Jimmy Johal
Make a DonationCandidate for City Councillor
Contact Information
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Facebook: Click to View
Phone: 2503180009
Personal Information
Resident of: North KamloopsAge: 38
Current Occupation: Accountant, Licensed Builder, Small Business Owner
Political Experience:
I've been working in the private-sector creating jobs - building businesses and helping others start and grow their businesses. I will bring a refreshingly honest perspective to city hall - one that focuses on empowering people, businesses, and neighbourhoods.
Biography
I was born and raised in Kamloops, in a low-income household, by a single mother who had to work 2 jobs to get by. As a kid, I used to deliver 200 newspapers before school. At the age of 16 I started my first business. When it was time to go to University, I worked and studied hard, and took out student loans to complete my education. For this reason, I strongly believe that every person, regardless of where they come from, deserves an opportunity to thrive.
I attended TRU when it was known as UCC, and then completed my accounting program at BCIT in Burnaby, BC. I’m a small business owner and the former Regional Manager of 11 retail stores. I’ve managed a staff of over 150. At one time, I was also the youngest Licensed Residential Builder in Kamloops. I’ve been working in the private-sector my entire career creating jobs – building businesses and helping others start and grow their businesses.
My wife and I are raising our 3 year old son here. We want to raise him in a city that’s safe, healthy, and thriving.
My life and job experiences, as well as my education, have given me the ability to empathize, to listen, and to get things done! I want to give back to the community that gave me so much.
That’s why I’m asking you for your support. Let’s build a stronger, smarter, and more responsive city together.
Answers to Questions from the Public
Julie asks the City Councillor, Mayor Candidates
After having lived in more than a few cities, I have found Kamloops lacking in many different areas such as transit, road maintenance, traffic flow, taxis (very big issue!) and pedestrian accessibility. Have you taken into account these issues and what are your solutions be timeline?
Thank you,
Julie
Jimmy Johal Answered
One of my main priorities is to focus on people and their neighbourhoods. I think all neighbourhoods should be treated fairly. No neighbourhood should get left behind. This includes looking at all those things you mention. Making sure our neighbourhoods are safe for pedestrians, bicyclists, and people with mobility issues is a must. Making sure road maintenance and transit is comparable in all areas of the city is a must. I want the city to engage with residents in each neighbourhood to find out what their main concerns are, and then have them prepare a plan, with timelines. Too many plans at city hall never get implemented and just sit there collecting dust. That's unacceptable and a big waste of taxpayer money. I'd also like to see a report, every year or so, highlighting what the city has done for each neighbourhood, to make sure everyone is being treated fairly, and if there's problems, council has the ability to act accordingly.
Leslie asks the City Councillor, Mayor Candidates
What are your thoughts on accountability and transparency and Council decisions made behind closed doors?
Far too often it appears that decisions are taken 'in camera' because the Community Charter ALLOWS the topic to be taken behind closed doors, not because the discussion/decision HAS to be taken behind closed doors.
(The Community Charter is clear on which topics must be discussed in private and which may be discussed in private, leaving a lot of leeway for lack of transparency.)
Jimmy Johal Answered
I think far too many bad decisions end up being made behind closed doors, away from the public and media, especially when it comes to land deals. I understand that certain topics need to be kept confidential, but there's way too much leeway. For example, city council decided to purchase the land on Tranquille Road for supportive housing, borrowing funds to do so, and at that meeting also discussed selling other city-owned properties to pay back the loans. This is why they decided to turn the former Thrupp Manor site into 5 single-family lots, and this is also why they're selling the Raleigh properties now. Why did we go to a public hearing on the Thrupp Manor site without this being disclosed? I've can give a lot more examples.
Dick Stewart asks the City Councillor, Mayor, School Trustee Candidates
What was their previous Job ? or employment ?
Jimmy Johal Answered
Accountant, Licensed Builder, and Building Maintenance Company owner. I have a wonderful group of people working with me. Previously, I was the regional manager of 11 retail stores across the Interior with a staff of over 150.