Mayor Linnsie Clark has refused a series of mediation attempts by council, including one featuring Alberta's minister of municipal affairs. Eli J. Ridder/CHAT News

By Eli J. Ridder

‘Nothing to say’: Medicine Hat mayor refused mediation with Alberta minister present, sources say

Aug 17, 2024 | 2:42 PM

Mayor Linnsie Clark did not engage in an attempt to find “common ground” during a meeting she and council had with Alberta’s municipal affairs minister Ric McIver in July, according to two individuals at the meeting who spoke to CHAT News on the condition of anonymity.

Every member of council spoke from the heart “in the name of reconciliation” during the meeting, one of the individuals said Saturday.

“At the end of it, she just smiled and said ‘I have nothing to say’,” the person added.

Cypress-Medicine Hat MLA Justin Wright and several senior city staff were also present at the July 25 meeting, one of the sources said.

The meeting was just the latest attempt at conflict resolution with Clark, who was sanctioned by council earlier this year for misconduct.

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Heather Jenkins, a spokesperson for McIver, confirmed to CHAT News on Monday that the meeting took place.

“Minister McIver travelled to Medicine Hat to hear the perspective of each member of council and offer ministry supports to help council find common ground,” Jenkins said.

“During that meeting, council members committed to consider the minister’s offer and will respond following council’s Aug. 19 meeting,” she added.

“Municipal affairs remains available to provide advisory support as needed.”

READ: Medicine Hat’s council divide deeper than one-off act of misconduct

The meeting came just two weeks before a judicial review hearing where lawyers for Clark and the city argued over the validity of the sanctions.

Councillors on Friday told CHAT News they have tried mediation at least four times, before and after limiting her powers and cutting her $136,000 salary by 50 per cent.

Municipal affairs minister Ric McIver previously told CHAT News said code of conduct rules are not meant to be weaponized. File Photo/Government of Alberta

McIver told CHAT News in April his ministry would not get involved in Medicine Hat’s leadership crisis.

The minister also said Alberta’s required code of conduct bylaws — the bylaw that council found Clark broke during an exchange with the city manager in August 2023 — are not meant to be weaponized.

CHAT News has submitted requests for comment from minister McIver’s office and Mayor Clark.