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?
City ownership of Saamis Solar Park should carefully balance environmental progress with fiscal responsibility. Major investments must be thoroughly vetted to protect taxpayers and utility rates. Council should prioritize risk assessment, phased investments, reliable energy, and community consultation to ensure sustainability and Medicine Hat’s best interests.
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 municipally controlled corporation (MCC) has both potential benefits and risks. While it could offer more flexibility and independence, it may reduce council (public) oversight and accountability. An MCC can work if it adds clear value and ensures strong safeguards, such as resident input, audits, and transparency. Without clear benefits, I prefer public control (council oversight).
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 has solid foundations in infrastructure and fiscal management but can benefit from a comprehensive economic development strategy (there is some great work on the rise), a stronger focus on growing and diversifying its tax base, improved business support services, and expanded public engagement on taxation priorities. These steps could better balance taxation, costs, and service levels to support long-term city growth and sustainability.
4. How would you approach economic development and any need to incentivize business to come to Medicine Hat?
My approach rests on three pillars:
Make Medicine Hat Investment-Ready Clean up industrial lots, ensure utility access, and speed approvals. Promote our utility, affordable land, and location.
Support Local Scale-Up and Entrepreneurship Reduce red tape, simplify permits, and support local firms with microgrants or navigation help. Foster regional supply chain growth.
Attract Targeted Business Sectors Focus on sustainable energy to attract/retain industry, agri-processing, tech, and value-added manufacturing. Use targeted incentives to create clear public benefits.
These steps will help grow a broad-based local economy.
5. With the proposed north-side location for a permanent homeless shelter off the table following public concerns, what do you think are the essential priorities that a shelter location must provide?
A permanent shelter must do more than offer beds. It should be part of a coordinated housing and wellness strategy. For location, I believe three priorities are essential:
Proximity to services: Access to wraparound supports like mental health, addiction treatment, job counseling, and housing navigation.
Safety and integration: A location that lets clients access services without being isolated or stigmatized, while also respecting the needs and concerns of surrounding neighborhoods.
Long-term vision: We need to stop seeing shelters as the only solution. Transitional housing, permanent supportive housing, and community-based outreach must work together.
We also need transparent community consultation, not after decisions are made but early in the process. We must recognize that homelessness is not a north-side or south-side issue; it is a community issue.
6. A lot of focus during this election campaign has been on property taxes in Medicine Hat, though a majority of residents do not own property. What can or should the city be doing to ease cost-of-living issues for those who do not own property, such as renters?
When we only talk about property taxes, we miss a big part of the population. Renters feel cost pressures too, especially as housing prices rise. Here is what I would support:
Incentives for affordable rental development, including fast-tracked permits for multi-family units that stay within affordable thresholds.
Transit affordability and access: Investing in public transportation helps renters and low-income residents reach work, services, and education.
Advocate for rent bank programs and work with provincial agencies to support tenant stability.
We need equity-focused policies that acknowledge Medicine Hat’s changing demographics and affordability pressures, especially for young people, newcomers, and seniors on fixed incomes.
7. What are your thoughts on proposed recreational facilities such as the Southside Outdoor Aquatics Centre and Brier Run Sports Field? How much focus would you want the city to put toward adding recreational facilities?
As someone involved in coaching youth sports and juggles family engagement, I understand the long-term social and economic value of recreation. These facilities:
Improve community wellness and mental health.
Attract new families and talent.
Support local tourism and event hosting (e.g., sports tournaments)
That said, I’d want to see:
A clear business case and lifecycle cost analysis before moving forward
Regional partnerships to offset costs
A plan for ongoing operations, not just construction
We cannot afford to underinvest in the future, but we also cannot afford to invest without clarity. It is about balancing bold vision with financial responsibility.
