Medicine Hat MLAs ban recording public town hall

Feb 2, 2024 | 2:41 PM

Recording will not be allowed at a public town hall featuring Medicine Hat‘s provincial representatives.

Cypress-Medicine Hat MLA Justin Wright and Brooks-Medicine Hat MLA Danielle Smith are holding the forum at the public library Friday evening.

Wright’s office informed CHAT News on Friday morning no recordings will be allowed as the pair of United Conservative MLAs talk with constituents.

Ken Feser, chief librarian at the Medicine Hat Public Library, said it was “a disappointment” the town hall won’t be recorded for a wider reach.

But Feser added the town would likely go about differently if the MLAs were on camera.

“It would change the tenor of the meeting if it was recorded or filmed,” Feser told CHAT News.

“Arguably, that might put barriers in the way of the MLAs.”

It’s also not a decision up to the library.

Those who rent spaces at the library are able to set their own rules, Feser explained.

“We have policies around when we rent rooms, the renter is in control of that space because they pay for that,” he said.

The town hall runs from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. in the library’s theatre on a first come, first seated basis. Doors open at 4:30 p.m.

by Eli J. Ridder | @EliRidder