Kamloops officials continue to say there is no evidence supporting claims circulating on social media that people experiencing homelessness are being relocated from Vancouver to Interior communities ahead of the FIFA World Cup, even as those narratives continue to circulate widely online.

The FIFA World Cup runs June 11 to July 19, with seven matches scheduled to be played in Vancouver. The tournament has been repeatedly referenced in social media posts suggesting possible movement of unhoused individuals between communities, though city officials say no data supports that claim.

The issue was discussed during the June 2nd Committee of the Whole meeting, where council reviewed Safety and Security Select Committee minutes dealing with neighbourhood safety strategies, shelter-area pressures, and the city’s homelessness response system.

Officials acknowledged that concerns being raised publicly — including through social media videos and anecdotal accounts from other B.C. communities — have been flagged for review, but say there is no verified evidence of coordinated relocation into Kamloops.

Community and Culture Director Carmin Mazzotta told council the concern has been raised through provincial channels but has not been supported by any trend data.

“The question has been flagged, just as a precautionary measure, right through to Ministry of Housing staff,” Mazzotta said. “They have not heard or seen any evidence of that in terms of any trend line, showing anything substantive in any way at this point.”

RCMP Superintendent Jeff Pelley also told council there is no indication of organized movement into the community.

“We do see new faces that come and go from town,” Pelley said. “Whether it’s pertaining to that or not, we just don’t know at this time.”

Mayor Reid Hamer-Jackson raised concerns based on what he described as conversations with residents and people experiencing homelessness, though he also acknowledged the absence of verified evidence.

“I’ve talked to a lot of people on the streets,” he said. “And a lot of people want to go home.”

He also addressed broader claims circulating in the community about people arriving from other regions, while noting the lack of proof.

“I get a lot of people saying that,” the mayor said. “But I say, okay, what about facts, proof, evidence? Well, they don’t have any.”

The discussion reflected broader tensions in the meeting, as council reviewed existing homelessness response systems and debated how clearly the city is communicating current neighbourhood safety measures.

Councillor Stephen Karpuk said council is seeking clarity on what is already being done rather than new policy direction.

“What we want to know is what is our current neighbourhood safety strategies that we’re doing,” Karpuk said. “We have foot patrols, we have increased CSO, we have increased outreach from Ask Wellness… we have a community situation table.”

Councillor Dale Bass pointed to previous staff reporting that already outlined a wide range of programs and partnerships.

“You told us all this already, all the strategies,” Bass said. “So what would flow from that since we have the strategies?”

City staff acknowledged the system spans multiple agencies and service providers and said a simplified summary of existing measures could be prepared for council and the public.

“There’s a lot going into it,” staff said. “We’ll shorten it, condense it, put it into something that’s a little bit more of a cheat sheet.”

Staff reiterated there is no confirmed data linking FIFA preparations in Vancouver to any movement of unhoused individuals into Kamloops.

“We have not received any confirmation with respect to what is being posted online,” Social, Housing, and Community Development Manager Natasha Hartson said. “It’s very difficult to get those confirmations, but we are asking those questions.”

Council ultimately directed staff to return with a clearer, consolidated summary of neighbourhood safety strategies, particularly those related to shelter areas, while continuing to monitor homelessness data and coordinate with provincial partners.

Officials say further updates are expected to return to council in the coming months.