OpporTOURnity Highlights Career Opportunities and Community Connections

Hosted by Medicine Hat Economic Development, the program connected participants with employers in aerospace, defence, petrochemical manufacturing, municipal government, and other advanced industries, while also showcasing the lifestyle advantages that make Medicine Hat an increasingly attractive place to live and work. Developed in close partnership with leading local employers, the initiative aimed to address critical skill shortages by attracting top candidates from across Canada. More than a short-term recruitment effort, it was designed to show participants the value of building both a career and a life in Medicine Hat.

The experience began on the evening of May 7 with a networking mixer at Whiskey District, following months of preparation and a broad recruitment campaign. Selected by participating employers and regional partners, the top applicants arrived in Medicine Hat that morning and had the chance to meet local employers, community leaders—including several City Councillors and Mayor Linnsie Clark—and fellow participants in a relaxed setting before formal programming began the next day.

For many attendees, the experience exceeded expectations.

Rakshita, a recent chemical engineering graduate from the University of Alberta, said she came to Medicine Hat hoping to better understand both the community and the industries operating there. “I was expecting some sort of intercultural experience where I learned more about the community here as well as how the industries play a major role with the community as well.”

Another graduate, Rachel Fernandez, said the experience offered far more than she expected after first hearing about the program during a campus presentation in Edmonton. “I attended the presentation that was offered by Tracy Tawaih (Economic Development Officer with the City of Medicine Hat) at the U of A. So, coming in, I knew I was going to see the community and the industries that work within it, but other than that, I didn’t really know about the Sunshine Trolley and all those other experiences that we got. It blew my expectations out of the water.”

Tourism Medicine Hat’s Sunshine Trolley quickly became one of the event’s most memorable experiences for many participants. As Rakshita noted, “I really love the trolley – the Sunshine Trolley, yeah it was fun. I hadn’t [done anything like that before] so it was really cool.”

Beyond the trolley ride itself, the tour introduced candidates to Medicine Hat’s neighbourhoods, amenities, history, culture, and pace of life. Like Rachel, many were surprised by the city’s rich historical and cultural character. “Every minute there was a new date and a new building that is another cultural site that is protected by the municipality or the government. Just seeing how far the city has come from where it started and how far it’s grown was actually the most interesting part of the Sunshine Trolley.”

Others were drawn to Medicine Hat’s lifestyle advantages—particularly its affordability, sunshine, and slower pace compared with larger urban centres. Michael, a construction project manager originally from Nigeria who now lives in Toronto, said the experience significantly changed his perception of the community.

“A lot of what I learned makes me want to move here. Considering the community, the location, and the industries, it seems like a great place.” He also pointed to housing affordability and job opportunities as major draws. “The accommodation… is pretty low as compared to Ontario, Toronto where I live, and the opportunities I see – they are looking to hire a lot of people here.”

These qualities also resonate with many immigrants already living in Medicine Hat, several of whom were involved in the initiative. As Economic Development’s Lisa Galecki put it: “I think it’s pretty obvious to most of us who get to work here, and live here, how great this community is – but when you see it like that, it’s a whole different matter. It just reminds me why I’m proud to live, work, and play here.”

For several candidates, Medicine Hat’s appeal extended beyond employment to the promise of community and balance. Rakshita explained that, as an international student, a strong sense of community was especially important as she considered where to build her future. “I think a strong sense of community is something I would look forward to in a new place that I’m moving into.”

Rachel echoed that sentiment, saying that after experiencing life in larger cities, Medicine Hat’s close-knit atmosphere felt increasingly appealing. “Been there, done that big city life. Moving forward, I’d like something more close knit… going into a store and seeing people on a whim. I think that’s something Medicine Hat delivers.”

Emphatic Employers Event Evaluations

Throughout the event, candidates had opportunities to engage directly with employers from some of the region’s largest and most innovative industries. For participating employers, the event was not only a chance to recruit talent, but also to share Medicine Hat’s story.

Rachel Collin, Senior HR Advisor at CF Industries, noted how important initiatives like this are for smaller communities outside major urban centres such as Calgary and Edmonton. “Medicine Hat, we are tucked away and sometimes I think people forget who we are and what we are. We’re always hoping to really get our name out there and let people know what a great community Medicine Hat is too.”

She added that many of the participating candidates left a strong impression. “They’ve been super friendly, super outgoing… keen to find work. It’s been really nice to get to know who they are, what they do, and what they’re passionate about.”

David Sabanos, Director of Business Operations at QinetiQ Target Systems Canada, emphasized the value of promoting Medicine Hat as a place to build a life—not just awareness of the region and its opportunities.

“The presentation and package today painted a really compelling case why moving to Medicine Hat is not just about the job, but it’s about a lifestyle. We didn’t have any current vacancies, but we found the initiative that Medicine Hat Economic Development was taking to be really powerful… something we wanted to participate in and support fully.”

The event also reinforced that talent attraction is about more than posting jobs. Employers and organizers emphasized that quality of life, affordability, community, and access to meaningful career opportunities all help smaller cities compete for talent.