‘Humbled’: Voters re-elect embattled mayor of Medicine Hat after council conflict

Medicine Hat Mayor Linnsie Clark is seen in Medicine Hat, Alta. on Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2025. (THE CANADIAN PRESS/Bill Graveland)

The embattled mayor of Medicine Hat, Alta., fresh off her re-election campaign, says she hopes her council can undergo conflict resolution training after a tumultuous 18 months.

Linnsie Clark says she hopes councillors can learn more about human resources matters going forward and that she herself still has work to do in the next four years.

In March 2024, councillors determined Clark breached the city’s code of conduct bylaw by failing to treat city manager Ann Mitchell with respect during a tense exchange at a council meeting.

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It later approved a list of sanctions that included suspending Clark’s duties and cutting her pay in half.

Months later, a Court of King’s Bench judge struck down most of the sanctions, describing the council’s decision as “disproportionate and unreasonable.”

Unofficial results show Clark defeated former provincial politician Drew Barnes by about 750 votes in Monday’s municipal election.

“Although the results are not yet final, it appears that the people of Medicine Hat have chosen to place their trust in me once again. I am deeply honoured and humbled,” Clark said in a statement.

“To every resident who engaged in this election, whether you voted for me or not, know that if elected I will continue to listen, collaborate, and work tirelessly for our entire community.”

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 22, 2025.

Bill Graveland, The Canadian Press