SUBSCRIBE NOW As the News continues to learn more about the processes behind the recent municipal election, a former councillor raised an important question this week. From long lineups and registration confusion, to the days-long counting process and still-unexplained 30-hour results gap, it was obvious election officials took the budget into deep consideration. Acting city manager Tarolyn Aaserud confirmed it when she told the News she was “very mindful” of taxpayer dollars. She even said it twice. So, while we will have to wait until possibly the new year to read the city’s report on the 2025 municipal election, we already know from our reporting that cities were more efficient and smooth if they spent the money to do it. Conversely, in Medicine Hat, budget mindfulness meant accepting savings measures such as halving the number of polling stations versus previous years. Frustrations poured in during the week, however since that time, the News has also received comments from several in the public that saving the money was well worth it. And that brings us to the question posed by former councillor Shila Sharps this week when speaking on her time at city hall. She was referring to a long held goal of councillors and mayors to see Medicine Hat grow. Her point, of course, was that despite the best intentions of those in council chambers, the city isn’t seeing the growth it so desperately claims to seek. “What does this city want,” she bluntly asked. What she meant was, does this city want to grow or not? And, honestly, it’s a question people need to answer with honesty. Because if the answer is yes, some realistic conversations are needed about what that will cost. An election budget isn’t going to affect growth but it does reflect the general-rule mindset of this city as a whole. Let’s face it, the ‘Medicine Hat Advantage’ has always meant nothing more than ‘cheap to live.’ And while that’s a wonderful characteristic to have, it isn’t the be all end all of attracting people. Do Hatters want to be in a city that always puts low taxes and utilities at the forefront, or do Hatters want to be in a city that puts in place the amenities and services necessary to attract a wide range of new residents? This new council will decide upon some big issues during this term, from how to run the public utility (MCC, Saamis Solar, etc.) to southside rec centres and transportation plans. The outcome of each and every one can and likely will affect how Medicine Hat grows – or doesn’t – into the future. This city has already bent over backwards with tax subsidies and levy forgiveness in an effort to attract business to the region, and it doesn’t seem to be doing the trick. Perhaps instead of trying to give every willing industry a free ride, this new council will consider what’s needed to attract more people, since consumers is what creates a need for business anyway. Or don’t, and that’s fine, too. There’s nothing wrong with Medicine Hat as is, and if ‘as is’ to you means keeping the bills low across the board, that’s a perfectly acceptable way to run the city. But it won’t be cheap and bigger. It’s time to accept that. Scott Schmidt is editor of the Medicine Hat News, reach him at
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