OK, time for action on some key issues
The byelection in Medicine Hat-Cardston-Warner provided plenty of grist for the mill for pundits, publishers and everyday people.
Politicians have spoken, as have the voters, and now the focus needs to be on what is required for this constituency.
Hatters tend to see themselves outside of government and far away from Ottawa, even when they had a representative on the government side of the house for 10 of the last 11 years.
Now, we again have a Conservative MP in Glen Motz on the opposition benches facing a Liberal majority that’s promised a fair shake for all areas of the country. So, taking all sides at their word, it would be nice to resolve several issues that have outlived several elections.
— The measure, brought by the federal Conservatives in 2013 after a lawsuit by environmental group claiming inaction, is perhaps the biggest issue in terms of contentiousness and lack of progress.
Petroleum producers, including the City of Medicine Hat, are seeking financial compensation in court over the development restrictions.
Landowners and grazing leaseholders are most concerned about the bottom falling out of surface access agreements that underpin the finances of their ranching interests.
Transition to reserve held in trust, creation of national parks, money for producer programs and other measures have gone great distance to smooth out similar tensions over sage grouse in the western United States.
The file is now the property of the Liberals, and remedy is required.
The Wild Horse border crossing
— A new study is coming from regional economic groups about expanding service hours at the international border south of the city. It has been decades, however, that the idea has been promoted, but largely left floating by a number of governments and agencies involved.
Keen readers will remember Medicine Hat mayor and Liberal candidate in 2011 Norm Boucher challenging then incumbent LaVar Payne on the topic.
Hatters deserve an affirmative answer, or an explanation as to why this has been considered a non-starter.
— The review of grain handling has been hoped for long before Justin Trudeau’s Liberals took power one year ago.
Elsewhere, it’s likely a matter of fatigue, but the idea to move the marshalling yard out of the Medicine Hat city centre has been off the radar since 2012 and city planners and politicians consider the issue futile.
A smaller-steps approach, though, could be the case for a rail facility to serve CFB Suffield, complete with some loading capacity that could be accessed by private sector. National level partnerships are required.
— Disaster mitigation work has been ongoing in Medicine Hat since 2013, but without federal money until last year’s $1.5 million Build Canada grant announcement. Reimbursement for completed projects could be a bridge too far, so to speak, but projects still remain.
Perhaps not top of mind for city dwellers, counties and irrigation districts in the region also have projects on the books to flood- and drought-proof their facilities — $100 million alone on the St. Mary’s system that includes the Seven Persons Creek.
New money depends on provincial-federal partnership on infrastructure funds. Hatters can only hope three parties — including the provincial New Democrats — can avoid grandstanding, largesse, and gridlock, or some combination of the three.
A still persistent feeling of being the forgotten corner was stoked not only by the Liberals during the byelection, but by Conservatives as well.
The Liberal gambit didn’t resonate strongly enough at the polls, although Trudeau declared his interest and support for all areas of Canada.
The message, loud and clear, from the Conservatives was that Ottawa as ruled by the federal Liberals bluntly did not care about southern Alberta.
It was their party, they said, which would fight for what’s best for the region.
Let us hope the two statements are not mutually exclusive.
Rail oversight Berm construction The Sage Grouse Protection Order Ticked Off
That Justin Trudeau flew in to our city partially on the taxpayer’s dime to give another “speech” with absolutely no substance and left with a few more “selfies.”
Ticked Pink
That the Canadian prime minister took time out of his busy schedule to visit our small city. Whether you support the party or not, this was again historic and should have been treated as such. In the future, please show respect for at least the effort!
Tickled Pink
To see two city council members at the love-in for Justin Trudeau. One taking pictures like a love-struck schoolboy, the other dancing in the background like a fool.
Ticked Off
In the Oct. 15 edition of the News there were five photos of Justin Trudeau in the first seven pages. He says we don’t understand carbon pricing (tax). What he doesn’t understand is that Canada is a carbon sink. If Canada disappeared, atmospheric CO2 would rise even faster. He will ruin our economy for no good reason.
Ticked Off
At the Tigers for not having better promotions at their games. How about giving away a replica jersey to a fan instead of a
free hair cut at Tommy Guns? Or a $50 gift card from Earls instead of a free oil change?
Ticked Off
That a fast food restaurant can be built from dirt to finished and operating quicker than it takes to fix a small section of road next to it.
Tickled Pink
That business owners are willing to make tough decisions that allow their businesses to remain open and keep some jobs. They are being forced to lay off and cut due to the minimum wage hike.
Ticked Off
That we have a government that has a plan ... to destroy our economy.
Ticked Off
With the RCMP who won’t take a person’s complaint seriously.
Tickled Pink
A local church puts a nativity scene in front of its church so people who attend that church can see it. Not for everyone in Medicine Hat to see it.
Ticked Off
That I have to pay for parking at the hospital to get blood work done when AHS promised to have a new collection site.
Tickled Pink
Thanks for keeping Red and Rover on the comics page. It’s the sweetest and most gentle cartoon ever. I look forward to it every day.
Ticked Off
We need a man like Brad Wall to fight for Alberta.
Ticked Off
The dollar stores aren’t dollar stores any more.
Ticked Off
Which mayor was it who said the No. 1 priority would be the Flats? It’s so dark down here you’re afraid to go for a walk at night.