Medicine Hat Minute: Issue 267

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

📅 This Week In Medicine Hat: 📅

• There are no City Council or Committee meetings scheduled this week. The next scheduled meeting is the Governance Committee on August 11th at 2:00 pm, with City Council returning on August 17th at 6:30 pm.
  
  
• The City of Medicine Hat has closed the swim lake at Echo Dale Regional Park for the rest of the 2026 season following the death of a child there in June. Leah Prestayko, Managing Director of Public Services, said keeping the lake closed is a necessary step while the City awaits the results of an independent review being conducted by the Lifesaving Society of Alberta and NWT Branch. All other amenities at the park remain open, and the City's two outdoor pools, Hill Pool and Strathcona Pool, continue to operate with free public swimming supported by the Kinsmen Club of Medicine Hat. The City also plans to proceed with a community-wide water safety campaign that had been developed before the incident. Parks and Recreation Director Scott Richter said more than 500 drowning deaths occurred nationally in each of 2020 and 2021, the highest levels since 2006. The City says it will share any recommended actions arising from the review once it is complete.
  
  
• Medicine Hat's growing aerospace and drone sector was on display at the Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede, where local companies and economic development organizations shared a booth at the Cypress Centre from July 22nd to July 25th. The Medicine Hat Uncrewed Aerial Vehicle and Aerospace Innovation Showcase brought together local innovators to highlight the region's role in Canada's autonomous systems industry. Selena McLean-Moore, Director of Medicine Hat Economic Development, said the region is home to a growing cluster of aerospace, defence and autonomous systems innovators. The City links the sector's growth to the area's proximity to Canadian Forces Base Suffield and Canada's early uncrewed aerial vehicle programs. 
  
  
• Speaking of drones, drone company Landing Zones, has signed a strategic partnership with Airbus Defence and Space to develop advanced uncrewed aerial systems. The agreement includes an investment from Airbus and a seat on the Landing Zones board of directors, and will see the local firm act as a dedicated representative for Airbus Defence and Space Services in Canada. Financial terms were not disclosed. Founder and Chief Executive Spence Fraser said the investment will accelerate the company's threat emulation technology aimed at countering modern drone threats. The deal follows an investment in Landing Zones in April by the Business Development Bank of Canada's StrongNorth Fund.
  
  
• Medicine Hat College has named Dr. B. Edward Benoit as the new dean of its School of Arts, Science and Education, with Benoit set to begin the role on August 15th. He brings nearly 25 years of experience in British Columbia's post-secondary sector, where he has worked as a faculty member, dean, and associate vice-president academic, most recently serving as Associate Vice-President, Academic at the College of New Caledonia. Benoit said he was drawn to the college's focus on accessible education and preparing students for careers or further studies. Vice-President Academic and Provost Nancy Brown said Benoit demonstrated a strong commitment to student success, collaboration, and community engagement throughout the search process. Benoit holds a Doctor of Education from Western University and a Master of Arts in History from McGill University.

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

🪙 This Week’s Sponsor: 🪙

This week's sponsor is you! We don't have big corporate backers, so if you like what you're reading, please consider making a donation or signing up as a monthly member.

Having said that, if you are a local business and are interested in being a sponsor, send us an email and we'll talk!