Opinions
From the Editor: ‘What does this city want?’
By Scott Schmidt on November 15th, 2025
As the News continues to learn more about the processes behind the recent municipal election, a former councillor raised an important question this week. From long lineups and registration confusion, to the days-long counting process and still-unexplained 30-hour results gap, it was obvious election officials took the budget into deep consideration. Acting city manager Tarolyn ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Let’s Chat: The challenges of scooting in Medicine Hat
By Linda Tooth on November 12th, 2025
Have you ever been reliant on someone or something to open a door, drive you somewhere, or even help you with simple bathroom tasks like having a shower, brushing your teeth or even using the toilet? If you have not, trust me when I tell you it is a very humbling experience for anyone at ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Noteworthy: Is Poilievre losing his grip on the Conservative Party of Canada?
By Bruce Penton on November 12th, 2025
Can Pierre Poilievre gather enough support at January’s leadership review to remain the Conservative Party of Canada boss? Normally, such reviews require a leader to get about 67 per cent support from delegates, but Poilievre could have trouble reaching that threshold after recent events. Late last winter, Poilievre had the CPC in perfect position to ... Read More »
2 responsesLet’s Chat: Lessons from cats – Part 2
By Linda Tooth on November 5th, 2025
As you might recall, I wrote last week on the first six chapters of Stewart “Brittlestar” Reynold’s book Lessons from Cats for Surviving Fascism. Today I would like to share with you the remaining five chapters. Chapter seven is all about using your cuteness as an advantage. The chapter starts off by telling the reader ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Noteworthy: Should we stay or should we go? 450K Albertans have given their answer
By Bruce Penton on November 5th, 2025
Thomas Lukaszuk’s ‘Alberta Forever Campaign’ has been ultra successful and it looks like any referendum that Alberta voters might face will have his movement’s question on the ballot. “Do you agree that Alberta should remain in Canada?” was the question that drew the Lukaszuk-led petition to garner more than 450,000 signatures from Albertans this summer ... Read More »
1 responseFrom the Editor: Notwithstanding clause for labour dispute? Not very strong, not very free
By Scott Schmidt on November 1st, 2025
“Mr. Speaker, the democratic process matters. We are elected by Albertans to come to this assembly to make sure everything that comes out of it is debated, vetted, tweaked, adjusted and voted on to represent our constituents’ views. That is how this is supposed to work. But the arrogance of this government is astounding. Bills ... Read More »
1 responseLet’s Chat: Lessons from cats – Part 1
By Linda Tooth on October 29th, 2025
Have you heard of Stewart “Brittlestar” Reynolds? I had not until I went to River Bee Bookstore located in downtown Medicine Hat. You ask what is so special about Reynolds? Well, he wrote a book called Lessons from Cats for Surviving Fascism and with all that is going on in this world today I felt ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!MP Report: Federal budget ‘smoke and mirrors’
By Glen Motz on October 29th, 2025
On Nov. 4, after 19 months, the Liberal government will finally table its 2025-2026 budget. However, unlike all of Canada’s previous budgets, Prime Minister Carney intends to split this budget into separate ‘operating’ and capital’ budgets. While that may sound reasonable on the surface, it is sure to create confusion and uncertainty as to Canada’s ... Read More »
2 responsesNoteworthy: Electoral rule changes were said to promise more accuracy; all they did was muddy and delay the process
By Bruce Penton on October 29th, 2025
If Danielle Smith’s provincial government wanted to devise a way to make it more difficult for citizens to vote – and perhaps throw up their hands and walk away without casting a ballot – the decision to ban electronic voting machines was perfect. Banning electronic voting didn’t create the long, snail-like lineups, but the new ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!Economics 101: The trend is your friend
By Eric Van Enk on October 25th, 2025
This week’s chart shows the return of the S&P 500 following the U.S. Federal Reserve’s first interest rate cut over ten interest rate cycles since 1974. Notice there are only two observations (2001 & 2007) where the S&P 500 was lower two years after the Federal Reserve’s decision to begin cutting interest rates. For the ... Read More »
Be the first to comment!From the Editor: Well, that was just terrible
By Scott Schmidt on October 25th, 2025
And just like that, another municipal election cruises by in the blink of an eye. Just kidding. If you ever find you have four days to live, ask to hold another hand-counted election in Medicine Hat, because every hour since Monday felt like an eternity. After what must be the longest period from ballot to ... Read More »
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