Medicine Hat Minute: Issue 222

Medicine Hat Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Medicine Hat politics

📅 This Week In Medicine Hat: 📅

• There will be a meeting of City Council this afternoon at 3:45 pm. As usual, the meeting begins with a closed session. Away from public view, Council will discuss Strategy and Policy Development, a Collective Bargaining Update, an Investment Inquiry, and a Legal Update. At 6:30 pm, the meeting will open up to the public. On the agenda is a continuation of a previous discussion regarding the 68 recommendations from a provincial municipal inspection, which evaluated governance, administration, and operations. Of the recommendations, 53 relate to governance while 15 address administrative, financial, and operational matters.
  
  
• Council will consider a request to paint the crosswalk between City Hall and Riverside Veterans’ Memorial Park as a tribute to veterans. The proposal came from a local veteran, who asked for the crosswalk to be completed before Remembrance Day 2025. While the City currently lacks a policy on non-standard crosswalk markings, the Roads Bylaw allows the CAO to authorize such exceptions. Administration is recommending Council approve the tribute crosswalk and also direct staff to develop a broader policy on non-standard markings by early 2026. The estimated cost is $5,000 per installation, with similar annual maintenance costs. Other jurisdictions such as Edmonton and Whitehorse have adopted policies outlining design, cost, and approval processes for similar requests. Staff note that while such markings do not provide measurable traffic safety benefits, they hold symbolic and community value. Council will also weigh the potential precedent this decision could set for future requests.
  
  
• Also on the agenda is a presentation regarding urban hens. The presenter notes that multiple attempts have been made to allow urban hens, with advocates citing food security, sustainability, and rising grocery costs as key reasons. Despite growing support - including petitions - Council has repeatedly defeated proposals to allow the hens. Proponents argue hens provide eggs, fertilizer, compost, and educational opportunities, while concerns about noise, smell, and disease can be addressed through existing bylaws and best practices. A new proposal suggests simply redefining “livestock” in City bylaws to exclude hens but keep roosters prohibited, offering a low-cost, low-administration solution. Advocates note that over 20 Alberta municipalities, including Calgary, Edmonton, and Red Deer, already allow hens under regulated conditions. They argue Medicine Hat could follow this model without costly pilot projects or licensing schemes. If problems arose, further restrictions could be added later to address coop standards or flock sizes.
  
  
• Councillor Shila Sharps will bring forward a Notice of Motion to review the Whistleblower Policy in order to align with best practices seen in other Alberta municipalities. Currently, the City’s system applies only to employees and volunteers, excludes Council, and does not allow anonymous reporting. A proposed update would expand eligibility to include contractors, suppliers, and the public, while also creating an independent, third-party mechanism for anonymous disclosures. The policy would strengthen protections against retaliation and require annual anonymized reporting on the number and outcomes of complaints. Other municipalities, such as Calgary, Edmonton, and Grande Prairie, already use external hotlines that allow anonymous reporting and broader eligibility. Training and awareness efforts are also recommended to ensure all eligible parties know how to access the system.
  
  
• Mayor Linnsie Clark has announced her bid for re-election, emphasizing her desire to complete the work she began in her first term. She described her past four years as being marked by uncovering challenges within the City, and she stressed the importance of accountability in addressing those challenges. Clark highlighted recent progress on Council, noting a stronger willingness to revisit decisions and ensure residents feel heard, especially on issues like the Transportation Master Plan. She pointed to achievements such as advancing the City’s energy transition strategy and creating a more accessible Council through town halls. Building public trust remains a central priority, with Clark arguing that transparency, humility, and relationship-building are vital for both governance and economic development. She also wants to push for a cultural shift in City operations, moving toward more resident-focused, efficient processes. If re-elected, Clark promises to uphold strong governance, improve collaboration within Council, and strengthen partnerships beyond City borders. 

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

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