Medicine Hat Minute: Issue 245

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

📅 This Week In Medicine Hat: 📅

• This afternoon, at 2:00 pm, there will be a meeting of the Public Services Committee. The Committee will receive a presentation on “Momentum”, the Medicine Hat Community Well-Being Plan. Adopted in May 2025, it is a 10-year strategy aimed at building a “connected, healthy, and vibrant community” where residents feel safe, economically secure, and included. The plan is organized around 7 foundational pillars - Basic Needs, Safety, Education, Employment, Health, Equity, and Connection - and outlines 9 strategic objectives supported by 52 potential actions. Achievements so far include measures to reduce poverty through a Residential Tax Exemption Bylaw and the “Rec and Ride” program, initiatives to enhance community safety and combat misinformation, development of health and wellness programs for older adults, economic programs like the City Centre Vibrancy Program, and steps toward reconciliation with an Indigenous Relations Coordinator and cultural humility training. Resident engagement has grown with the establishment of Neighbourhood Associations and civic sessions for new Canadians. Implementation is backed by $150,000 in the 2026 Community Development budget, and progress will be tracked publicly via a website dashboard, with flexibility to adjust tactics as community needs change.
  
  
• The Committee will also receive the Medicine Hat Fire & Emergency Services (MHFES) 2025 Year In Review Report. 2025 marked MHFES’ 125th anniversary. Under Fire Chief Chad Eakins, the department managed a $19-million budget and responded to 5,128 incidents with an average emergency response time of 6 minutes, 18 seconds. Key achievements included saving $30.7 million of $34.4 million in property affected by fires, conducting over 2,100 life safety checks, and delivering 13,000 hours of specialized training. The department also celebrated its anniversary with public events and commemorative displays. Challenges included fleet supply delays, increases in opioid-related emergencies and fires at encampments, and lithium-ion battery hazards. Looking ahead, MHFES plans to operationalize Next Generation 911, integrate new incident management software, expand public education, and advocate for a regional training facility to strengthen multi-agency emergency response.
  
  
• In 2025, the City of Medicine Hat sold 42 single-family lots and 9 duplex lots across three subdivisions - Ranchlands 3B, Saamis Heights 7, and Southlands 6 A-C - generating $5.1 million in revenue. The sales report, presented to the Energy, Land, and Environment Committee, was the first under the City’s updated Land and Real Estate Policy, which aims to maximize economic, social, and environmental benefits from City-owned land. The policy emphasizes leveraging the City’s portfolio for value, adapting to development opportunities, and using proactive marketing and sales strategies. Last year, the City also managed over 150 leases, all renewals or reassignments, with no new acquisitions. Medicine Hat has more than 200 properties spanning residential, commercial, agricultural, and community-use parcels across 5,000 acres.
  
  
• In March, Medicine Hat City Councillors are set to review an updated whistleblower policy designed to allow anonymous third-party reporting within City Hall. The proposed changes, stemming from a motion by former Councillor Shila Sharps, would extend reporting eligibility to contractors, suppliers, and members of the public, introduce an independent anonymous reporting mechanism, strengthen anti-retaliation protections, and provide council with annual anonymized reports on disclosures and outcomes. The policy will also incorporate updates to the City’s fraud policy and be overseen by the corporate services division, with the Audit Committee providing oversight due to its role in internal controls and risk management. Staff aim to finalize a third-party provider through a request-for-proposal process and implement the reporting system, including a dedicated website, by April. The updates are intended to enhance transparency, accountability, and protection for those reporting wrongdoing.
  
  
• Animal Pound Services in Medicine Hat is nearing capacity, with 18 of its 21 permanent dog kennels currently occupied. This pressure follows a recent transition in service providers from APARC to the City of Medicine Hat, which has caused some public confusion regarding the facility’s location and social media updates. To encourage adoptions and manage space, the pound is offering a 25% discount on fees for adult and senior dogs until February 28th. While the facility remains open to new arrivals, staff utilize a formal application process to ensure pets find permanent, compatible homes. Residents are also encouraged to prioritize spaying, neutering, and updating microchip data to assist with swift animal reunions. Located at 3184 Gershaw Dr. SW, the facility currently lacks exterior signage for visitors.

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

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