Neat to Know: April 16, 2026 | City of Medicine Hat

Apr 16, 2026

Neat to Know is a roundup of City news, updates, and other important information. You can expect to see the week's most interesting content and even some that may have not been delivered through our regular channels.

Draft Land Use Bylaw

The Land Use Bylaw Refresh is updating Medicine Hat’s land use regulations to better reflect how the community has grown and how it will develop into the future. The project has included ongoing engagement with residents, industry groups, and stakeholders through events, surveys, and draft reviews.

We recently created a What We Heard Report which summarizes key themes, including a desire for clearer rules, improved certainty, and better alignment with the City’s long-term vision.

The next steps are to bring the draft Land Use Bylaw and zoning map to City Council through the legislated process for consideration this summer.

Emergency exercise happening at Co-op Place

Our Emergency Management Team is coordinating an active assailant drill at Co-op Place on Monday, April 20. While emergency vehicles and personnel will be on site, this is a planned exercise and there is no real incident or threat to the public.

Read our news release to learn more about the drill and what to expect.

National Volunteer Week events

We've announced a full slate of volunteer appreciation events to celebrate National Volunteer Week on April 19 to 25, 2026! The 2026 theme, Ignite Volunteerism, reflects a powerful call to action. It invites communities to spark new energy for volunteering, connection, passion, and participation— to ensure volunteers feel valued, supported, and inspired.

There are seven exciting event opportunities spread over six days for you to enjoy!

Read our news release to check out the full schedule.

Volunteer opportunity: Special Olympics Canada Summer Games

Speaking of volunteering: have you signed up to be part of something unforgettable when the Special Olympics Canada Summer Games come to Medicine Hat August 11-16?

More than 1,500 volunteers are required to make these Games possible. From welcoming athletes and guests to managing logistics and creating unforgettable moments, volunteers play a vital role in every corner of the Games experience.

Register here: https://www.socmedhat2026.ca/volunteers or visit the volunteer registration booth at the 100 Days Out party on May 2 (learn more in the events section below).

Fibre optics installation

F3 Networks Canada Inc., an external service provider, will begin installing a fibre optic network in Medicine Hat in 2026. F3 has a commercial agreement with TELUS to bring this fibre optic network to homes and businesses around the community. The project will be completed at no cost to residents and business owners.

Weather permitting, work is expected to begin early May 2026. Fibre optic installation is anticipated to be complete by late August 2027. Timelines are subject to change.

Please note:

This is not a City-led project
All inquiries should be directed to F3 as project leaders

We’re supporting public awareness by sharing project information however, F3 will provide direct communication to affected residential and commercial properties.

Visit our Fibre Optics Installation page to learn more about the project including:

How to contact F3
What to expect before, during and after construction
The property access and permission process
The installation process
And more

CFB Suffield prescribed burns

The Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Suffield will be conducting prescribed burns within the Range and Training Areas between April 13 and 30, 2026, weather permitting.

These burns are part of CFB Suffield’s fire mitigation plan and are conducted to reduce grassy overgrowth that could otherwise contribute to uncontrolled grass fires.

These controlled fires may result in visible smoke in surrounding areas during this period. Public concerns may be reported to CFB Suffield Range Control at 403-544-4310 or the nearest fire service if immediate assistance is required.

Advancing Southeast Alberta's Agri-food Economy

The City of Medicine Hat, in collaboration with Cypress County, the County of Forty Mile, the Town of Bow Island and Town of Redcliff, and the Village of Foremost, has released What We Heard – Summary of Key Findings from their Regional Agriculture and Agri-food Investment Strategy for Southeast Alberta.

Agriculture and agri-food are priority sectors for Southeast Alberta, with significant opportunities to attract investment and strengthen long-term regional economic growth. The strategy is one of 17 initiatives currently being advanced that were identified in the Southeast Alberta Economic Opportunity Strategy and Framework.

Read our news release for more information on this announcement and to read the full what we heard report.

50/50 Raffle: Help Special Olympics Canada Summer Games Medicine Hat get across the finish line

The fundraising push for the Special Olympics Canada Summer Games is nearing the finish line with a special 50/50 Raffle (licence #772225).

Ticket bundles are now on sale, ranging from 1 ticket for $10 up to 100 for $100. There are limited quantities of tickets at each price point, with only 49 of the $10 bundles, up to 700 of a $50 bundle which includes 30 chances to win. The deadline to purchase is July 30 and the winner will be drawn July 31, 2026 at Co-op Place, the site of the Games’ opening ceremonies.

With a $3.8 million budget, the upcoming Games are the biggest multi-sport event in Medicine Hat’s history. An estimated 1,700 participants, 1,500 volunteers, and thousands of family, friends, and fans will visit Medicine Hat for the 10-sport event.

Get your tickets today: www.rafflebox.ca/raffle/socmedhat2026.

April 7, 2026 City Council Meeting

City Council met on April 7, 2026, to discuss key initiatives impacting Medicine Hat. Highlights include first reading of several tax-related bylaws, including the 2026 Property Tax Rate Bylaw. Council approved enhancements to the electric utility rate class and meter framework to improve customer experience and transparency. Council also approved funding for numerous community events and initiatives through the 2026 Community Vibrancy Grants, directed staff to prepare a comprehensive Urban Hens bylaw, and approved of a new Public Participation Policy.

Read the highlights | Watch the meeting

Free compost giveaway & battery recycling

Saturday, Apr. 18 | 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. | 1453 Hutchinson Ave SE

This Saturday, we’re hosting the first of three free compost giveaway days in 2026!

New for 2026: This year, you can also come recycle your used household batteries. We’ll have a station on-site to allow for safe and proper battery recycling.

Bring a shovel and container, and come grab up to 10 gallons of compost per household.

Can’t make it on April 18? Our other days are Saturday, May 9 and Saturday, Sept. 12 – same time, same place.

Our SureGrow multi-purpose compost is an all-natural soil amendment produced that we produce from materials in our annual organics collection program. Learn more about it at medicinehat.ca/suregrow.

And, if you have household batteries lying around and want to recycle them outside of these three events, visit RecycleYourBatteries.ca to find a recycling location near you.

Earth Day, Litter Blitz thank-you BBQ

Saturday, Apr. 18 | 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. | Police Point Park Nature Centre

Our annual Litter Blitz campaign concludes this Saturday with a free barbecue hosted by our Parks and Recreation department, with support from HAT Smart.

The barbecue will be part of the Medicine Hat Interpretive Program’s (MHIP) Earth Day event in Police Point Park. The barbecue is a gesture to recognize the hard work and community contributions of this year’s Litter Blitz participants.

The MHIP’s Earth Day event is Saturday, April 18 from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. The appreciation barbecue runs from 1:30 to 3:30 p.m., or while supplies last.

Community Day at BMGC

Saturday, Apr. 25 | 12 to 4 p.m. | Big Marble Go Centre

Join us for a full afternoon of FREE family fun—made possible by CF Industries as they celebrate their 50th anniversary! We have a high-energy day packed with activities for all ages, this is one you won’t want to miss!

💦 Free swimming (two swim times available) – secure your spot and get tickets at Tixx.ca!
🎯 Nerf Wars
👶 Tot Time
🏰 Bouncy castles
🎲 Yard Games
…and more to explore!

Bring your friends and family and spend the day making memories together. No admission required—just show up and join the fun.

Let’s play, connect, and celebrate our community!

100 Days Out Party: Special Olympics Canada Summer Games

Saturday, May 2 | 2 p.m. | Medicine Hat Exhibition and Stampede Grounds

Medicine Hat is having a party to commemorate the Special Olympics Canada Summer Games being only 100 days away.

The entire community is invited to the free Saturday, May 2 event at the Medicine Hat Stampede Grounds, which will feature a concert band, athlete ambassadors and organizers, food, and mini-games to get into the spirit. May 2 is 100 days prior to the Games’ opening ceremonies, set for Aug. 11.

Registration is not required. Just show up and party!

Medicine Hat 2026 Special Olympics

Want to see more upcoming events, programming and activities? View all options at City of Medicine Hat facilities:

Bird e-scooters are back

Bird e-scooters have returned for the 2026 season! We’re excited to welcome Bird back to the city, giving residents and visitors another fun and convenient way to get around.

In 2025, Hatters enjoyed 22,977 rides on Bird scooters, travelling a total of 57,059 kilometres!

Whether you are heading to an event, exploring the trails, or just enjoying the sunshine, e-scooters are a fantastic way to see the city at your own pace.

Visit our website to learn more about how to download the app and book your ride, as well as how to ride smart and safely around the city.

Tax Talk: No deficit allowed

Unlike other levels of government, municipalities are unable to plan deficit budgets. To achieve a balanced budget, the City must ensure expenses do not exceed funding.

Once all other sources of revenue are exhausted (like grants, fees, licenses and fines), municipal property taxes are the main source of revenue used to fund essential city programs, services, and infrastructure.

The City of Medicine Hat’s approved 2025-2026 budget requires $99.88 million in tax revenue.

It is now up to Council to determine how to fund that amount through a variety of options that distribute the amount across residential and commercial properties or even considering other means such as service reductions or drawing from reserves.

Tax rates must be approved by City Council by May 4.

To view all our career opportunities at the City of Medicine Hat, visit our Careers webpage and sign up for job alerts.

Lifeguard

Temporary | Casual | On-site

Dive into an exciting opportunity with The City of Medicine Hat!

We're looking for enthusiastic individuals to join our team as Lifeguards. This role is your chance to ensure the safety and enjoyment of our community at our aquatic facilities.

Bring your energy, leadership, and lifesaving skills to a team that values growth, teamwork, and fun!

Learn more and apply on our Careers webpage.

Storekeeper 1

Temporary (8 weeks) | Full-time | On-site

Are you organized, dependable, and ready to roll up your sleeves? The City of Medicine Hat is looking for a Storekeeper 1 for a temporary, position funded through the Canada Summer Jobs (CSJ) program.

This is a great opportunity to gain hands-on experience in a dynamic warehouse setting while supporting the essential services that keep our city running smoothly.

If you're a motivated self-starter who enjoys physical work and learning new skills, this opportunity is for you!

Learn more and apply on our Careers webpage.

Police Clerk 1

Temporary | Casual | On-site

Join the Medicine Hat Police Service as a Police Clerk 1, where your attention to detail and professionalism will directly support front-line policing and community safety.

In this role, you'll play a critical part in managing police records, preparing legal documentation, and ensuring information is processed accurately and securely across specialized police systems.

This role operates on a 24/7 rotating schedule aligned with police operations and requires a high degree of flexibility.

Learn more and apply on our Careers webpage.

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