City Notebook: Dog days interrupted by power struggle

By COLLIN GALLANT on September 2, 2023.

cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant

Late August is typically the land that time forgot.

Golf balls drifting through the air, new shoes for school, Halloween candy on the shelves.

But the stockpile of breezy items set aside for this column ahead of the boring end of summer season has gone unused.

Instead it’s bills, bills, bills.

That’s as Hatters who were most likely already irked at new contract options are now seething as bills follow prices across the province off the charts.

Instead of watering brown grass, everyone is now scrambling to read the Alberta Electricity Act.

We don’t mind saying that keeping up with goings on at the power plant and the greater Alberta power system is a full-time job. Your author has written reams on the topic over the last 13 years.

Controversies seem to come and go as bills rise and fall. But, the whole scene today seems much more explosive.

People can’t be faulted for being confused by an extremely complex system that brings power to your home – physically, legally and financially, utilities are vastly complex.

That’s the point some people are making: they want one price, and proof they’re not getting soaked. Period.

A majority of councillors who have voted twice this term to delay rate reviews will discuss the whole ball of issues on Tuesday. They’re to be met by protesters who vow to have their point made.

And, this has all the earmarks of an issue that is increasingly on the radar of the provincial government.

Half the attendees of this week’s raucous protest meeting believe they have the direct ear of Premier Danielle Smith who’s hardly shy in spit-balling fixes for the power system.

The MLA for Brooks-Medicine Hat has already ordered a review of the province-wide regulated rate option billing, among other facets of the power market, all back dropped by an argument with Ottawa.

Finding a solution that works in the short and long term is critical for the city and its citizens.

It’s an explosive situation.

To resolve it will require some measure of humility from city hall, some ingenuity from administrators, some leadership from elected officials and even some patience from ratepayers.

September

It’s back to school for the remainder of Medicine Hat’s school-aged kids Tuesday, and the next month is filling up.

Of course, Friday was “Alberta Day,” with Sept. 1 as the province’s birthday now publicized by the government caucus. Most Albertans still consider it Labour Day weekend.

That is also synonymous with football. Does Edmonton still have a team?

The WHL preseason begins Tuesday if you can believe it, and the Tigers are at home Saturday.

As well, the trial of Hatter and Freedom Convoy leader Tamara Lich in Ottawa opens next week.

Further ahead, the House of Commons resumes sitting Sept. 18. The next Alberta legislative session begins Oct. 30.

Locally, the rumour is that a long-awaited announcement about the Monarch Theatre’s operator is expected this month.

A look ahead

All eyes are on city council Tuesday and an emergent debate on offering expanded utility relief. As well, a report on the physical state of the city’s transportation network is on the agenda.

100 years ago

After lacrosse matches, a baby show, a wives’ nail-driving contest and general athletics meet, another big Labour Day sports program ended with a dance at the roller rink, the News reported Sept. 4, 1923.

Hatter Ray MacEachern was named the all-around champion at the track meet.

The CPR entry took the open tug-of-war over the city police and a squad of veterans. The men’s sack race champion was local boxing coach Billy Lauder, and a 75-yard dash for “married ladies” was won by Mrs. Goodfellow.

A first in conference calls, Manitoba Premier John Bracken and Alberta Telephones Minister V.W. Smith discussed crop prospects and wheat pool creation while each were in their respective capitals.

“Over 960 miles of wires, their voices were heard distinctly,” according to in-room reporters on either end. “It was the longest all-Canadian telephone route so far established.”

Benjamin Bradley, one of the first Europeans to set up a homestead in Medicine Hat in 1886, had died in Winnipeg.

A drive to create a wheat pool in the province announced that farmers in control of 45 per cent of acres in the province had signed up.

The national deficit was coming under control with only $49 million expected added to the national debt in 1923. Overspending peaked at $674 million in 1920 during the demobilization program.

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