Neat to Know: June 18, 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.
Over the past several days, our community has come together in the wake of the tragic incident at Echo Dale Regional Park. We continue to grieve collectively and extend care and support to everyone impacted.
We want to thank residents for the compassion, understanding and support shown to one another, the family, our schools, and our City teams during this difficult time. The messages of kindness and support have meant a great deal as our staff navigate this challenging period.
As we continue supporting our employees and ensuring our teams have the time and resources they need, we share the following reminders:
- All City aquatic facilities have reopened, including Big Marble Go Centre, Crestwood Pool, Strathcona Pool and Hill Pool.
- Echo Dale Regional Park will reopen to the public on Friday, June 19 at 7 a.m. All park amenities, with the exception of the swim lake, will reopen including low lying river trails and the boat launch.
- The Echo Dale Swim Lake will remain closed and will be drained as the City continues to support staff affected by Monday’s tragic event. Draining the lake will eliminate the need for on-site security staff or barricades to prevent entry while unguarded.
Thank you for standing with one another and with our City teams during this difficult time.
City announces third-party whistleblower service
On May 4, 2026, Medicine Hat City Council approved Whistleblower Policy 8051-2026. The policy intends to reinforce trust in City governance by clearly defining a method to receive and address concerns through an impartial, third-party service. Employees, contractors, suppliers, and members of the public now have a confidential third-party hotline (1-866-529-9589) and online portal through MNP Ethics Alert to report suspected wrongdoing involving the City of Medicine Hat. The Whistleblower Policy and corresponding third-party reporting service provide an avenue to report claims of serious wrongdoing but the service is not intended as a mechanism for general service complaints, access to information requests, dissatisfaction with City decisions, or matters related to job performance. Learn more.
Public engagement begins for Alcohol in Parks Pilot
City Council recently authorized a pilot program that permits the consumption of alcohol at designated picnic tables in selected City parks.
The program period runs from July 2 to September 30, 2026. During the program, Kin Coulee, Echo Dale Regional Park and Strathcona Island Park will have designated picnic tables that allow park users 18 years and older to responsibly consume alcohol while seated at these tables.
As part of the pilot, public feedback is being collected before, during, and after to gauge impact, opinion, and concerns with the pilot.
Complete the brief pre-pilot survey before July 1, 2026.
Transit service on Canada Day
We’ll be offering transit service on Canada Day as part of our statutory holiday transit service pilot project. It’s the second of three stat holidays within the pilot. The first day was Family Day.
Medicine Hat Transit service will run from 8:15 a.m. to 7:15 p.m. on Wednesday, July 1.
There are no dedicated on-demand or adaptive transit services within this pilot project. However, standard transit buses are wheelchair friendly and able to accommodate those with accessibility needs.
The third and final statutory holiday will be based on use over the first two days, including the usage patterns of riders taking advantage of holiday service. Days being considered are:
- National Day for Truth and Reconciliation – Wednesday, Sept. 30
- Remembrance Day – Wednesday, Nov. 11
- Boxing Day – Saturday, Dec. 26
We hope you enjoy Canada Day transit service and stay tuned for the third day.
Annual gas leak survey continues as ‘mobile sniffer’ drives streets and alleys
For the second year, the City is using the Mobile Guard methane detection vehicle to inspect 7,365 residential and commercial natural gas services and 134 kilometres of gas main in the following neighbourhoods:
- Marlborough
- Connaught
- Crestwood
- Southview
- Norwood
- Meadowlands
- East Glen
- Ross Glen
- Turner
- Taylor
Starting June 22, this vehicle-mounted ‘super sniffer’ measures methane levels while driving through neighbourhoods in the evening, helping crews quickly identify and map potential leaks with greater efficiency. The vehicle is easily identified by equipment mounted on the roof and a Hetek Solutions decal.
Trail etiquette
Medicine Hat’s Heritage Trail Network connects nine major parks, seven scenic viewpoints, neighbourhood green spaces, waterways, and coulees, offering plenty to see along the way. Trails are shared spaces, and a little courtesy goes a long way. By being mindful of others, we can help create a positive experience for walkers, cyclists, runners, families, and pet owners.
A few simple habits can help make every trail visit safer, smoother, and more enjoyable:
- Stay alert and aware of your surroundings by watching and listening for other trail users and wildlife.
- Let others know when you are approaching or passing by using a bike or scooter bell or offering a friendly heads-up. Always pass with care.
- When cycling or scootering, wear a helmet, stay in control, and keep your speed below 20 km/h or the posted limit. Ensure your ride has at least one working brake.
- Yield to other trail users and stay to the right of the centre line where marked.
- Keep pets under control or leashed and always clean up after them.
- If heading out after dark, let someone know where you are going and equip yourself with a working headlamp, rear taillight, and reflectors so you are visible to others.
These thoughtful actions help create a better experience for everyone on the trail.
June 15, 2026 City Council Meeting
During Monday's Council meeting, City Council approved amendments to the City's Hedging Policy, a $25,000 budget amendment to highlight the City of Medicine Hat through sponsoring the Grand Slam of Curling, and an amendment to the City of Medicine Hat's Water Management and Adaptation Strategy to capture $245,000 approved grant funding towards the project (no new City funds).
Council adopted Phase 1 of the Airport Master Plan Project and gave first reading to a bylaw to subdivide and redesignate two legal parcels of land to enable the Department of National Defense to purchase the land they currently lease for their local armouries.
Representatives from the Special Olympics Canada Summer Games Medicine Hat 2026 made a call for volunteers and provided an update about the games that will occur in Medicine Hat this August.
National Indigenous Peoples Day
Friday, June 19 | 1 p.m. | City Hall
Join us tomorrow for 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 National Indigenous Peoples Day celebration opens with a formal program at the City Hall plaza by the clock tower. The event will move into the Helen Beny Gibson Lounge if the weather does not allow for an outdoor celebration.
Read 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.
Want to see more upcoming events, programming and activities? View all options at City of Medicine Hat facilities:
Indigenous History Month: The Saamis Archaeological Site
Just below the Saamis Tepee, the Saamis Archaeological Site offers a fascinating glimpse into centuries of Indigenous life in Medicine Hat. Used between 1390 and 1820, it was an important gathering place where people hunted, prepared food, traded goods, and built community.
Archaeological discoveries at the site from buffalo processing areas to evidence of extensive trade networks help tell the story of the deep connections Indigenous Peoples have had to this land for generations.
As we recognize National Indigenous History Month, it’s a great opportunity to learn more about these histories and the lasting impact they continue to have today.
Read the full story here.
Riverside corridor enhancement project
Engagement for the Riverside Corridor Enhancement has closed.
Thank you to the hundreds of community members who took the time to provide important input the revised design. From big ideas to small details, we heard such a variety of interests and needs for this road’s development.
We are in the process of compiling a What We Heard report to summarize the input received, and we will share back the results for community review as we move along in this project process.
No decisions have been made.
To view all our career opportunities at the City of Medicine Hat, visit our Careers webpage and sign up for job alerts.
Labourer (Municipal Works)
Seasonal | Full-Time | On-Site
Join our team as a Labourer with our Municipal Works department. This seasonal opportunity is anticipated to run through August 2026, providing hands-on experience supporting the infrastructure and services that keep our community moving.
In this role, you'll perform a variety of construction, maintenance, and repair tasks, including pavement repairs, concrete work, snow and ice control, and stormwater infrastructure maintenance.
Transit Operator & Service Worker
Casual | On-site
Are you passionate about serving your community and making a positive impact? In this dual Transit Operator and Service Worker role, you'll safely operate transit vehicles, provide professional and courteous service to passengers, and support essential behind‑the‑scenes tasks.
This position offers flexible weekly opportunities and is a great starting point for those seeking long-term growth and development within the organization.
Hospitality Worker I & II
Casual | On-site
Are you someone who enjoys working with people in a lively, welcoming environment? Looking for flexible, casual work that fits your schedule while being part of exciting community events like concerts, hockey games, and local gatherings?
The City of Medicine Hat is hiring Hospitality Workers I and II to support food and beverage service at our premier venues. These casual, event-based opportunities are open to individuals from all walks of life who bring a positive attitude, reliability, and a passion for creating great guest experiences.
Whether you're starting out, returning to the workforce, exploring a new path, or looking to supplement your income, this could be a great fit for you.
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