Let’s Talk - Economic Development - Attracting More Investment
- allardkg
- Sep 11
- 5 min read
Cutting Red Tape
We have heard from many business owners that the red tape to open a business in this city is ridiculous. Things like getting a business license have become onerous. In fact the City website currently says
Due to a high volume of business license applications, processing times may be a bit longer than usual.
This is a temporary issue only; we're doing our best to keep things moving. Thanks for your patience!
I am not knowledgeable enough about this process so I would love to hear from those who have done it.
I would like to know where the problems are so they can be fixed; the more specific, the better. It would also be a good idea to ask the people who actually do the work as to how things can be streamlined; often the best ideas come from those in the trenches.
Getting Rid of the Municipal Planning Commission (MPC)
This is one thing that City Manager Ann Mitchell tried to do early in her tenure but MPC Chair Councillor Darren Hirsch "took umbrage" at that attempt. It is one thing I do agree with her about and here’s why; it adds an unnecessary step in the development process when it comes to rezoning.
Process
A developer goes to Planning and Development to get a recommendation for a rezoning, they need to make their case.
1 If Planning and Development is good with it, it goes to Council for First Reading.
2 It then goes to the Municipal Planning Commission (MPC). The MPC hears from staff and the developer (this is the 2nd time they present their case), the MPC often allows the public to speak for or against. The MPC makes a recommendation to go to Council for 2nd and 3rd Reading.
3 When it goes back to Council for 2nd and 3rd Reading, once again staff and the developer must present (this is now the 3rd time for the developer). Many of the Council Members are unaware of the discussion at the MPC and information must be repeated, some details may be missed.
4 If Council denies the rezoning, the developer can appeal (4th presentation) to the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board (SDAB); their decision is final. The developer cannot reapply for 6 months unless certain conditions apply.
The MPC has little use and adds an unnecessary delay in the approval process. It's supposed to meet twice a month; here's how many times they've met over the past 10 years.
Number of Meetings Held 2015 - Sept 11 2025
2015 - 8 2019 - 8 2023 - 6
2016 - 14 2020 - 11 2024 - 8
2017 - 12 2021 - 11 2025 - 5 (so far)
2018 - 16 2022 - 9
This commission is a waste of time for staff, developers, members of the public and council members. Planning and Development Staff are highly trained in these matters - they should not be made to jump through hoops to present the same information over and over again for the sake of a useless commission.
Purchasing Property From the City - Using Realtors
The City has had multiple failed land sales.
They had a deal for the 1st St SW property near Harlow but the buyer backed out.
They had a deal for the old Arena site but the buyer backed out.
These are only the ones we know about.
I have said before - The Province of Alberta uses realtors, we should be doing the same. The City has finally started doing that for some properties but this should have been done a long time ago.
We can do all of the things but unless there is trust, nobody is going to want to do business with the City of Medicine Hat.
Rebuilding Trust
We need to rebuild trust. Nobody trusts the City of Medicine Hat and for very good reason. This started a long time ago when business in this city was done with a wink and a nod. Between
a former City Manager spending $830,000k over two years on a property the City did not even own to upgrade Invest Medicine Hat (IMH) offices (they are no longer in that building),
the whole IMH/ORKA mess where city staff clumsily altered the conflict of interest clause in the RFP
the previous City Council spending $75k for an outside agency to justify their actions in the whole IMH/ORKA mess
the next city Manager bypassing our own bylaw
present council backing up the City Manager’s bylaw bypassing
the unjust and extreme sanctions imposed on our mayor throwing our whole city in turmoil
The leaks from City Hall to a mysterious online “news” page who the Medicine Hat Owl revealed to be a local “wealth advisor” who allowed people to anonymously spew venom and undermine City Hall
the Judicial Review that spanked Council for not being able to make reasonable decisions
the Municipal Inspection that found that the City was being run in an Irregular, Improper, and Improvident manner
Who would want to do business with us? I know I sure as hell wouldn't. If I had money to invest, I would not be investing it in Medicine Hat - City Hall has proven that they cannot be trusted to do the right thing, they have shown a willingness to bypass their own bylaws. Instead of negotiating, Council has instead chosen to litgiate matters - case in point, the Judicical Review. Council had an opportunity to address the oturageous sanctions they imposed but instead doubled down and spent ten of thousands of public monies becasue they refused to compromise.
City Hall - whether it be Council or Administration - have acted unethically too many times including leaking information with impunity. Council Members and Administration are both expected to be able to keep a secret. It's one thing to reveal something that the public should know such as when it is a matter of public health or safety, it is quite another to leak information to cause drama or turmoil. There must be consequences.
Trust takes a long time to rebuild; here’s how we start.
We’ve all heard the buzzword transparency - it’s time for council members to walk the walk. Calgary has an entire webpage devoted to Calgary City Council Council Accountability
including items such as
Council Visitor Registry This photo was taken in April 2025 - who was this group meeting with?
Council Disclosure Statements I want to know how many properties a council member owns before they vote on taxes.
Council Budgets and Expenses I want to know how they are spending public monies and on whom.
Council Gifts and Personal Benefits I want to know who is getting what.
I want to see Council expenses published at least 4 times a year with the following information:
name and position of the individual who incurred the expense;
date of the transaction;
transaction amount;
expense category;
description and rationale for meals and hosting; and
supporting documentation, including receipts when applicable.
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