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?
Ultimately, I am for projects that will bring revenue to Medicine Hat. As you might have heard me mention in the Chamber forum last week, the Saamis Solar project is definitely a divisive topic. One big issue is trust. The last big solar project the city invested in cost about $13 million and was shut down after just five years because it didn’t produce enough power to make it worthwhile. Given what happened before, it’s totally understandable that people are cautious about using taxpayer money for another solar project. The Saamis Solar project could cost over $100 million for the first phase alone. If independent experts confirm it’s a good investment, then it would be worth moving forward. But we need to be really clear about how much it will cost, what the long-term benefits are, and the risks involved.
2. What are your thoughts on the future of the energy division, specifically the concept of turning it into a municipally controlled corporation?
Before we can get to whether or not this is a good idea, we need to be really clear about what we’re talking about. Voters are very reluctant to “sell” our utilities, and I agree with the current council’s vote to maintain the status quo for now. To be clear, the idea of moving to a Municipally Controlled Corporation (MCC) would mean that the utility would still be 100% owned by the City of Medicine Hat, but managed at arm’s length by a board of experts in the energy industry. This could make the utility more competitive and responsive in a fast-changing market. But there are risks, and there are significant costs involved in moving to an MCC. Right now, I don’t see the data that shows added independence would deliver enough value to justify the price tag.
3. How would you look to balance taxation with the operation costs of running a city, as well as the services provided to residents?
As Council, we need to carefully review the value we’re getting from our taxes and services. That means finding efficiencies and eliminating waste. We do this not by cutting essential services, but by making sure we’re operating as efficiently as possible. I care deeply about families, youth, and all our citizens, and I’m committed to protecting the services they rely on while also being mindful of the financial responsibility we have to taxpayers and local businesses. Meaningful public consultation is key to understanding what the community needs versus what’s nice to have but not essential.
4. How would you approach economic development and any need to incentivize business to come to Medicine Hat?
I am actively working with local business leaders and investors to understand what’s holding investment into Medicine Hat back. The most common feedback I hear is, “Medicine Hat is impossible to work with”. I recognize that this is anecdotal data at this point, but it’s a reputation we can’t afford to carry any longer. A few key ways to target economic development and incentivize businesses include:
Competitive tax rates
Predictable permitting timelines
Lower utility fees and off-site levies
A city hall that feels like a partner and not a roadblock
In order to do this, we need to identify savings and efficiencies within City operations. We can’t just lower fees for businesses and pass the burden onto residents. I also believe we can do a much better job actively recruiting businesses. My first job out of university was as a professional recruiter in the oil and gas sector. We didn’t wait for the right candidates to show up. We went out and found them.
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 shelter location has to work for the people who are using it as well as those in the community surrounding it. The shelter itself needs to be in an accessible location for its users, but we have to recognize the impact that a shelter location can have on home and business owners nearby. People want to feel safe and know that their property is secure. We need to allow the community to have a voice when it comes to evaluating the pros and cons of a potential shelter site. We also need to recognize that winter is coming soon and there are people who rely on this service to stay alive.
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?
Even though Medicine Hat has some of the lowest rental rates in Canada (according to a recent report in rentals.ca), people are still struggling. That tells me the problem isn’t just the cost of housing. It’s also about jobs, fixed incomes, and the fact that too many people are already stretched thin.
Even if you rent, you’re still paying property taxes in a way. Landlords pass those costs down, and for people with tighter budgets, every increase hurts more. That’s why I believe the city has to be disciplined with its spending. We don’t need to build massive new projects if it means pushing everyone’s costs up. Another piece is how we tax rental housing. In Medicine Hat, bigger apartment buildings have been taxed at a higher rate than single-family homes. Other cities have already changed this, and although the gap has shrunk in recent years, we still have room to improve. We also need to focus on building the right kind of housing. Our housing strategy shows the biggest need is for smaller, more affordable rental units. That’s where the demand is, and that’s where we should be encouraging growth.
At the end of the day, affordability has to mean everyone. Homeowners, renters, and people on fixed incomes all deserve to feel like they can live and build their lives here without constantly worrying about making ends meet.
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?
The conversations I’ve had around facilities like these aren’t about whether people would enjoy them, but whether the city can afford them. I know families who travel to Lethbridge in the summer to visit Henderson Pool, and I still hear Hatters reminiscing about the old Riverside Waterslide. There’s clearly a desire for more family-friendly recreation in Medicine Hat.
Investing in youth and families is important, but we have to weigh that against financial reality. If a project increases the burden on taxpayers beyond what people are prepared to support, we need to take a step back. It’s about finding the right balance between community value and affordability.
