City Notebook: Maybe we’re stuck with this topic forever

By Collin Gallant on April 12, 2025.

Just when you thought it was safe to wade back to municipal politics, a move by the province to eliminate codes of conduct has stirred the waters of local controversy.

In Medicine Hat the code is at the centre of a dispute that thrust larger issues with the working relationship on council into the spotlight.

Its demise at the hands of Alberta Municipal Affairs will leave Hatters wondering, perhaps once again, just what exactly the last 18 months have been about.

They’ve watched tensions at council ebb and flow recently, but there’s been positive signs that time was marching on of late.

Minister Ric McIver eventually gave into reporters at a press conference Tuesday to say the Hat is a good example where the code might be causing more harm than good.

It will be scrapped in favour of a ministry looking at bringing in a provincial integrity commissioner for municipalities and probably taking over handling disputes between council members in towns, cities and counties across the province.

It’s not known how the future protocol would have prevented past problems in Medicine Hat.

Everyone here says there’s more than meets the eye in the showdown between mayor and the rest of council. Both sides say they’ve been open to resolution, putting the job first, etc.

But there’s strong indications trouble began well before Clark’s now famous exchange with the city manager resulting in some eyebrow-raising sanctions. A judicial review voided most of them, but not before the province “stepped in” – as many Hatters demanded of the drama.

McIver and top staff arrived in town during Stampede week for a sit-down with all elected officials before the August hearing.

Sure, that might have been just a chit-chat and general discussion of ministry resources, like an audit, workshops, some dispute resolution, etc. But it was supposed to chaired by Premier Danielle Smith, who was called away deal with Jasper wildfire emergency. It’s hard to believe her role was to hand out pamphlets on behalf of Municipal Affairs.

And, while McIver did outline Medicine Hat’s issues this week, I’m not sold he really wanted to.

When the province wants to drop a ton of bricks on a municipality, they do. Just think the greenline in Calgary, or even the local shelter issue.

I guess Hatters are left waiting for a Municipal Affairs audit of city procedures to learn more.

Good press

A report by CBC’s The National this week from Medicine Hat labelled the city a “Blueprint of economic resilience,” which is maybe a bit further than many Hatters would go in describing local opportunity. Still, imagine what might be possible if a majority of Hatters felt the same way or actively pushed to make it so.

CBC is back this week for a taping of the “West of Centre” podcast including guests former MLA Michaela Frey, former Brooks Mayor Barry Morishita and city energy head Rochelle Pancoast.

Speaking of the economy

The Eastern Alberta Trade Corridor has announced its Local to Global Forum on trade will return to the Hat for a three-day event April 23-25. Keynote topics include value-added Ag and electrification among others. The event was held in the Hat in 2016 and 2019.

Ballot

There will be no People’s Party candidate in Medicine Hat-Cardston-Warner after party hopeful Jordan Harris failed to secure enough signatures by Monday’s deadline, he told the News. That leaves four vying for the seat – New Democrat Jocelyn Johnson, Conservative Glen Motz, Liberal Tom Rooke and Green Party candidate Andy Shadrack.

A look ahead

Proposals to fund electrical upgrades at residences will be discussed at this week’s meeting of council’s development and infrastructure meeting.

Advance voting in the federal election begins next Friday and extends through Easter Monday.

100 years ago

Unified rules for hockey were being hammered out at meetings of the professional and amateur associations in Montreal, the News reported in April 1924.

Rink size and its division into three zones were discussed. More contested were rules allowing only the goaltender and defencemen below their own blue line. Suggestions that the centre should be more free to roam would enliven the game.

Liquor stores in Saskatchewan were packed on the first day the provincially run retail locations opened, according to local reports from Regina.

Local health inspectors would strictly enforce bylaws requiring all homes and businesses to employ garbage carts and vessels with tight fitting lids.

Mine strikes in Cape Breton continued as Alberta coal promoters continued to call for a national strategy to take western coal east.

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