MLA Justin Wright asks municipal affairs minister about provincial audit

Municipalities play an important role in shaping Alberta’s communities and contributing to a stronger province.

As a resident of Medicine Hat and as the MLA for the region I’ve been meeting with many constituents following the city’s formal request for a municipal inspection.

Residents are seeking clarity about next steps in this important process.

To the Minister of Municipal Affairs: could you provide an update on the status of Medicine Hat’s request for a municipal inspection and outline what our community can expect in this process?

—

Speaker:

The hon. Minister of Municipal Affairs.

—

McIver:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and I thank the member for the best question I’ve had so far this session.

The city of Medicine Hat did write to me in mid-September to formally request an inspection, and I have agreed to their request.

As with municipal inspections, all of them, we are contracting an independent and credible municipal governance expert to conduct the inspection.

I’m hopeful that the inspector’s report will be available to the city and its residents by either late spring or early summer of 2025.

—

Speaker:

The hon. Member for Cypress-Medicine Hat.

—

Mr. Wright:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker, and to the minister: you’re welcome.

Given that Medicine Hat residents, through their city council, have taken significant steps to requesting a municipal inspection and further given that municipal governance maintains public confidence and community cohesion during a very crucial time, can the minister share what specific resources and supports are available for our community to rebuild trust and maintain effective municipal governance through this process?

—

Speaker:

The hon. Minister of Municipal Affairs has the call.

—

Mr. McIver:

Thanks, Mr. Speaker.

The member is right. Confidence is an important aspect of our democratic process, and on this side of the House we are committed to strengthening public trust in municipalities.

I’ve heard the concerns raised by the mayor and council. I’ve also heard the concerns raised by several citizens that have written to my office with genuine interest.

Again, I expect the final report will help us get to the bottom of the inspections, and if there are any recommendations that become needed as a result of the report, we’ll bring them forward, and I look forward to that day.

—

Speaker:

The hon. member.

—

Wright:

Thank you, Mr. Speaker and to the minister.

Given that Medicine Hat residents are eager to see this matter addressed in a transparent and effective manner and further given that there should be due diligence taken to ensure all matters are carefully considered pertaining to the mayor, council, and administration, can the minister please inform the House about the typical timeline for reviewing and conducting municipal inspections and when our community can expect to receive updates about the status of our request?

—

Mr. McIver:

Well, again, the member is still correct.

It is critically important that there’s due diligence in the inspection. The timeline is not exact because we have an independent party doing it, but, again, we hope late spring, early summer we’ll have something to say. Like all municipal inspections, Mr. Speaker, the report will be made available to the public.

Albertans expect their local governments to be transparent and accountable.

The inspection we are conducting in Medicine Hat is just one example of many of how we’re doing that, and we certainly hope that it will be helpful for the future governance of Medicine Hat.

—

More coverage of the municipal inspection:

– Here’s what the Alberta government’s municipal inspection means

– Medicine Hat city council formally requests Alberta municipal audit

– Alberta’s municipal audit of Medicine Hat formally begins

by CHAT News Staff

MLA Justin Wright asks municipal affairs minister about provincial audit

Our Community