Medicine Hat Minute: Election Year, Shelter Location, and a Budget Amendment Process

Medicine Hat Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Medicine Hat politics

This Week In Medicine Hat:

• There will be a meeting of City Council this afternoon, beginning with a closed session at 3:45 pm. During this portion of the meeting, Council will discuss Integrity Commissioner Evaluations. When the meeting opens up to the public, around 6:30 pm, the agenda includes a formal process for budget amendments outside of the approved budget.
  
  
• Medicine Hat is initiating its 2025 municipal election process by releasing candidate nomination forms, despite delays from the Province in updating required documentation. Changes under the Municipal Affairs Statutes Amendment Act include a new notice of intent form for candidates, while criminal record checks are now optional and not required in Medicine Hat. The election is set for October 20th, 2025. Candidate forms are available online, but pending Provincial updates, additional information may need to be submitted.
  
  
• Speaking of the election, declarations are already being made. Two residents have already declared their intention to run for office while most current Council members remain undecided. Calvin Maltin, a local business owner, plans to run for Mayor, while Stephen Campbell has announced his bid for Council. Both candidates have yet to submit formal nomination papers, as the process requires gathering signatures and meeting other requirements. Councillors Andy McGrogan and Ramona Robins say they are not running again, while Mayor Linnsie Clark and the rest of the Councillors have yet to say either way.

Last Week In Medicine Hat:

• The City and the Province have acknowledged that the Mustard Seed's two current locations are "not ideal" and are exploring options to centralize its services in a single, non-residential area. The joint statement, signed by City and provincial leaders, follows concerns about communication surrounding the relocation plans. Local residents near the Allowance Avenue shelter have raised complaints about the impact of the shelter's operations on the neighbourhood. Efforts to find a new location are underway, though no proposed sites have been disclosed. The Mustard Seed recently added temporary shelter spaces at its Flats location at the Alberta government's request.
  
  
• The Medicine Hat Public Library announced the opening of a new WhisperRoom, a sound isolation booth designed to provide a quiet space for patrons, thanks to a donation from the Sameshima family. The booth offers an ideal environment for activities such as audio recording, music practice, and peaceful study sessions. Inspired by their love for music and libraries, the Sameshima family supported the project after learning about the library’s plans to acquire quiet meeting booths. The WhisperRoom will be available for booking starting today, with a second larger booth, designed for meetings, arriving in the coming weeks.
  
  
• It was announced that Medicine Hat will host the Alberta Chamber’s policy conference in May 2025, coinciding with the 125th anniversary of the Medicine Hat Board of Trade, now known as the Southeast Alberta Chamber of Commerce. The event, scheduled from May 29th to 31st, is expected to bring approximately 150 business leaders to the city. The event joins a year of notable local milestones, including anniversaries for the Esplanade, Co-op Place, and the Medicine Hat News.

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