News profile1. What are your thoughts on city ownership of Saamis Solar, and what direction would you want to see council take with ownership of renewables?
I am not against renewables, but I believe the Saamis Solar project is too large and too costly for where technology currently stands. Medicine Hat has a habit of overspending on projects that aren’t ready to deliver real value, and this is another example. Solar does have a role in our future, but it should be pursued in practical, proven ways—such as incentivizing businesses to install rooftop panels to offset their operating costs. That’s a smarter investment than putting vast sums into uncertain mega-projects.
2. What are your thoughts on the future of the energy division, specifically the concept of turning it into a municipally controlled corporation?
Turning the energy division into a Municipal Controlled Corporation was a bad idea and should remain off the table. Our energy division still has enormous potential. Yes, infrastructure needs upgrades, but that’s true for any utility. Instead of talking about selling it or passing it off to an MCC, council should focus on how to make it profitable and successful again. We have unique opportunities to expand, and what we need are the right decisions to unlock that potential.
3. How would you look to balance taxation with the operation costs of running a city, as well as the services provided to residents?
Medicine Hat doesn’t have a taxation problem—it has a spending problem. Too much money is going toward projects that don’t reflect the priorities of our residents. If we can rein in spending and practice fiscal responsibility, we can cover operating costs while keeping taxes stable, and even look at lowering them over time. Taxation should be about running the city effectively, not chasing feel-good projects.
4. How would you approach economic development and any need to incentivize business to come to Medicine Hat?5.With the proposed north-side location for a permanent homeless shelter off the table, what do you think are the essential priorities a shelter location must provide?
With the north side location now off the table, there’s been talk of new sites, including the old Flamingo. Wherever it ends up, the priorities remain the same: the shelter must be run properly, with enough resources provided by the city to meet the Mustard Seed’s needs—not dictated from the top down. Residents and businesses in the area should feel safe and supported, with vagrancy laws enforced so that the shelter integrates into the community quietly, as you see in other cities. A well-run shelter should provide dignity for its users and peace of mind for its neighbors.
6. A lot of focus during this election has been on property taxes, but many residents don’t own property. How can the city ease cost-of-living pressures for renters?
While much of the focus has been on property taxes, the truth is that renters end up shouldering those costs. When property taxes go up, landlords simply pass the increases on to tenants—often with a little extra on top. Utilities are another major factor. Where utilities were once commonly included in rent, uncertainty in Medicine Hat’s utility rates has made that unsustainable, and those costs are now directly pushed onto renters. One month can be $200, the next $500, and that unpredictability makes it impossible to budget. The City must get its utility spending and pricing under control, because every time costs rise, renters are the ones who feel it most.
7.What are your thoughts on proposed recreational facilities like the Southside Outdoor Aquatics Centre and Brier Run Sports Field?
Large, centralized recreation complexes may look attractive on paper, but they often take away from the sense of community. When you build a massive aquatic centre or cluster dozens of soccer fields in one spot, it forces everyone to gravitate there, instead of supporting activity throughout the city. It’s ironic that the same “Strong Town” ideology pushing walkability and biking also supports mega-facilities that require people to drive across town. I believe smaller, local community centres and recreation spaces spread across the city would serve residents better. They’re more accessible, keep costs in check, and ensure every neighborhood can enjoy recreation without the burden of another large, expensive project.
