LETHBRIDGE, ALTA. –

After months of speculation, the Ministry of Municipal Affairs will conduct an inspection of the City of Medicine Hat.

The province has already met with members of the council and executive administration. After these meetings, the province decided an inspection was necessary.

The city released a statement on the investigation saying, “Once the inspection is complete, a report is presented to council and residents at a public meeting to ensure the public can see the results of the inspection. »

The City of Medicine Hat has had several high-profile issues between Mayor Linnsie Clark and city council.

In March, the council voted to impose sanctions against the mayor after she violated the city’s code of conduct during an August 2023 council meeting.

These sanctions were subsequently overturned by a court decision in September. Despite these issues, the inspection may not bring significant changes to city policy.

“I think whatever comes out of this will be more detailed. Unlike big revelations like, ‘This is definitely a mistake, don’t ever let this happen again,’ or, you know, so bad that we’re going to suspend the council,” political scientist Jim Groom told Medicine Hat.

Some residents are happy to see there will be a review.

The group that attempted to recall Mayor Clark in 2023 was frustrated by the actions of council and city staff.

They hope this inspection can bring about changes.

“I want them to step in like any good operations person would, assess what’s wrong and fix it, but then take the next step and say, ‘How can we stop this from happening? ” said Nicole Frey, who organized the petition to recall Clark.

The Ministry of Municipal Affairs released a statement on the inspection and provided a timeline of when the findings will be released.

“Following a request from Medicine Hat City Council, the Government of Alberta retained the services of an independent municipal governance expert to conduct an inspection. After the inspection, the inspector’s report will be made available to the city and its residents in early summer 2025,” the release said.