Rest of province trying to catch up with Medicine Hat progress

Just call us ‘Energy Central’

Medicine Hat is not the “forgotten corner” of Alberta.

The main reason for this is we are now seeing the rest of the province trying to catch up to the progress this city has made.

We are leaders who have struck out on our own in maintaining municipal control over our utilities.

Instead of waiting for the provincial and federal governments to develop energy efficiency initiatives, this city developed the Hat Smart program which preceded the current Alberta government’s energy efficiency programs by eight years.

Medicine Hat has developed its own windfarm that, while modest in size, is bigger than any other in the country contained within municipal boundaries.

We have the lowest unemployment rate amongst the mid-sized municipalities in Alberta, including, Lethbridge, Red Deer and Wood Buffalo while being in considerably better shape than the large centres of Calgary and Edmonton.

There has been a year-over-year increase of nearly 5,000 jobs in this city in the month of March, according to the latest Medicine Hat-specific job numbers.

And the opportunities for development of this region’s energy sector – along with the economic development which accompanies such expansion – continue to be bright.

We can be Energy Central and not just the Gas City.

Earlier this week, I was pleased to host Minister Shannon Phillips in the city as she announced more provincial government funding for flood mitigation and protection projects in southeastern Alberta.

This latest funding contribution to the city’s $33 million worth of flood protection work brings the total Government of Alberta contribution to flood resiliency projects in Medicine Hat to $25 million. That is not including the federal government’s $1.5 million in direct contributions, according to a recent article in the Medicine Hat News.

I’m especially pleased to see Cypress County receive nearly a million dollars from the environment minister to replace the Veinerville lift station.

While lift stations might be projects which don’t quite capture the imagination like berms, this new infrastructure will not only better protect water access for county residents but has the potential to increase access to potable water. And just not to residents of Veinerville but those who live between the hamlet, Schuler, the Cypress Hills and Saskatchewan border.

There will be challenges ahead, however.

The recent decision by the U.S. to impose tariffs on Alberta softwood lumber, along with threats to do the same to this province’s beef and energy products, presents a serious risk to the Alberta economy.

While there are some in our Medicine Hat community who are very supportive of the U.S. administration and its policies, I believe it’s important for Medicine Hat constituents to stand tall next to their fellow Albertans who will be impacted by these policy shifts south of the border.

My personal position is I support Hatters and Albertans, the work that they do in building up our proud nation and the commitment they have to this country and its values.

Bob Wanner is the Medicine Hat MLA representing the NDP and Speaker of the Legislature.