The Seconder Rule: What Councillors Say vs. What the Law Requires
Two Medicine Hat city councillors have said that councillors should get a seconder for a motion before bringing it to a council meeting. But the Municipal Government Act and the official handbook for councillors say something different. This difference matters because Medicine Hat residents already have a low tolerance for decisions made behind closed doors.
Mayor Clark, City File Defence in Ann Mitchell Defamation Lawsuit
Mitchell is suing Clark for nearly $900,000, claiming the mayor damaged her reputation and interfered with her employment contract. Mitchell was terminated as city manager in October 2025. She filed a separate wrongful dismissal lawsuit against the City of Medicine Hat for $465,000.
PRC Accepts Jurisdiction in Complaint Against Chief Murphy et al
Justice grinds slowly. After 19 months - delayed by criminal charges that were later withdrawn - the Police Review Commission has accepted jurisdiction over complaints filed by two Medicine Hat journalists against Chief Murphy and other members of the MHPS.
Geraldine 1 - City Hall 0
Under this law, chalk is legally the same as spray paint. The bylaw also doesn't mention sidewalks. But spray paint on a sidewalk is clearly graffiti. So if chalking a building is graffiti, then chalking a sidewalk is also graffiti. Every hopscotch grid. Every "you are loved" message. All of it. Illegal.
Hand Count Hurdles: Medicine Hat’s Election Team Delivered
In 2025 Medicine Hat’s election team faced a tougher challenge than usual. New provincial rules, a brand‑new voter list that the city was required to use, and a complete turnover of the team in charge made this one of the most complex elections in recent memory. The Adminstrative and Legislative Review and Government Relations Committee got a full report today on the 2025 civic election.
