Medicine Hat Minute: Emergency Plan, New Diploma, and the Transportation Master Plan

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

This Week In Medicine Hat:

• There will be a City Council Meeting this evening at 3:45 pm. As usual, the meeting begins with a closed session. Away from the public eye, Council will discuss an Economic Development Business Matter, an Energy Business Matter, and Council Strategy and Policy Development. When the meeting opens up to the public at 6:30 pm, the agenda includes a multi-year tax incentive program for multiple-unit housing projects and a non-profit operating grant program. Also up for discussion is a bylaw that directs Administration to publish, twice per year, in the spring and fall, all Senior Administration expenses.
  
  
• There will be a meeting of the Emergency Advisory Committee on Tuesday at 4:00 pm. The Associate Director of Emergency Management will provide a presentation on the 2025 Community Emergency Preparedness Plan.
  
  
• Kelly Allard is the first candidate to register for Medicine Hat’s 2025 municipal election, having previously run in 2021 and placed 14th out of 33 candidates. She decided to run again due to concerns over transparency in Council, particularly following sanctions against Mayor Linnsie Clark. Allard criticized Administration’s influence over Council, arguing that elected officials should feel free to ask questions without fear. Her platform includes improving transit accessibility, revitalizing Riverside Veterans’ Memorial Park, and addressing housing issues by seeking an alternative to the Mustard Seed. She also believes Council should be more engaged, expressing concern that too much responsibility is being delegated to City staff.

Last Week In Medicine Hat:

• Analysis work has begun on the Saamis Solar Park project, but it remains unclear whether a final budget proposal will go to Council before the municipal election. The City purchased the project from DP Energy after securing regulatory approval and is now exploring design, funding, and transmission options. The project will be developed in phases, starting with 75 megawatts, though it could eventually reach 325 megawatts. City officials estimate costs at around $120 million but emphasize that this figure is subject to change. The Medicine Hat Utility Ratepayers Association has raised concerns about transparency and financial viability, with a meeting scheduled with City officials on April 15th.
  
  
• The City’s updated Transportation Master Plan was unveiled at two open houses. It proposes narrowing lanes and adding multi-use trails to Kingsway Avenue and Third Street NW in Riverside, similar to last year’s changes on Division Avenue. The plan, last revised in 2012, prioritizes active transportation and outlines long-term infrastructure upgrades based on population growth and traffic patterns. The City’s 2025-2026 budget includes $1.5 million for planning Third Street upgrades, with an estimated total cost of $7.5 million, while Kingsway Avenue may be reduced to three lanes. Additional projects include widening major roads, improving sidewalks, and integrating cycling corridors into the trail system. A separate transit master plan, downtown parking study, and goods movement evaluation will also guide future development. Some projects could take decades to complete, depending on funding and coordination with Alberta Transportation.
  
  
• Medicine Hat College has launched a new Pharmacy Technician diploma program, making it the only post-secondary institution in southern Alberta to offer this in-demand training. The two-year program, approved by the province last week, will use NorQuest College’s nationally accredited curriculum with a focus on regional practicums and work-integrated learning. Students will gain hands-on experience with industry-standard technology and learn to prepare and dispense medications under pharmacist supervision. While initial enrollment will be limited, the college hopes to expand the program as it becomes established.

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