ MORE: One of Kamloops newspaper's first reporters reflects on closure

"The city considered other local media sources as options for statutory ads," the staff report read.

Radio and television wouldn't be appropriate to advertise the level of detail the city needs, according to the report. In considering digital media, which is available from all remaining news outlets locally, staff decided the city could more easily advertise on its own website.

The city website gives staff "more flexibility and control" over the ad platform and won't be limited by press deadlines, according to the report. The city may also add an email subscription for the notices.

Councillor Katie Neustaeter asked whether the city could revisit the policy if another newspaper were to open, to which staff said that would be possible if council asked.

Chief administrative officer David Trawin said it would come at some advertising costs since using the city website is much cheaper. The report did not say how much the city paid Kamloops This Week each year for advertising or how much the city will be saving now.

None of the councillors asked about other media advertising options. 

Across BC, more than 96% of people have internet access at home, so staff is "confident" the vast majority of Kamloops residents can find notices on the city website. Physical notices can continue to be found on a bulletin board at city hall.

READ MORE: Closure of Kamloops's only newspaper not unexpected by some

Properties more directly impacted by a development application will still get letters delivered to them.

The province mandates municipalities to issue statutory notices, now giving more flexible guidelines in the wake of newspaper closures across BC. That can include a local government Facebook page, emails and mails, bulletin boards at recreation centres and on the city website. The province does exclude some options, like X (formerly Twitter) and broadcast media like radio and TV.

Councillor Kelly Hall, who was the former publisher of Kamloops This Week, recused himself from the vote as he has an interest in media.

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