Neat to Know: July 10, 2025
Your weekly roundup of City news, updates, and other important information.
What to do when emergency vehicles are behind you
When you see an emergency vehicle with its siren on, be aware and be ready to pull to the right — if it’s safe to do so.
Medicine Hat Fire and Emergency Services responded to two major incidents this week and many drivers were unsure what to do when MHFES were behind them.
Confusion on the roads can be dangerous and can slow down emergency response times. We encourage you to take a moment and watch the video linked below to refresh your knowledge of the rules of the road.
MHFES would like to thank the Alberta Motor Association for creating the helpful video that clearly explains what to do when an emergency vehicle is behind you.
National Lineworker Appreciation Day
Today, on National Lineworker Appreciation Day, we share a tribute to our lineworkers! Their work may often go unseen, but their impact is tremendous.
Check out our most recent Municipal Matters article from James Stefanuk, Superintendent of Electric Distribution Operations, as he sheds a light on the invaluable behind-the-scenes work they do to keep our lights on.
Adopt-a-tree
Medicine Hat is home to a beautiful network of around 24,000 publicly owned trees, with many more along the river valley and in environmental reserves.
Our Parks and Recreation team cares for as many as they can as part of their efforts to beautify our community.
Due to the sheer amount of trees in our urban forest, some of them along roadways, boulevards, and medians are left to fend for themselves – often in tougher conditions than trees in green spaces.
Do you have a big, beautiful tree on public property near your place and want to lend a helping hand?
Sign up for our Adopt-a-tree program!
Residents who sign up for the program will be asked to provide their tree(s) with an amount of water appropriate to its age and size.
One watering per week is ideal, but even one or two per month is a big boost to help maintain our tree canopy – especially as we get into the hottest days of the year.
Learn more about what the program is about and sign up on our website.
Community Vibrancy Grant applications close July 18
A reminder that the Community Vibrancy Grant application window is open until Friday, July 18 at 3 p.m.
The application intake has two funding streams: Community Project and Activities and Annual Festivals and Special Events. The Community Project and Activities stream has $52,000 in available funds for 2026. The Annual Festivals and Special Events stream, for larger-scale events, has two-years of funding available. There is $83,000 available for 2026, and $83,000 is available for 2027.
Visit our grants webpage for more information, including grant criteria and how to apply.
Downtown underpass closure – Tunnel Vision
The downtown pedestrian underpass will have a two-day closure the weekend of July 12-13 to accommodate some new artwork as part of Tunnel Vision and Mural Fest.
July 7, 2025 City Council Meeting
City Council held a well-attended, marathon meeting around the horseshoe Monday night. During the July 7 meeting, Council heard from residents as part of a non-statutory public hearing for the Transportation Master Plan. City Council also voted to approve and ratify a contract for the International Association of Electrical Workers, and more.
Read the meeting highlights and watch the full meeting below.
Hill Yeah! Park & Pool Party
Monday, July 14 | 4-8 p.m. | Hill Park and Pool
Enjoy a poolside DJ, pool games, backyard games and other activities, a barbecue supported by the Division Safeway, and much more! This free event is open to all. Get ready for:
Get ready for:
We’re ready to party! Check out all the exciting event details below.
New candidate information for voters
We have offered the opportunity for all candidates in the 2025 Municipal election to submit their elections website and/or social media pages.
Candidates' respective elections information will be added to our election candidates page as links are submitted.
Check out the Candidate List page on the election section of our website below for more information.
Want to work the 2025 Municipal Election?
Want to contribute to your community and be part of the democratic process for the 2025 Municipal Election in Medicine Hat?
The City of Medicine Hat is hiring a variety of paid temporary positions to support the upcoming Municipal Election on October 20, 2025.
We're looking for dedicated individuals to fill the following roles:
- Poll Supervisor (Presiding Deputy Returning Officer)
- Assistant Poll Supervisor (Assistant Supervising Officer)
- Ballot Clerk (Deputy Returning Officer)
- Registration Clerk (Registration Officer)
- Counting Assistant
Echo Dale Boat Lake aeration
We’ll be installing an aeration system at Echo Dale Boat Lake next week, which will require a brief mid-week closure of the lake.
This aeration system will help improve water quality in the lake for aquatic life and public use.
The boat lake will be closed Tuesday, July 15 and Wednesday, July 16 to accommodate this installation.
We look forward to completing this work and re-opening the lake well in advance of the weekend!
Mountain bike trail bridge work
The beautiful section of trail between Gas City Campground and Echo Dale Regional Park is getting a couple of great upgrades this season!
We’ll be repairing two bridges to enhance the structures and ensure the popular trail remains safe for years to come.
Work on the first bridge, located near EDRP, will begin Monday, July 14. View the attached map to see which section of trail is affected, and how to navigate around the construction area.
Construction on the second bridge, located near GCC, is set for mid-August. The exact start date will be provided closer to that time. View the attached map to see which section of trail is affected, and how to navigate around the construction area.
Signage will be present for riders approaching these bridges, and most of this section of trail will still be accessible from either Echo Dale or Gas City Campground during the work.
However, we’re still pleased to offer over 180 kilometres of paths and trails around the city to access!
Those looking for an easy, moderate, or advanced unpaved trail experience can find an abundance of options on our Heritage Trail Network map.
Heritage Trail Network Map
Transit rider surveys
The North Zone Pilot for Medicine Hat Transit Routes 10 and 11 have been altered with enhanced hours, removing Route 12. This pilot will run from June 26 to August 28. During that time, we are seeking feedback from users on your preference and experience.
Transit’s Saturday service has been extended by two hours and Sunday service added to Route 56. Transit is looking to add service for statutory holidays. Take the survey to share your top three preferences for statutory holiday service starting in the fall.
Major increase in Microgrant applications
Last year we approved 32 applications within our Community Microgrants program! This was an increase of 68 per cent over 2023.
The purpose of these microgrants is to foster connections in the community through neighbourhood or community gatherings and activities.
After an incredible uptake in 2024, an additional $10,000 was added to the Neighbourhood Connections microgrant stream in 2025 following a recommendation from the Community Vibrancy Advisory Board!
The neighbourhood connections stream supports building neighbourhoods and fostering social connection and inclusion.
Microgrants have been used for block parties, community beautification gatherings, workshops, BBQs, concerts, and cultural celebrations! Community Microgrants are available up to $500.
The grant intake is ongoing, and applicants are encouraged to apply for funding at any time throughout the year.
Apply for an event in your neighbourhood today!
Invasive Weed of the Week
The urge to purge Spurge
As we highlighted in our June 19 Municipal Matters article on Integrated Pest Management (IPM), there are a host of noxious invasive plant species that our IPM program works to control and reduce in Medicine Hat.
We’ll be highlighting five of the most prevalent noxious invasive species in a five-week Invasive Weed of the Week feature. Up first:
Leafy Spurge
Plant facts:
- Leafy spurge is a long-lived perennial that was introduced as either an ornamental or crop seed contaminant in the early 1800s.
- It reproduces primarily by re-sprouting from its extensive, persistent, creeping root system, but also by seed.
- Leafy spurge roots can reach 4.5 metres laterally and about nine metres deep.
- A large plant can produce up to 130,000 seeds.
Why do we control this weed?
- All parts of the plant contain a milky-coloured latex that causes skin irritation on humans. It has also been known to poison livestock.
- In areas where we have reduced or removed invasive species, we’ve noticed native species coming back and flourishing.
How do we control it?
- We’ve used goats before, and we are currently using Copper Leafy Spurge Flea Beetles in Police Point Park as natural techniques proven to reduce the presence of the plant.
- We also will spot spray in areas that support pesticide use. Spot spraying ensures only the targeted species is sprayed.
- Unfortunately, once Leafy Spurge is established, hand-pulling and mowing are ineffective techniques.
Want to learn more?
Read more about Leafy Spurge on the Alberta Invasive Species Council’s website.
To view all our career opportunities at the City of Medicine Hat, visit our website and sign up for job alerts.
Food Service Supervisor - Back of House
Join the City of Medicine Hat as a Food Service Supervisor - Back of House!
This position will help showcase your culinary expertise, leadership skills, and passion for excellence, while helping shape unforgettable guest experiences.
From concerts to community events, you'll be the operational force that ensures smooth kitchen coordination and quality service at Co-op Place.
Superintendent - Engineering (Planning)
Are you passionate about land development, municipal servicing, and leading people? Join our team as Superintendent - Engineering (Planning)!
This role will lead a team of professional engineers and technologists who guide the delivery of engineering services that directly support community planning, subdivision design, and infrastructure development.
The team helps shape one of Alberta's most vibrant and evolving communities – this is your chance to leave a lasting mark on the city's future growth and sustainability!
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Media Relations
580 1 St SE
Medicine Hat, Alberta
T1A 8E6
403-529-8100
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