Neat to Know: June 11, 2026

Jun 11, 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.

Rec & Ride is back!

Following a highly successful inaugural season, the City of Medicine Hat's Parks and Recreation department, Medicine Hat Transit, and the YMCA of Southeastern Alberta are proud to once again partner to offer the Rec & Ride Youth Pass this summer.

The 2026 Rec & Ride Youth Pass is available to purchase for just $50 starting Monday, June 15 at Big Marble Go Centre. The program will run from June 26 through September 4.

Read our news release to learn more about the program heading into year two.

Upcoming multi-agency training exercise

A full-scale multi-agency training exercise is happening in the afternoon on Wednesday, June 17 at CF Industries.

This is a planned exercise and not related to any real emergency.

CF Industries will be working with multiple assisting agencies, including the City of Medicine Hat, to test their coordinated emergency response practices.

What you may see/hear:

Alarms and sirens at the facility outside of the usual Tuesday noontime testing
Emergency response vehicle traffic on Box Springs Road and 52 Street NW
Artificial smoke for creating a realistic training exercise

This exercise is being conducted by CF Industries with the support of assisting agencies to ensure that they are prepared to respond to events in a coordinated manner.

Call for artists – Tunnel Vision 2026

Tunnel Vision returns this summer as a live street art experience celebrating creativity, colour, and public expression. The event is set for Friday, July 10.

Pop Up Parks is currently inviting artists to join their lineup. Interested participants are asked to complete the volunteer registration form and include “Artist” in the comments section.

Selected artists will receive:

A primed mural space (approximately 15 ft. × 7 ft.)
A designated supply of acrylic aerosol paint provided by LOOP

For further details, artist information, and event updates, check out Pop Up Parks' website or their Facebook Event page, or email them at popupparkmh@gmail.com.

Several survey windows nearing a close

Public engagement phases are winding down on a trio of City projects. And there’s still a chance to officially record your feedback and share perspectives on a survey in each of these projects! Each project page and survey are linked below for the opportunity to learn more and stay engaged.

Riverside Corridor Enhancement project

Survey deadline: Monday, June 15
Shape Your City project page
Take the survey

Water Management and Adaptation Strategy

Survey deadline: Friday, June 19
Shape Your City project page
Take the survey

Urban Hens

Survey deadline: Friday, June 26
Shape Your City project page
Take the survey

Stay up to date and learn more about other ongoing initiatives on Shape Your City.

Recently purchased a property? Read this!

Have you recently purchased a property in Medicine Hat and are still waiting for your annual property tax notice?

There is a lag between the time the title is transferred at Province of Alberta Land Titles Office to when the City of Medicine Hat receives the transfer information. Therefore, recent ownership and mailing address changes may not be reflected on property tax notice.

If you have not yet received your tax notice, we recommend you contact the Customer Care team to request a copy to avoid penalties. Taxes are due June 30 and an 8.5% penalty is applied on July 1 to any unpaid balances.

Here’s how you can reach us:

Phone: 403-529-8111
Email: tax@medicinehat.ca
In person: City Hall, Main Floor, 580 1 Street SE

Don’t miss out on a $500 gift card!

Since launching our eTax portal in 2025, 16% of property owners have signed up to receive their property tax notices online – have you?

If not, let’s get you in here! On June 22, we’re drawing for a $500 gift card from all the customers signed up for eTax eBilling. Make sure you’re on the list by signing up at etax.medicinehat.ca/app/MyCity/.

Not only are you helping the environment by eliminating paper waste – it’s just more convenient for you too! You won’t have to worry about losing track of your paper tax bill, and you can log on anytime during the year to see your property assessment and tax information.

Where do your property tax dollars go?

Your property taxes pay for core City services, but it doesn’t pay for everything we do. Let’s break it down:

For every $1 in property taxes, the City spends:

$0.21 on Police
$0.16 on parks and recreational facilities
$0.15 on fire and emergency services
$0.13 on roads, sidewalks, paths, bridges, snow removal, street sweeping, etc.
$0.13 on debt and capital funding
$0.08 on community services like arts and culture (including the Esplanade)
$0.05 on transit
$0.04 on corporate services like IT, finance, communications, and people services
$0.03 on governance
$0.02 on economic development

Learn more at medicinehat.ca/taxdollars.

But what about the pipes, wires, and garbage trucks?

Those are paid for through utility rates and fees, not property taxes. That’s why your utility bill has more charges than just the commodity you use (how much water, electricity and gas). Some charges pay for the infrastructure to bring you the commodity (like power poles, pipes, wires, etc.), and others pay for the trucks, facilities, tools and people to maintain and run the utilities (like the landfill, electric linemen, bucket trucks, garbage carts, etc.)

See what all the charges on your bill mean at medicinehat.ca/utilitybill.

The balance of the City’s revenue comes from things like land sales, dividends from our energy division, and grants/transfers from other levels of government.

National Indigenous Peoples Day

Friday, June 19 | 1 p.m. | City Hall

The public is welcomed to attend our annual National Indigenous Peoples Day event at City Hall. The event celebrates the rich history, traditions, cultures, and important contributions of all First Nations, Métis and Inuit residents who make Medicine Hat their home.

The event opens with a formal program at the City Hall plaza by the clock tower. It will move into the Helen Beny Gibson Lounge if the weather does not allow for an outdoor celebration.

If you missed the initial announcement, check out our news release to view the details of the formal program, and to learn more about National Indigenous Peoples Day.

Unable to attend this event, or looking for more opportunities to celebrate during National Indigenous History Month? There’s another event planned by Indigenous community members down in Riverside Veterans' Memorial Park on Sunday, June 21. Check out the event poster from Firekeepers Women's Society for more details.

Big Truck Day

Saturday, June 20 | 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. | Co-op Place parking lot

Don’t forget, the Medicine Hat Public Library is hosting the second annual Big Truck Day at Co-op Place. The parking lot will be packed with big trucks for the second annual Big Truck Day. Kids of all ages can climb aboard, explore construction vehicles and other heavy equipment, and discover how these powerful machines help get the job done every day.

Extra activities include facepainting and pedal tractors (partially funded by the City of Medicine Hat) and a free barbecue sponsored by Save-on-Foods!

Public Reception: Hidebound by Tom Hulit

Friday, June 26 | 7 p.m. | Esplanade

The Esplanade invites the public to a reception for the Hidebound art exhibition, part of the City’s celebration of National Indigenous History Month. The exhibition explores the artistry of leatherworking, as renewed interest grows within the handmade craft space. Elder Charlie Fox will begin the evening with a blessing, followed by remarks from the exhibition’s curator, and concluding with a meaningful talk by Brenda Mercer discussing the significance of leatherwork within Indigenous culture.

The exhibition brings together notable pieces from the Esplanade’s archive, many of which have never been displayed publicly before. Guests are encouraged to wear their finest leather statement pieces and enjoy two carefully selected Scotch beverages.

The gallery will be open from June 26, 2026, to February 28, 2027, and, as always, it is a “Pay What You Will” event.

Visit Esplanade.ca for more details.

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

Building a business one bead at a time

Founded in 2020, Saddleback Stones began as a hobby Josie learned at her kitchen table. Today, it's a thriving business offering traditional beadwork pieces from earrings and necklaces to rings and occasional custom pieces like traditional dance regalia.

"My style is a blend of traditional and modern," Josie says. "I love that I'm able to bring my culture to new audiences and show younger Indigenous people that you can be proud of our culture and find success."

Through her business and cultural involvement, Josie has become a visible role model, working with the City, the Esplanade, and various groups throughout Medicine Hat as a teacher, dancer, singer, and drummer.

Read more about Josie and her journey as part of our recognition of National Indigenous History Month.

The story behind “The Flats”: A hidden piece of Indigenous history

Each June, National Indigenous History Month invites us to reflect on the histories and cultures that have shaped our communities, stories that are often embedded in the places we know best. In Medicine Hat, one of those stories lies in a familiar name: The Flats.

While many assume the name comes from the area’s landscape, its origins tell a deeper story rooted in Indigenous and Métis history, community, and connection to the land.

Read the whole story here.

Brief road closure in Police Point Park

A section of Police Point Drive NE in Police Point Park will be closed on Monday, June 15.

The closure is to accommodate a pump replacement located in the attached graphic. Work is anticipated to be completed by end-of-day Monday.

During this work, please note the following:

Access to the northeast parking lot will be maintained
No access to the south parking lot or Nature Centre (closed Mondays)
No trail access will be affected

Thank you for the patience and understanding while this necessary work is performed!

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