City staff praised for resilience in municipal inspection report

By BRENDAN MILLER on July 24, 2025.

bmiller@medicinehatnews.com

Despite internal issues amongst Medicine Hat city councillors and the City’s manager that led to findings of irregular, improper and improvident governance at times, the same independent inspection found city staff were able to, “consistently deliver services and programs” to residents since the inspection was originally initiated in Sept. 2024.

During a public council meeting Monday, Gary Sandberg, assistant deputy minister of the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Ian McCormack, an independent municipal inspector, delivered three mistrial orders to members of council and the city after presenting the province’s investigation into ongoing dysfunction and fractured leadership amongst members of council, the mayor and city manager.

According to McCormack, municipal inspections serve as an opportunity to point out what’s going well within a municipality, along with pointing out areas for improvement.

“There are many aspects of the City of Medicine Hat, which it does well,” said McCormack. “Medicine Hat remains a city with dedicated public servants, consistently delivering the services and programs that people who live here require.”

McCormack said city staff tend to be focused on their expertise and are able to deliver a high level of service to its citizens, stating the city’s financial management is “strong” and historically is able to operate an effective utility system.

Medicine Hat also ranks high in public municipal engagement.

“Judging by the number of people who put their name forward for elected officer in this city in the last election, there is strong interest in public service and leadership,” said McCormack. “This city has very deep roots and a long history. All of this results in an elected staff management and volunteer cohort that’s committed and capable, and there is evident community pride.”

McCormack says the city’s positive attributes were evident early in the inspection process, which officially began last October and included approximately 25 interviews, document reviews, media coverage and public input.

“This comes forward early in the process and is shown through cooperation and the candidness and inspection interview process,” adds McCormack.

According to the ministry, Medicine Hat is the largest municipality by population that has undergone an independent inspection in the province that has been requested by a council.

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