People packed into Higdon Hall for a citizen utility meeting on Aug. 29, 2023. (Photo Courtesy Chris Brown)

By Regan Tate and Chris Brown

Frustrated utility ratepayers want answers, relief

Aug 29, 2023 | 5:26 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Residents and business owners frustrated with skyrocketing utility prices are making their voices heard.

About 400 people showed up at Higdon Hall this afternoon demanding action from city council.

“The best rate possible without compromising utility revenues is a win-win for all in the City of Medicine Hat and the surrounding area,” said Sounantha Boss.

The comment received a huge round of applause for the organizer.

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She and her family have owned the Thai Orchid Room restaurant for the past 17 years.

Boss says her bills have never been as high as they are now – $3,900 was the latest one. She says that’s small compared to other businesses who have seen bills jump from $5,000 to $10,000.

Boss says if council doesn’t act immediately to lower rates, businesses will be forced to close.

Residents lined up to share how they are being hurt financially by the current rates, while others questioned what happened to the “Medicine Hat Advantage.”

VIDEO: Livestream of the citizen utility meeting

Jennifer Janssens says rebates would be a start but the city needs to clean up the mess they’ve put themselves in, and she wants answers.

“The fact that people have to choose between paying their power bill and eating this month or next month or for how much longer we have, it’s become ridiculous,” she says. “Businesses are going to close, people are going to have to choose between feeding their children or paying their utilities. “It’s come to that in our city? I would like an explanation as to why. How do they expect us to live?”

Mayor Linnsie Clark and councillors Darren Hirsch, Cassi Hider, and Andy McGrogran were in attendance.

At a special council meeting on Monday, council directed city staff to present council with options for immediate community utility and other cost pressure relief at the regular Sept. 5 meeting. The original time for that presentation was the end of the year.