Medicine Hat Minute: Electricity Regulations, Shelter Spaces, and Budget Crunch Time

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

This Week In Medicine Hat:

• Today, there will be a meeting of City Council, beginning with a closed session at 4:00 pm. During the closed session, Council will discuss an Economic Development Business Matter, Appointments to Advisory Boards and Committees, and the Budget Process. When the meeting opens up to the public, there will be a Public Hearing to amend the Electric Utility Bylaw and the Gas Utility Bylaw. This is also Council’s last meeting before the new year - so the budget decision they deferred last week must be dealt with today.
  
  
• Changes to Alberta's electricity market regulations could add up to $100 million to the cost of the City of Medicine Hat's proposed Saamis Solar Park project. The Province is replacing a refundable transmission fee with a non-refundable, uncapped "transmission reinforcement payment," which could drastically increase the cost of the 325-megawatt solar farm. The City is still in the process of acquiring the rights to the project, despite concerns being raised by local groups.
  
  
• The Mustard Seed is adding 20 temporary shelter spaces to its Community Impact Centre to provide safe housing for vulnerable individuals during the winter, at the Province’s request. This expansion is a temporary measure. The organization is also collaborating with the City and Province on a long-term plan to centralize services at one location for better support.

Last Week In Medicine Hat:

• Pat Quinlan, president and managing partner of Medicine Hat's Sun City Ford, received the 2024 Alberta Dealer of Excellence Award from the Motor Dealers Association of Alberta. Quinlan, who has over 30 years of experience in the automotive industry, was recognized for his leadership and commitment to community involvement. He emphasized the importance of local businesses giving back, highlighting his dealership's support for community initiatives like team sponsorships and the "Hero of the Week" program. Quinlan expressed gratitude to his mentors and staff, noting that the dealership's success is built on strong relationships and a community-focused approach. His award is unique, as it is the only one given to a non-metro dealership outside Alberta’s major cities.
  
  
• Medicine Hat Economic Development said they have focused on business retention and expansion as a key strategy throughout the year, particularly in industries vital to the region's economy. In early 2024, they launched the Business Retention & Expansion - Industry Specific (BREIS) program to support local industries and foster regional collaboration. This initiative, which involves partnerships with various municipalities and organizations, includes industry roundtables and one-on-one surveys to assess business needs. They connected with 41% of manufacturing, warehousing, and distribution businesses and 88% of aerospace, aviation, and defence companies in Southeast Alberta, and early findings showed that 70% of surveyed businesses are planning growth within three years. A comprehensive action plan based on these insights will be released in early 2025.
  
  
• The Medicine Hat Tigers spread holiday cheer at Medicine Hat Regional Hospital by delivering teddy bears from the annual Teddy Bear Toss event. A group of 10 Tigers players, including leadership and rookies, visited various hospital rooms, sharing the bears with children and seniors. The Tigers’ visit brightened many patients' spirits. The remaining toys and winter items will be donated to local charities.

-----

Donate:

Common Sense Medicine Hat doesn't accept any government funding and never will. We think you should be free to choose, for yourself, which organizations to support. If you're in a position to contribute financially, you can make a donation here.

-----

Share:

If you're not in a position to donate, we understand, but if you appreciate our work, you can help by spreading our message. Please email this post to your friends, share it on Facebook or Twitter, and help make sure every Hatter knows what's really going on at City Hall.