Council candidate Troy Wason has already spent several months talking to Hatters about what they look for in their city council, and he plans to bring an optimistic approach to city growth and its future--Submitted Photo
asmith@medicinehatnews.com
Troy Wason hopes to bring to council both a deep respect for the history of the city and an optimistic vision for the future.
While Wason is relatively new to the city, living here for five years, he has already set down deep roots, getting involved with Cypress Club Preservation Society, the City of Medicine Hat’s Historical Resources Working Group and Historical Society of Medicine Hat & District, as well as volunteering with the 2026 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games as co-chair.
“I keep being that person who says that this is a great place to live. It’s affordable, it’s got great weather. It’s got, I mean, I’m selling my friends on, you know, longer golf seasons,” said Wason. “These are the things that have been here, that you won’t find in other places.”
With a long history in politics as the executive director for two major political parties in Alberta, Wason brings with him experience in the processes of government as well as experience in the information sector, making him skilled at taking in the various aspects of an issue before looking for the best solution.
When it comes to the city, he looks to build on what exists, but looks strongly toward what the future holds for the community.
“I’m an historian by academic training, and so I think you need to respect the past. This city has a great past, as far as you know, manufacturing and ranching and agriculture and business in general, it’s just really got a real sense of history,” said Wason.
“On the other hand, you also need growth. This city has so much potential as far as what it’s got, energy wise, what it’s got for the people. There’s so much small business and so much ‘solopreneur,’ as I call it; they are the kind of people who are willing to start their own bakeries and their own yoga studios and all these things.”
He hopes to be part of a council that makes the city more appealing to these people, as well as to attract investment from larger industries to help promote growth for the city. He aims to bring his experience to council, to foster the strong sense of community he already enjoys, and to balance supporting programs with fiscal responsibility.
As a small business and homeowner in Medicine Hat, he says he understands well what people who live here are working with, and believes strongly in making the best of what is already here and planning for the future.
“Anyone that says we’re not going to raise taxes, or we’re going to cut everything is not looking at the big picture. And the big picture is we need to sustain the growth, because if we stagnate, we die,” said Wason, continuing on to say he would look for a council that is consistently optimistic about what’s to come, instead of focusing on what has happened before.
As one of the first people to announce his candidacy, Wason has spent several months listening to the people of Medicine Hat about what matters to them most, something he intends to continue to do up until the election and beyond.
“I plan to be collaborative, not confrontational,” said Wason. “I’ve got to work with not only the mayor, fellow councillors, city staff, residences, businesses. I intend to be open to things, and take in all of the information before we look for a solution. Should I be elected, I’m going to sit down with eight other people plus administration, and we’re going to have hopefully a very fulsome conversation about what this is going to look like.”
More information will come as Wason continues to work hard to learn about the priorities of Medicine Hat’s residents, and he is eager to meet with people who want to contribute to that research in the days to come, and hopefully, continue to apply that work ethic to a term on council.
