Mayor Linnsie Clark addressed media and supporters in front of city hall on Wednesday. (CHAT News)

By Eli J. Ridder | @EliRidder

DEVELOPING

Medicine Hat mayor launches legal action in effort to reverse council’s sanctions

Mar 27, 2024 | 3:58 PM

Medicine Hat Mayor Linnsie Clark has launched legal action in an attempt to reverse city council’s decision to take her powers away and expects to be in court by summer.

“I do not agree with the decision of council and I am seeking judicial review,” Clark said Wednesday as she addressed supporters and the media in front of city hall.

“That process will take several months and I will stand by that decision,” Clark continued, adding she hopes council removes its sanctions voluntarily before using taxpayer money for legal fees.

Council voted unanimously to remove Clark’s ability to chair meetings, set the agenda and other mayoral duties on March 21, saying she broke its code of conduct.

The sanctions, including cutting half her pay, were based on the findings of a third-party investigation by Kingsgate Legal into her treatment of City Manager Ann Mitchell at an August 2023 public meeting.

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As her legal process gets underway, Clark said she remains dedicated to working on behalf of residents.

“I intend to do the work that Hatters elected me to do alongside my council colleagues within the limitations council has imposed on my role,” Clark said.

Over 50 supporters listened to her address in-person Wednesday morning, with many of them cheering Clark on and asking questions after her speech concluded.

Clark on Wednesday also posted 47 pages of documents that show messages sent to the Kingsgate Legal investigator, administration staff at the city and her colleagues on council.

The documents posted by Clark show Mitchell at one point threatened to sue Clark for defamation over the Aug. 21 meeting and a confidential email sent to council, according to a letter from the mayor’s lawyer to the Kingsgate Legal investigator.

In the letter the investigator dated March 14, Clark’s lawyer wrote about several incorrect statements included in the report, six days before council sanctioned the mayor.

This is a developing story. More details to follow.