Jim Ogston

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Jim Ogston is a Canadian politician from Medicine Hat, Alberta.

Jim Ogston is known for leading a group that fought against the city's proposed adult bylaw. The bylaw would have restricted the right for businesses to sell pornography. At times he has been described as the "pro-pornography" candidate. The proposed restrictions were mainly that stores or businesses whose primary activities were adult in nature should be located in industrial areas of the city, away from residences and schools. There would also be a limitation on how close they could be together to avoid creating an "adult" district. Ultimately, the forces led by Ogston were defeated and the restrictions were made into law.

Mr Ogston's opposition to the law were not based on any pro-pornography beliefs but what was perceived as a flaw in how the law was enacted. Mr Ogston claims that counsel had ignored what was supposted to be a free and open pulic discussion on the matter but instead decided to enact a bylaw that would affect certain businesses without first giving those businesses a chance to make their case. Thus, his argument isn't pro porn but pro open debate. Porn just happened to be the issue at hand. The team lead Mr. Ogston never considered itself as "pro-pornography."

Groups in favour of the bylaw restricting the sale of adult material felt that free choice was not being limited. The pornographic items would still be for sale. However, the pro-bylaw groups felt that community standards were being enforced and that pornographic materials or businesses should not be located near schools or homes. Their argument was that living next to an adult store or having your children go to school near one could be bothersome for some people, so that by restricting this good community standards would be reinforced.

[edit] 2004 Civic Elections

Mr. Ogston ran for council in Medicine Hat in 2001 and was defeated. In 2004 he ran again and was again defeated, finishing well out of the running. Mr. Ogston was in the bottom third of candidates for total votes gained. His stance on the pornography issue failed to capture the voters' backing and instead candidates who had supported the bylaw were returned to office. Thus, it would appear that most of the citizens of Medicine Hat have embraced the restrictions on pornography and agree with limiting where adult businesses can be located in Medicine Hat.