The Medicine Hat Tigers flag flies in front of city hall in 2025. Eli J. Ridder/CHAT News

By Olivia Thorington

CITY HALL

City of Medicine Hat to consider options for the future of its community flagpole

Jun 10, 2025 | 8:50 PM

Medicine Hat’s city council will soon consider various proposals for the future of a public flagpole set aside for use by community organizations.

A city committee tasked with evaluating internal policies decided on Tuesday not to select one of three options provided by staff and instead passed the decision item off to council’s July 7 meeting.

The Administrative and Legislative Review Committee — made up of councillors and staff — discussed the current flag policy in detail during the closed session of its April 8 meeting.

Non-profits and community groups currently have the ability to apply to raise a flag on the community flagpole, located in front of Medicine Hat City Hall.

Coun. Shila Sharps told CHAT News the flagpole became a decision item after the City of Medicine Hat received backlash last year when a Pride flag was raised at city hall.

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A memo prepared by the deputy city clerk did not get into specifics but instead highlighted the issues that can arise with a public pole.

“When a municipality allows flags to be flown on public property, it must carefully consider the implications, as decisions can spark controversy, political debate, or even legal challenges,” Stephanie Zubrecki wrote.

“These requests also require careful management to ensure fairness and prevent controversy, as flags can carry strong symbolic meanings.”

Zubrecki provided three options.

The first is to keep the current flag policy that tasks the committee with calling the shots on flag-raising requests from organizations in Medicine Hat.

The second option would see the flagpole moved to another site — such as across the road at Towne Square — to improve visibility and accessibility. Staff estimate that could cost $25,000 to $30,000.

The final selection proposes taking down the flagpole entirely. Zubrecki wrote this would reduce potential controversy and reduce administrative oversight.

Coun. Andy McGrogan, chair of the administrative committee, said it should go to the broader nine-member city council.

“It’s very contentious,” McGrogan said.

“Everybody has different views and I’d love to hear from everybody on this.”

Allison Knodel, another councillor on the committee, said she doesn’t see any problems with how the flagpole has been used this year so far.

“I’m happy with the decisions that are being made currently,” Knodel said, pointing out how most recently it was used to fly the Medicine Hat Tigers flag during the team’s Memorial Cup run.

“But I understand that, ultimately, we have to make a decision that represents the voice of our community, and there’s mixed feelings out there.”

The options are scheduled to come forward to council on July 7.