City Notebook: Hot weather, hot topics and a nation looking forward while facing its past

By Medicine Hat News Opinion on June 26, 2021.

cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant

A heat wave, a suddenly passionate discussion about national identity and the rip-roaring end to pandemic health restrictions should make for an interesting week to come.

Temperatures in the 40C range are expected next Thursday, right about the time we’re trying to figure out how to celebrate Canada Day and navigate crowds after 16 months on edge.

Meanwhile, the issue of residential schools is dominating the national conversation right now.

With the spectre of more discoveries at graveyards long thought forgotten, it will only get bigger.

And it will get louder, if seemingly every other conversation on whatever issue we have in life today is any indication.

Regular folks are probably figuring out if, or why they have a place in the conversation.

Mayor Ted Clugston, speaking on Monday before another massive graveyard was discovered near Regina on Wednesday, said Canada Day should proceed here, and that cities like Victoria were wrong for shutting down festivities.

“The last thing we need is people saying, ‘you’re cancelling my Canada!” he told reporters.

As undiplomatic as the mayor may be, he’s not wrong. That’s what people would say.

And that’s not helped by a host of commentators that aim to win points and arguments rather that find resolution.

Some corners are calling it Canada’s holocaust. Others keep trotting out the ridiculous, indefensible and increasingly unethical stance that Indian schools “weren’t so bad” or had their good points.

But as someone who believes in Canada, I believe everyday Canadians can be unified on this issue.

Let’s start by agreeing this is sad. This is not the way it should have been.

Let’s agree that a full disclosure is required. It may confirm uncomfortable truths, but facts can also diffuse our worst fears.

Canadians have seen themselves as empathetic, ready to help, problem solvers, and community builders for a century and a half. Has that changed?

If you are still not convinced, ask yourself a question.

If you didn’t know anything about your grandparents – their struggles and perseverance, their culture, the values and traditions they passed on – where would you be in life? What decisions would you have made differently? What sort of person would you be?

Be honest.

Now, let’s all have an honest conversation.

This and that

Fans of spit-balled plans to diversify the provincial economy will be interested to hear the “Alberta 2 Alaska Rail” project has likely collapsed, as its main backer and promoter is being investigated for fraud in Ontario. Who thought building a railway the breadth of the Yukon territory would be a breeze?

More municipal election candidates are cropping up, just as Medicine Hat politics is about to enter its traditional summer slumber. Traditionally major campaigning wakes up a week or so before Labour day.

A look ahead

Canada Day is proceeding in Medicine Hat with the addition announced Friday of a First Nations presentation in the afternoon at the Kinplex Arena.

100 years ago

Acadia Valley-area farmer Robert Gardiner ran up a huge majority to become the Member of Parliament for Medicine Hat, the News reported on June 28, 1921.

“Medicine Hat has spoken for Western Canada, and the government and all its works have been rejected in no uncertain terms,” said progressive movement leader Thomas Crerar of the byelection result in a dispatch from Winnipeg.

The Toronto Globe called the result “the voice of doom for the Meighen government.”

Gardiner, the United Farmers candidate supported by labour unions and Crerar’s network of disaffected old party supporters, collected 80% of the votes over Conservative candidate Nelson Spencer. He filled the seat left by the death of Wartime and Unionist Government cabinet minister A.F. Sifton.

“The people have made a choice of policy not dictated to them, but dictated by them,” Gardiner said at an election night party. Bagpipers led an impromptu parade to Riverside Park, and on the shoulders of two supporters, Gardiner was carried to and from the U.F.A. Committee Rooms.

Film star Mary Pickford’s divorce and payment of $100,000 to a former husband was upheld by a Nevada court, thereby validating her current marriage to Douglas Fairbanks.

Lt. Gov. R.G. Brett opened the Medicine Hat Exhibition with a large cattle show ahead of a bucking contest, auto races and a “Made in Medicine Hat” pavilion from local manufacturers.

Local lawyer L.N. Laidlaw’s name appeared on new King’s Counsel list.

Collin Gallant covers city politics and a variety of topics for the News. Reach him at 403-528-5664 or via email at cgallant@medicinehatnews.com