Following are a collection of reader responses to stories or letters to the editor for the first week of February 2024. They have been edited slightly for readability. 

Got something you want to add? Send an email to editor Marshall Jones at mjones@infonews.ca.

—

iN PHOTOS: Entertaining wildlife captures in Kamloops, Okanagan

Awesome photos. — Dorothy Taylor, via iNFOnews.ca 

Kamloops mayor got nearly 20 privacy breach warnings since election: court documents

Is this guy pretending he’s Donald Trump? Looks like it. Let’s hope the Canadian system can deal with this better than the U.S. system. — Robert Bishop, via iNFOnews.ca 

Kamloops council unhappy with high RCMP cost wants new deal with feds, province

City council should see what it would cost to have their own police force. — Leo Bonthoux, via iNFOnews.ca 

— 

Lake Country’s 27% tax increases over last two years was mostly due to increased RCMP policing costs, and soon they’ll need a new building. It’s crazy that the $200 thousand plus annual cost per officer doesn’t include equipment like guns and new body cams. Federal imperatives such as body cams should be funded by the feds. — Keith Veerman, via iNFOnews.ca 

—

Since 1951, the province and cities have received the RCMP services at a reduced cost. The feds have picked up a chunk, but this model is contrary to police governance because policing of provinces and its municipalities are now and always have been a provincial responsibility. Cities like Kamloops have gotten a police service for far less than should have been expected.

With the unionization of the RCMP, more complex investigations, criminal prosecutions and the modernization of equipment, costs are rising. Cities need to decide what they and their citizens are prepared to shoulder. If you stick with the RCMP you get less control over hiring of which the RCMP has had considerable challenges over the years, but are trying to modernize their approach to better serve the communities they serve.

Provinces like Alberta and Saskatchewan are utilizing other provincial law enforcement services to enhance and augment current policing models, like Sheriffs and Conservation Officers. The one obstacle thrown out by the RCMP is those services are not hired or trained as well. That may have been true 30 years ago, but current provincial standards are intertwined with these provincial services and their recruiting standards, training etc. meet or exceed provincial standards set down for municipal agencies.

Change must occur, models need to be tweaked, and duties spread around to better serve the public. Gone are the days of one agency being all things to all people. The RCMP has tried very hard to cover all the bases but our modern era is causing them to appear unprepared when they really are not, they are just overwhelmed by the complex needs of 2025.

We need to re-tool for the public’s sake, and the sake of our next generation. Regretfully, politicians often spend as much time and money on forming committees and studying and re-studying issues than getting down to brass tacts and making some concrete business decisions.

By the way, as you continue to ponder, create more committees and ring your hands, those costs and solutions are going to cost even more. Change needs to happen, must happen for the publics sake and politicians need to lead and resolve these problems before the problem runs over top of the cities like a lava flow with no way to control or stop it.

I’m retired after 40 years of serving and ensuring public safety.

— Jeremy Kerr, via iNFOnews.ca 

Okanagan distillery sees 'significant' bump in sales after US spirits pulled from shelves

The BC NDP and the BC Liberals are the reason why the election went from being a probable NDP victory with the BC Conservative Party as a fringe party to it being a razor close election. The small breweries and distilleries have been hamstrung enough. In fact it’s shameful that this had to happen in order for them to grow their respective businesses. — Blake Newton, via iNFOnews.ca 

From Musk to mushrooms, Canadian buyers let money do the talking amid tariff turmoil

For certain, it is a sad situation. We’ve had this supportive and respectful relationship with the United States of America. We’ve been there for them in their time of need, the latest with firefighters and water bombers to L.A., and we have also had our differences with them too, but both sides were able to see their way through it. This time, however, their president has crossed the line with his trolling, insinuations and blame culture. It’s going to be difficult to fix the damage he has already caused and Canadians are stepping up to the plate to say they are not going to take the abusive treatment anymore. — Deborah Podurgiel, via iNFOnwews.ca 

THOMPSON: Canada don't fall for Trump's lies, bluster and nonsense

Don’t stop closing the loopholes that some deranged president could take advantage of. Protect ahead of it happening. — Diane Courneyeur, via iNFOnews.ca

iN RESPONSE to Feb. 3, 2025 newsletter editorial regarding the disfunction on Kamloops city council

I think the council should focus on city business and not be upset by words. It seems to me they all need to be replaced. The mayor was met with intolerance from them from day one. He was elected to change things and make the city a better place, but seems some councillors don’t agree. — William Balyx, via email

—

I have a question. Has the mayor done anything since being elected which is a genuine benefit to the citizens of Kamloops? Just a question. — Robin Dunn, via email

—

His behaviour is unprecedented in this city. He has no respect for his role or the citizens of Kamloops. He must resign. — Shannon Wallis, via email 

—

I like the mayor. Council does not care for the citizens of Kamloops. — Alexa Pongracz, via email 

Trudeau says U.S. tariffs on Canada will be paused for 30 days

OK, Trump has backed down for now, but wake up people! We continue to boycott US products until we get a permanent resolution! Double down! That’s what the Trump clown show does. Let’s stay strong. Go Canada! — Bonnie Derry, via email

Tribunal slams ICBC as Kelowna driver wins appeal

It’s about time ICBC got told. The way they bully their customers around is sad. If we had open competition in the market, ICBC would never get away with this, but sadly we are stuck with a one company monopoly. — Dick Dawson, via iNFOnews.ca 

Kamloops wildlife photographer makes rare find

Very cool! — Laura York, via iNFOnews.ca 

BC realtor promised client a Kelowna condo, instead bought himself a house

A disgusting man who took advantage of the kindness and ran with it with no regard for what he did. He should have received jail time. — Richard Haines, via iNFOnews.ca 

Trudeau announces 25 per cent targeted retaliatory tariffs

Why is our response targeting alcohol from red states? These tariffs imposed by the U.S. are not targeted based on province of production, they are based on nation of production. Our response should be similarly targeted. — William Mastop, via iNFOnews.ca

Vernon seniors centre sued by founders over unpaid debt

The Knights of Columbus should forgive the loan knowing the centre is falling into a state of disrepair and let them take what money they do have to fix what needs to be fixed. These are very hard times right now and the seniors that live there should come first over profit. You can’t bleed money from stone. — Bryan Urich, via iNFOnews.ca 

THOMPSON: Canada don't fall for Trump's lies, bluster and nonsense

Buy Canadian, and if we don’t make it or grow it, buy Mexican, Central and South American and anywhere else in the world. — Bonnie Derry, via iNFOnews.ca 

Canada's forestry sector faces uncertainty with 25 per cent U.S. tariffs

Read it again. The US can only satisfy 70% of the need without taking into consideration the LA fires and North Carolina hurricane damage. The Americans are going to have to have the lumber and they will pay. Take a deep breath and keep avoiding buying US products until they iron this out. — Bonnie Derry, via iNFOnews.ca 

To contact a reporter for this story, email Marshall Jones or call 250-718-2724 or email the editor. You can also submit photos, videos or news tips to the newsroom and be entered to win a monthly prize draw.

We welcome your comments and opinions on our stories but play nice. We won't censor or delete comments unless they contain off-topic statements or links, unnecessary vulgarity, false facts, spam or obviously fake profiles. If you have any concerns about what you see in comments, email the editor in the link above. 

SUBSCRIBE to our awesome newsletter here.

News from © iNFOnews, 2025