Candidate Outreach

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Attending Oct 1 Meet and Greet? Yes

1. Do you support maintaining the Respectful Workplace act which protects 2SLGBTQIA+ residents, and other marginalized communities within city services and employment? Yes

2. Are you in favour of providing funding or support for local 2SLGBTQIA+ events, programs, or organizations?  Yes

3. Would you oppose any municipal policies or actions that would discriminate against or marginalize 2SLGBTQIA+ residents?  Yes

4. Would you collaborate with local 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations to ensure community needs are reflected in municipal policies and initiatives?  Yes

5.  Will you advocate for the inclusion of 2SLGBTQIA+ symbols and signage in municipal public spaces, such as by continuing to raise a pride flag at city hall during the month of June? Yes

Attending Oct 1 Meet and Greet? Yes

1. Do you support maintaining the Respectful Workplace act which protects 2SLGBTQIA+ residents, and other marginalized communities within city services and employment? Yes

2. Are you in favour of providing funding or support for local 2SLGBTQIA+ events, programs, or organizations?  Yes

3. Would you oppose any municipal policies or actions that would discriminate against or marginalize 2SLGBTQIA+ residents?  Yes

4. Would you collaborate with local 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations to ensure community needs are reflected in municipal policies and initiatives?  Yes

5.  Will you advocate for the inclusion of 2SLGBTQIA+ symbols and signage in municipal public spaces, such as by continuing to raise a pride flag at city hall during the month of June?  This one is important, and I want to  answer it carefully. I do believe symbols and signage in our city should  be inclusive of everyone. I have no issue with raising the Pride flag  at City Hall during June, or similar gestures of recognition, as long as  we do it in a way that respects inclusivity across the board. In fact, I  think a good solution might be to add a dedicated flagpole at City Hall  so we can recognize different communities throughout the year. That  way, every group feels welcome and represented, and no one feels  excluded. 

Note From PPG:  Bylaw number 0175, "Flags and Proclamations Policy" has structure in place for any not for profit or community group to request a flag to be flown at city hall. Restrictions are only put on political groups, for profit organizations, or groups that espouse violence and hatred.

Attending Oct 1 Meet and Greet? Yes

1. Do you support maintaining the Respectful Workplace act which protects 2SLGBTQIA+ residents, and other marginalized communities within city services and employment? Yes
  

2. Are you in favour of providing funding or support for local 2SLGBTQIA+ events, programs, or organizations?   Yes, but in line with City policy applicable to all community groups 

3. Would you oppose any municipal policies or actions that would discriminate against or marginalize 2SLGBTQIA+ residents?  Yes

4. Would you collaborate with local 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations to ensure community needs are reflected in municipal policies and initiatives?  Yes

5.  Will you advocate for the inclusion of 2SLGBTQIA+ symbols and signage in municipal public spaces, such as by continuing to raise a pride flag at city hall during the month of June?  Yes to the flag.  Would consider other ideas on a case by case basis. 

Attending Oct 1 Meet and Greet? Yes

1. Do you support maintaining the Respectful Workplace act which protects 2SLGBTQIA+ residents, and other marginalized communities within city services and employment? Yes

2. Are you in favour of providing funding or support for local 2SLGBTQIA+ events, programs, or organizations?  Yes

3. Would you oppose any municipal policies or actions that would discriminate against or marginalize 2SLGBTQIA+ residents?  Yes

4. Would you collaborate with local 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations to ensure community needs are reflected in municipal policies and initiatives?  Yes

5.  Will you advocate for the inclusion of 2SLGBTQIA+ symbols and signage in municipal public spaces, such as by continuing to raise a pride flag at city hall during the month of June? Yes

Attending Oct 1 Meet and Greet? Yes

1. Do you support maintaining the Respectful Workplace act which protects 2SLGBTQIA+ residents, and other marginalized communities within city services and employment? Yes

2. Are you in favour of providing funding or support for local 2SLGBTQIA+ events, programs, or organizations?  Yes

3. Would you oppose any municipal policies or actions that would discriminate against or marginalize 2SLGBTQIA+ residents?  Yes

4. Would you collaborate with local 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations to ensure community needs are reflected in municipal policies and initiatives?  Yes

5.  Will you advocate for the inclusion of 2SLGBTQIA+ symbols and signage in municipal public spaces, such as by continuing to raise a pride flag at city hall during the month of June? Yes

Attending Oct 1 Meet and Greet? Yes

1. Do you support maintaining the Respectful Workplace act which protects 2SLGBTQIA+ residents, and other marginalized communities within city services and employment? Yes  

2. Are you in favour of providing funding or support for local 2SLGBTQIA+ events, programs, or organizations?  Yes

3. Would you oppose any municipal policies or actions that would discriminate against or marginalize 2SLGBTQIA+ residents?  Yes

4. Would you collaborate with local 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations to ensure community needs are reflected in municipal policies and initiatives?  Yes

5.  Will you advocate for the inclusion of 2SLGBTQIA+ symbols and signage in municipal public spaces, such as by continuing to raise a pride flag at city hall during the month of June? Yes

Attending Oct 1 Meet and Greet? Yes

1. Do you support maintaining the Respectful Workplace act which protects 2SLGBTQIA+ residents, and other marginalized communities within city services and employment? Yes

2. Are you in favour of providing funding or support for local 2SLGBTQIA+ events, programs, or organizations?  Yes

3. Would you oppose any municipal policies or actions that would discriminate against or marginalize 2SLGBTQIA+ residents?  Yes

4. Would you collaborate with local 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations to ensure community needs are reflected in municipal policies and initiatives?  Yes

5.  Will you advocate for the inclusion of 2SLGBTQIA+ symbols and signage in municipal public spaces, such as by continuing to raise a pride flag at city hall during the month of June? Yes

Attending Oct 1 Meet and Greet? Yes

1. Do you support maintaining the Respectful Workplace act which protects 2SLGBTQIA+ residents, and other marginalized communities within city services and employment? Yes  

2. Are you in favour of providing funding or support for local 2SLGBTQIA+ events, programs, or organizations?  Yes

3. Would you oppose any municipal policies or actions that would discriminate against or marginalize 2SLGBTQIA+ residents?  Yes

4. Would you collaborate with local 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations to ensure community needs are reflected in municipal policies and initiatives?  Yes

5.  Will you advocate for the inclusion of 2SLGBTQIA+ symbols and signage in municipal public spaces, such as by continuing to raise a pride flag at city hall during the month of June? Yes

Attending Oct 1 Meet and Greet? Yes

As my role on city council (if I am to be elected), it is my job to  ensure that I represent all people of Medicine Hat, and remain unbiased  (representing all people, not a particular political party, religious  group, or cultural group or community). 

I have a  lot of experience, as a former educator (a teacher for 20 years),  working in this type of role and doing my best for all students and  families:  providing positive and hopefully progressive opportunities  for learning, understanding and growth.  I certainly understand some, if  not many, of the concerns and challenges faced by marginalized groups  such as the 2SLGBTQIA+ community.  It is my hope that I can help play a  role in helping reduce fear, anxiety and misinformation and help bring  better understanding and acceptance amongst all people (or as many as  possible).  Regardless of my role, I also feel that a strategy to help  achieve some of these goals of reducing fear, anxiety, creating  awareness and acceptance, is to avoid falling into traps of "us against  them - one side vs. another" (something that is very hard to break, as  our society tends to lean towards these ways of thinking).

As  part of this email response, I am going to pause on answering your  questions as I do not see these as "yes" or "no" questions to answer,  keeping in mind that I do not want my simple answers to reflect an "us  against them - one side vs. another" stance, as this would not represent  me well as a councilor (as I do need to represent all people), but also can work against the concept of reducing fear and anxiety.  This does  not mean that I do not have a response, it just means that I am open to  hearing concerns and possible solutions that I may be ignorant or naive  to, but also allows me to support my position or decision for an answer  that stays focused on the problem and works towards finding positive,  actionable solutions.

I recognize that sharing this in an email is very limited, as I have a lot more I want to learn about and also share. 

Michael sent a follow up email where he responded to each question:

 

1.  Do you support maintaining the Respectful Workplace act which protects  2SLGBTQIA+ residents, and other marginalized communities within city  services and employment?  Absolutely.  The  Respectful Workplace act is for the benefit of everyone (although I  understand the particular importance for marginalized communities), and  it is important to maintain. This is something I am familiar with, as  well, being a former teacher in the education system.

2. Are you in favour of providing funding or support for local 2SLGBTQIA+ events, programs, or organizations?   I would treat this like any other decision to be made by the council.   As a councilor I would be placed in a position to work together with all  council members, but I would do my part to ensure that the decisions  made are not made from bias, and that regardless of what organization or  group is requesting support for funding, support etc. they receive the  same treatment and is provided equal and fair opportunity.   I know this  may sound vague, but I may be in a position to not approve a request,  not because of who is requesting, but that the request does not fall in  line with what we would decide for any group. I hope that makes sense.   So this is one of those answers where I find it difficult to say yes or  no specifically, unless you are asking "would I not support a request  from your group based on biases of where the request is coming from" and  my answer is that I would not take that in as a factor and that like  any request, if there is a way to help support and grow our community as  a whole, then yes I would advocate for that within the means my  position allows.

3. Would you oppose any municipal policies or actions that would discriminate against or marginalize 2SLGBTQIA+ residents?  No.   I am against discrimination of any sort, and would rather work towards  finding solutions to minimize discrimination to help create a culture  and society of better understanding and acceptance.

4.  Would you collaborate with local 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations to ensure  community needs are reflected in municipal policies and initiatives? Absolutely.   It is important to me that I stay informed and educated of the needs of  everyone, so that when I am in a place to make decisions, I am working  with correct and proper information that reflects the actual needs and  concerns of the people;  again, within my role as councillor.

5.  Will you advocate for the inclusion of 2SLGBTQIA+ symbols and signage  in municipal public spaces, such as by continuing to raise a pride flag  at city hall during the month of June? I am not  sure about this one, and not because I do not appreciate it (I've often  thought, hey "cool" this is great).  However, I have been advocating  that the city and council should ensure that it represents all of its  citizens, so my concern is that the city maybe shouldn't be the platform  to do these things (and I know, it really shouldn't be harmful, but we  are in a society that is looking for any excuse to create division).   So, for example, should the city fly other flags etc. too (I come back  to my point that the city should be viewed as supportive but neutral).   For example, what should the city say if another group (especially an  opposing group, asked, out of "fairness", that we fly a flag that  represents their group.  I know, this may seem far fetched but in  today's society, it wouldn't surprise me).  This does not mean that I  think the city should not support the 2SLGBTQIA+ community in any way  that they can, as they would any other group or organization, however,  that the city itself (ex. city hall and city buildings) remain a bit of  "behind the scenes" support.  For example, the city would support flags  being put up but maybe not flying a specific flag at City Hall (or  anyone else's flag for that matter).  Does that make sense?  I'm not  trying to be difficult with this either, I am just trying to express how  being in this position it is important to navigate carefully, to ensure  that the city is doing its part to represent everyone fairly and  equally.  

I  hope that helps.  I hope you appreciate and understand the positions I  have expressed above, as I do not like being careless with my responses,  but do know that I am wanting to work towards helping reduce (and  ideally eliminating) fear, anxiety, discrimination etc.  I do take your  questions seriously and I look forward to continuing to work with you  and your community if I am to be elected (if not as well, but in the  nature of this conversation, it matters in the role of me being  councillor).

Attending Oct 1 Meet and Greet? Yes

1. Do you support maintaining the Respectful Workplace act which protects 2SLGBTQIA+ residents, and other marginalized communities within city services and employment?   Everyone deserves to feel safe and respected when  accessing city services or working for the city — fairness and dignity  are important.   

2. Are you in favour of providing funding or support for local 2SLGBTQIA+ events, programs, or organizations?    

The 2SLGBTQIA+ community should have the same opportunity  to access municipal funding as any other group. Council’s role is  limited, but we can help ensure fair access and support where it fits  within our responsibilities.   
Note from PPG: As per bylaw No. 4661, which establishes the Community Vibrancy Advisory Board, council's role is to accept or reject the grant applications as offered by the Community Vibrancy Advisory Board. Therefore, while the CVAB does send items to council to be voted upon, ultimately, council is the sole determining factor for if grants are administered to certain community groups.  

3. Would you oppose any municipal policies or actions that would discriminate against or marginalize 2SLGBTQIA+ residents? Yes

4. Would you collaborate with local 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations to ensure community needs are reflected in municipal policies and initiatives?  Listening to local organizations helps ensure policies  reflect real needs. While council’s role is limited, I would welcome  collaboration with 2SLGBTQIA+ groups to make inclusive, informed  decisions.
Note from PPG: as per the current Medicine Hat Community Well-Being Plan, while still in draft stages, the city has outlined Strategic Objectives for action based on diversity, equity and inclusion. Council's role here is to choose to reject or adopt the Community Well-Being Plan, and council will be asked to consider incorporating inclusive input in policy and program development in the future. Currently, council does not require civic participation and engagement in policy development. 

5.  Will you advocate for the inclusion of 2SLGBTQIA+ symbols and signage in municipal public spaces, such as by continuing to raise a pride flag at city hall during the month of June? Raising the Pride flag and including inclusive symbols in  public spaces shows Medicine Hat is welcoming to all. Council’s role is  limited, but I support continuing practices that reflect respect and inclusion.

Note from PPG:  council's role in this matter has been set by bylaw number 0175, "Flags and Proclamations Policy", and is under the purveiw of council entirely.

Attending Oct 1 Meet and Greet? Yes

1. Do you support maintaining the Respectful Workplace act which protects 2SLGBTQIA+ residents, and other marginalized communities within city services and employment? Yes

2. Are you in favour of providing funding or support for local 2SLGBTQIA+ events, programs, or organizations?  Yes

3. Would you oppose any municipal policies or actions that would discriminate against or marginalize 2SLGBTQIA+ residents?  Yes

4. Would you collaborate with local 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations to ensure community needs are reflected in municipal policies and initiatives?  Yes

5.  Will you advocate for the inclusion of 2SLGBTQIA+ symbols and signage in municipal public spaces, such as by continuing to raise a pride flag at city hall during the month of June? Yes

1. Do you support maintaining the Respectful Workplace act which protects 2SLGBTQIA+ residents, and other marginalized communities within city services and employment?  Absolutely. Protection from  discrimination in our workplace is not just good business practice, it’s  a legal right of all employees in the province as per the Alberta Human  Rights Act. I encourage all employers to go beyond the AHRA to build  company specific policies to ensure they are meeting the needs of their  employees, and I imagine that’s why the Respectful Workplace Act was put  in place. 

   2. Are you in favour of providing funding or support for local 2SLGBTQIA+ events, programs, or organizations?  In principle I am in favour of  providing funding to support local 2SLGBTQ1A+ events, programs or  organizations, just as we would with any other community within our  city. But I can’t commit to specific amounts without first reviewing the  City’s budgets to understand what general funding is available.

   3. Would you oppose any municipal policies or actions that would discriminate against or marginalize 2SLGBTQIA+ residents?  Without question. 

   4. Would you collaborate with local 2SLGBTQIA+ organizations to ensure community needs are reflected in municipal policies and initiatives?  Yes. The 2SLGBTQIA+ community are an  important and valued part of the wider Medicine Hat community and their  community needs should be reflected. I also recognize that the city has  a responsibility to all communities to ensure their needs are  reflected, so we’ll need to take a collective approach to this. 

   5.  Will you advocate for the inclusion of 2SLGBTQIA+ symbols and signage in municipal public spaces, such as by continuing to raise a pride flag at city hall during the month of June?Yes.  It’s important that the community see their symbols in public spaces. I  also recognize that there are many other communities who want their  symbols represented as well. I don’t think that this necessarily creates  a conflict, but I want to ensure that we have a robust policy in place  so that the broader community feels represented. I’m specifically  thinking of things like June 21st (National Indigenous Peoples Day) and  September 30th (National Truth and Reconciliation Day) - which are both  important to me as a Cree man. I’m not aware of a broader strategy or  policy that the city has when it comes to this. It could exist, I just  haven’t seen anything. At the end of the day I want the citizens of  Medicine Hat to feel represented at City Hall. I want to ensure we don’t  get into any distracting “us vs. Them” disagreements and an inclusive  symbols and signage policy could help us with this. If something already  exists then great!  

Note From PPG:  Bylaw number 0175, "Flags and Proclamations Policy" has structure in place for any not for profit or community group to request a flag to be flown at city hall. Restrictions are only put on political groups, for profit organizations, or groups that espouse violence and hatred.