Mayor Linnsie Clark broke Medicine Hat's council code of conduct, according to her council colleagues. Eli J. Ridder/CHAT News

By Olivia Thorington

CITY HALL

Medicine Hat ethics chief halts complaint process as conduct rules eliminated

May 15, 2025 | 5:00 PM

A process allowing Medicine Hat residents to file complaints against elected city officials was eliminated on Thursday as the rules policing councils were officially removed by royal assent.

An integrity commissioner hired by the city to investigate and review complaints filed through the council code of conduct confirmed to CHAT News he is no longer accepting submissions.

Council could decide to retain the commissioner, Michael Solowan of Kingsgate Legal, in an advisory capacity to council on ethical matters, according to a spokesperson for the city.

Solowan was appointed to a two-year term in February after council last year budgeted $100,000 for his services.

Municipal affairs ministry spokesperson Kevin Lee said such contracts are “not necessarily” impacted by eliminating codes of conduct.

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“Existing integrity commissioners may continue to provide services that are beyond the scope of a previous code of conduct bylaw,” Lee told CHAT News.

“This depends on what additional services, if any, are included in the local integrity commissioner’s mandate as determined by the municipality.”

Bill 50 was passed by the Alberta legislative assembly on Tuesday and, now with formal approval, it will come into force over various dates, according to the legislative tracker.

The Alberta government mandated council codes of conduct after amendments to the Municipal Government Act in early 2015.

However, former municipal affairs minister Ric McIver started to consider removing the codes because they weren’t being used as intended.

“While some councils have seen success with their codes of conduct, we have seen municipal codes of conduct weaponized by some councils, resulting in mistrust, dysfunction and failure to serve Albertans,” Lee said in a statement to CHAT News. 

“Alberta’s government will be putting codes of conducts on pause and working with municipal partners on a path forward that delivers the best results for local governance and the residents they represent while also exploring the creation of a municipal ethics commissioner.”

Mayor Linnsie Clark had most of her powers stripped by sanctions placed on her by council after a misconduct complaint.

Most of the restrictions were removed by Calgary judge last year.

This is a developing story. More details to follow.