MLA Report: Provincial government has given unprecedented attention to Medicine Hat

By Medicine Hat News Opinon on July 27, 2018.

A number of constituents have approached me in the last week regarding a social media posting they saw as an attack against me specifically because of my age and seniors in general.

I’ll let constituents make what they will of the comment from what’s billed as an account of the Leader of the Official Opposition.

But as a senior myself, I don’t believe limitations should be placed on those whose experience can add value to any organization and especially to politics.

As the father of four daughters whom I encouraged to never let their gender be a limitation to their goals, I can say emphatically that I believe women have an important role in all professions, especially politics.

As the grandfather of 11, I care deeply for issues which affect youth and young adults and encourage these Albertans at every opportunity to get involved in their community.

And as Speaker, I couldn’t be prouder than to preside over one of the youngest Legislatures, to be elected alongside more women MLAs than ever in Alberta, a cabinet made up of a balance of genders and a female premier.

I’ve had the pleasure to host these ministers in Medicine Hat — mostly recently Premier Rachel Notley and Deputy Premier Sarah Hoffman — this week.

Which brings me to a point that should be reiterated to those who say southeastern Alberta is the forgotten corner of this province.

I don’t believe there has ever been as many ministerial visits to Medicine Hat as under this current administration.

There have been dozens since 2015.

The province is also funding numerous — if not all — of this city’s infrastructure projects.

Just last week, nearly $7.5 million in infrastructure funding was provided to the city from the provincial government.

One would be hard pressed to see a project in this city whether it is a road rehabilitation, sewer upgrade or municipal building improvement that isn’t either wholly or partially funded through the province’s Municipal Sustainability Initiative.

The new Fire Hall No. 1 is being funded through MSI as was the relocation of Fire Hall No. 2.

Under this government, a new public school was built on the north end of the city while a new Catholic school is nearing completion in the south end. And two of the city’s three high schools and the lone county one have seen modernization projects started or completed since 2015.

We are also seeing new private sector investment beginning to bloom in our city. That’s in addition to the continued support being provided to agri-businesses in and around the Hat.

And in no other province in Canada will individuals pay less in provincial tax.

These are facts critics of the government cannot deny.

I may be older but surely age, experience, judgment and getting results has not now become a detriment to leadership.

In my 46 years of living in and working for this city, I don’t recall this city having received as much attention and investment from the provincial government as it does now.

Bob Wanner is MLA (NDP) for Medicine Hat constituency.

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