Key Resources to Understand Municipal Operations

In order for municipal candidates to have equal opportunity to information, the City provides direct access to information through our website, rather than through City staff.

This page links to a variety of resources that can help candidates learn more about City of Medicine Hat operations; from long-term strategic planning resources, to recent updates on projects and initiatives.


Strategic Plan & Business Planning

Every new Council sets a Strategic Plan for their four-year term. Departments build their budgets and business plans in accordance with this direction. The budgets and business plans provide in depth data about the proposed projects, initiatives and costs for both short term and long-range plans.

The Annual Report provides a timely, in-depth and informative look at how departments are meeting the objectives of the Strategic Plan.

For those wanting to look closely at the Financial Reports, the quarterly Audit Committee meetings offer a wealth of analysis and data.


Invest Medicine Hat

Invest Medicine Hat (IMH) helps new, expanding and relocating businesses access markets and business resources in Medicine Hat, facilitating economic vitality and vibrancy in the community and the region.


The Municipal Development Plan

The Municipal Development Plan outlines how land will be used and guides future growth within Medicine Hat over the next 30 years. It is based on a 50 year vision for the City's overall growth and development. It also provides broad policy direction the types of land uses within the City. The MDP provides direction on how development is expected to occur and how decisions on development are made. The MDP provides the policy basis for Area Structure Plans (ASP's), Area Redevelopment Plans (ARP's) and the Land Use Bylaw (LUB). The current MDP has been in effect since 2020.


Master Plans

The City is guided by a variety of long range master plans which include cycling, recreation, fire services and land planning.


Provincial legislation

All municipalities are governed by the Municipal Government Act. The council is the governing body of the municipal corporation and the custodian of its powers, both legislative and administrative. The Municipal Government Act (MGA) provides that councils can only exercise the powers of the municipal corporation in the proper form, either by bylaw or resolution.

City of Medicine Hat Police Service is governed by the Police Act, through the Medicine Hat Police Commission.


Women in Municipal Government

Women play a vital role in municipal government. Studies have shown that diversity improves an organization's effectiveness. Leadership groups with a diversity of opinions, backgrounds and lived experiences help to make better decisions.


Stay up to date

Candidates can visit the City of Medicine Hat website to stay up to date and informed. You'll find recent and upcoming meetings and agendas, highlights of the last Council meeting, announcements from the City Newsroom and links to our social media.