Kamloops, British Columbia’s outgoing mayor revealed that he had been hospitalized following a heart attack. Reid Hamer-Jackson disclosed that he had spent a significant portion of the past week in the hospital leading up to the municipal election in the city. During an interview with CBC’s “Daybreak South,” Hamer-Jackson mentioned that he was briefly allowed out of the hospital on Saturday night to check election results before being readmitted. He expressed that it appeared he would require cardiac procedures due to a heart attack incident.
The heart attack occurred on the previous Tuesday, and Hamer-Jackson signed a waiver to temporarily leave the hospital and attend his campaign headquarters on election night. Despite finishing fourth in the mayoral race, trailing over 3,500 votes behind the winner, two-term Kamloops councillor Mike O’Reilly, Hamer-Jackson faced a challenging term since his election in 2022. The city’s municipal politics were fraught with conflicts, particularly between the mayor and fellow council members. Hamer-Jackson’s tenure involved legal disputes, including an unsuccessful defamation lawsuit against Coun. Katie Neustaeter, for which he was ordered to cover legal costs and damages.
Reflecting on the election outcome, Hamer-Jackson remarked that voters had made their choice, expressing hope for positive changes with the new council. He attributed his defeat to the actions of the previous council and the media, suggesting that stress from external factors may have impacted his health. He emphasized the need for personal well-being, hinting at a break to prioritize health and family post-mayoral term.
Awaiting a surgery date, Hamer-Jackson plans to shift focus towards recuperation and family post-mayorship. The incoming mayor, Mike O’Reilly, along with the new council members, will be sworn in on Monday, November 2.
Image source: [CBC](https://timesofosaka.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/10/default-9490.jpeg)
