Noteworthy: Trivial maybe, but an important victory nonetheless

By Collin Gallant on February 22, 2025.

As someone who’s covered a lot of hockey and a lot of politics over the years, it’s been interesting to see them intersect this week.

Canada’s big Four Nation’s win on Thursday doesn’t really settle anything on the political front, of course, but can you imagine how demoralizing a loss would have been?

A win however, likely worsened Canada’s economic productivity crisis… on Friday morning at least.

From the game however, comes a potential path forward for the current tension between the United States and Canada.

The correct response here for politicians is probably pretty close to a cliche-filled locker room interviews with hockey players: “That was a great win for us, and full credit the other team. I can’t wait for to see men’s hockey back in the Olympics!”

Smart hockey players won’t hand an opponent any extra motivation.

Hockey culture has the sort of camaraderie where two guys can knock each other’s teeth in, then hoist a couple cold ones when the dust settles.

Maybe that ship has sailed in the Canada-U.S. relationship, and Canadians may be tired of our role as a good sport.

But – Thursday shows – Canadians can face heaps of adversity, put our heads down and still win.

Do we have to choose between either being a sore loser or overbearing in victory. That’s just not us, is it?

Power play

The seismic shifts happening in the Alberta power market are nothing short of remarkable, and that’s the backdrop against which the city is now contemplating spending $100 million to start Saamis Solar park construction (see a related story in this edition).

It’s been slow played this fall by energy division and elected officials, much to the aggravation of opponents who call foul.

One reasonable explanation is that the future of the entire power market is pretty far out of focus.

Complicating the picture, the News has also learned the division is analyzing the costs and benefits of importing more power from the Alberta grid.

That’s a complete reversal of standard procedure and standing philosophy, but could be financially advantageous in the current rock-bottom pricing environment for power on the Alberta grid.

Also, a provincial market review is underway and among the more extreme proposals is to force a glut of renewable energy to sink into negative territory at times.

That’s right, get paid to use power, and use the difference to cover any added grid tariffs out of the difference.

Avoiding those transmission fees is promoted as the great benefit of an independent city-run utility, but even new rules for them are being rewritten and potentially due out this spring.

New pricing regulations however, are a longer term issue and potentially a year or more away.

Quick ones

– Local doctor Debakant Jena has a piece published in the Washington-based political journal “The Hill” regarding the Canadian-U.S. tariff issues from the perspective of an immigrant. It’s on the web and worth a read.

– Martin Shields is soon-to-retire as MP for the next riding over in Bow River, and though no one at Conservative headquarters will confirm, the race is apparently on to find a new candidate with elections on the horizon. Nominations could close Feb. 25, according to the Brooks Bulletin, though there’s nothing official and the national party hasn’t returned phone calls.

– We just heard about it, but, until the end of February buying a select burger at Rosewood Cafe on N. Railway Street, or Wayback Burgers, will result in a donation to food banks in Canada. It’s part of the Alberta Beef Producers promotion “Beef It Forward.”

A look ahead

The Alberta Legislature resumes sitting this week with a budget expected Thursday. We’ll hear more next week about a high-level committee, including city, provincial and federal representatives, set to tackle public safety, addictions and homeless issues facing the Hat.

Also, the Stampede is set to announce its night show lineup on Tuesday.

100 years ago

The Medicine Hat Monarchs would face Blairmore in a two-game total goals series to determine the south qualifier for the provincial championship amateur hockey series, the News reported in late February 1925.

A ticket to Saturday night’s game would also allow fans to pleasure skate until midnight at the community to the music of an orchestra.

A divorce bill before the Commons would nationalize legal requirements of both male and female applicants in such cases. As it was, women west of Ontario needed to prove adultery along with desertion or cruelty when seeking divorce, while western men need only prove unfaithfulness.

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.