Clugston stands by call to boycott Quebec conference
By COLLIN GALLANT on June 1, 2019.
cgallant@medicinehatnews.com@CollinGallant Medicine Hat’s mayor says he has no regrets about missing out on a national cities conference on now in Quebec City, and says his objection to that province’s position on resource development stands. Ted Clugston did however, attempt to tone down some language attributed to him this week in the Quebec media reports. “I’m even more steadfast,” he told the News on Friday as the conference was entering its first full day. “My social media has been overwhelmingly positive.” Medicine Hat council made headlines last month by opting to boycott the conference of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities to support the energy industries goal of exporting more petroleum. A media report Friday from a television broadcaster quoted Clugston as saying that Quebec provincial politicians were “poorly informed, misaligned and ignorant” about the issue. Clugston told the News later in the day that he feels the Quebec provincial stance is not good for the Canadian economy, but said the words were likely mistranslated. “I didn’t use the word ignorant,” said Clugston, adding that the comments likely come from an interview he did earlier in the week with French media outlets. “I did say that they need to educate themselves and that (could) translate to ignorant.” Following the results of the Alberta Provincial election in mid April, incoming premier Jason Kenney and Quebec Premier Francois Legault sparred over the prospect of permitting new export pipelines. Medicine Hat council’s decision has been criticized as counterproductive by other city leaders in Alberta, including Calgary Mayor Naheed Nenshi. Calgary, Fort McMurray and other cities that depend heavily on oil and gas industry are attending, along with about 500 elected officials from Alberta. About 2,000 delegates are attending the four-day conference in Quebec’s capital city. Brooks Mayor Barry Morishita,(the president of the Alberta Urban Municipalities Association), and Al Kemmere (head of the Alberta Rural Municipalities Association), both promoted the conference as an opportunity to change minds. Cypress County Coun. Robin Kurpjuweit is also attending and is seeking election to the FCM board. “I hope they can make some inroads dealing with municipal politicians in one-on-one conversations,” he said. “I’m sure though that we may may have angered some or made them emotionally involved. Maybe that will get conversations going or add some light to it.” “We’ve been pretty honest that it might not have been the best choice (not to attend), but time will tell.” 18-17
