By Ashley Wiebe

Clugston, Notley to focus on the future

Feb 3, 2017 | 4:14 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB — Mayor Ted Clugston has been vocal about the importance of having the premier visit Medicine Hat. It’s something he’s wanted since the Alberta Winter Games last year.

“It was important to us and I think important to the community that she would come down,” he said.

Premier Rachel Notley spoke at Medicine Hat College Friday morning and addressed why it’s taken her so long to make the trip, saying the Fort McMurray wildfires hit and they became the priority.

“I’ve always wanted to come out here and I’m pleased to be here now because it’s an opportunity to hear from the residents of Medicine Hat and to engage with them and I certainly look forward to it more,” she said.

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After making an announcement about a new business incubator program at the college, Notley visited with seniors at Strathcona Senior Centre. Then she was off to meet with the mayor and council.

Clugston has hoped to discuss the carbon tax and minimum wage increases before both were implemented.

Notley said Friday that consultations were held and voices were heard, but it meant an “automatic veto” of the plan.

“We certainly heard views from people across the province on both those issues and ultimately concluded that the path that we’ve chosen is best for creating jobs, supporting the diversification of our economy, something that’s long overdue,” she said.

“I don’t know how effective the consultation was and we didn’t bring it up today,” Clugston said, after the closed-door meeting. “It’s done. We’ve accepted, I think, that no matter what we say, the carbon tax is here, it’s going to stay and minimum wage increases are going to continue to occur, no matter what we say.”

Clugston was hoping to discuss new energy projects, like petrochemicals. The NDP made an announcement for two new facilities near Edmonton back in December, but the local Methanex plant was denied provincial funding for its expansion.

Clugston said he didn’t have time to bring up the issue in his 45 minute meeting.

“My statement would be to open it up to all industries, petrochemical really, so you could spur growth and development.,” he said.

Clugston said the two are now focusing on looking forward and that includes the future of renewable energy projects in Medicine Hat.

“We expect to be forefront,” he said. “I think she heard that loud and clear.”

“Our government is fully aware of the leadership, in fact, that has been shown in Medicine Hat and we’re very aware of the capacity of this part of the province to engage in the renewable energy work that we want to do.”

Clugston said he’s already invited Notley back to our city, hopeful it won’t be another year and a half before she returns.

“They said ‘we’ll see you soon’,” he said.