Neat to Know: March 19, 2026 | City of Medicine Hat

Mar 19, 2026

Your weekly roundup of City news, updates, and other important information.

No Rate Review Committee for Medicine Hat’s utility rates

During Monday’s City Council meeting, Council affirmed its authority over electric and gas utility rates and confirmed that public hearings will remain the foundation for any proposed utility pricing changes.

A Rate Review Committee was originally suggested from an independent third-party Energy Business Review that proposed a Municipally Controlled Corporation with corresponding Rate Review Committee as a path forward for Medicine Hat’s electric utility. After voting down an MCC in July 2025, Council directed staff to suggest options that consider a Rate Review Committee absent of an MCC and ultimately agreed to remain status quo upon reviewing the material.

National Transit Worker Appreciation Day

March 18 was National Transit Employee Appreciation Day, as part of National Transit Employee Appreciation Week!

It's important to take the time to recognize the contributions and passion of the employees at Medicine Hat Transit (MHT). The team strives to provide safe, reliable and inclusive services for the community.

MHT had some exciting developments the past year, including:

A statutory holiday pilot project
An updated Adaptive Transit policy
The new MHTapp
And more!

And, whether it’s a new addition or a core service, MHT’s dedication to our city's transit ridership lies at the heart of all they do.

That dedication also helped MHT reach over 1,000,000 riders for a second-straight year in 2025.

So, from those behind the wheel to those behind the scenes, we thank them for their commitment to our community!

Reduction in dishonoured payment fee

At Monday’s meeting, City Council approved an amendment to the Dishonoured Payments Bylaw, reducing the NSF fee from $44 to $10, effective April 1, 2026, voluntarily aligning with federal banking regulations.

The City of Medicine Hat processes about 1,300 dishonoured payments each year. With this change, the City is forgoing approximately $45,000 in annual revenue to help relieve financial pressure on residents who are already struggling to keep up with payments.

March 16, 2026 City Council Meeting

City Council met on March 16, 2026 and welcomed representatives from The Action Group (TAG) to hear about mobility challenges in and around our city and their suggestions for improving sidewalks, crosswalks, transit service hours, and more.

In addition to the topics of Rate Review Committee and Dishonoured Payments Bylaw you’ve read above, Council also approved two bylaws following public hearings, including rezoning at 1850 South Boundary Road SW and land designation changes to support flood mitigation infrastructure, and extended the term of Interim City Manager, Joseph Hutter, from March 31, 2026 to October 1, 2026.

Read the highlights | Watch the meeting

City Centre Vibrancy Program

The City Centre Vibrancy Program, a funding initiative aimed at supporting local businesses and property owners in enhancing the visual appeal of their commercial space, will launch on April 1, 2026.

Now entering its second year, the program is delivered through a partnership between the City of Medicine Hat and Community Futures Entre-Corp. It supports improvement projects in the city centre by providing financial assistance through a combination of grant funding and interest-free loans.

Read our news release to learn more.

End Period Poverty

Before their March 16th meeting, Council members donated feminine hygiene products to support the End Period Poverty campaign, organized by the Medicine Hat Skateboard Association in partnership with the Root Cellar, MHC Rattlers and Redcliff Youth Centre.

Donations can be dropped off until April 13 at the Medicine Hat College Fitness Centre, Station Coffee House, the Root Cellar, Sun Valley Honda, Link Church, and Save On Foods.

Council donates to End Period Poverty

Cultural Forum

Monday, Mar. 23 | 9 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. | Esplanade

Our inaugural Cultural Forum is nearly here - there's still time register!

Join fellow artists, cultural leaders, organizations, and community stakeholders for a dynamic Cultural Forum designed to spark collaboration, inspire fresh ideas, and strengthen cultural programs across our city.

This engaging experience blends keynote conversations, hands-on learning, and interactive discussion - plus a guided downtown walking tour - to explore how arts, heritage, and entertainment can work together more effectively.

Participants will gain practical tools, share perspectives, and help shape collaborative solutions that support a vibrant and connected cultural sector.

Learn more about the event and register on the Tixx.ca event page.

Public Property Auction

Tuesday, March 31 | 9 a.m. | City Hall

On Tuesday, March 31 at 9 a.m., a public property auction will be held in Boardroom M-1 in City Hall at 580 1 Street SE, Medicine Hat, Alberta.

The City of Medicine Hat follows the Municipal Government Act in regard to tax recovery, which allows for the recovery of unpaid property taxes by selling properties in tax arrears at a public tax sale auction.

Tax recovery is a four-year process whereby City staff work hard to coordinate suitable payment arrangements with owners to eliminate arrears so as to have no properties to offer at auction.

Learn more at medicinehat.ca/taxrecovery.

Echoes from the Archives

Thursday, Mar. 26 | 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. | Esplanade

Echoes from the Archives is a new, intimate podcast series hosted in the Archives Reading Room at the Esplanade, bringing local history out of the stacks and into conversation.

Join us at the Esplanade for a live podcast recording of the inaugural episode! Assistant Archivist Jenni and local podcaster Brian Konrad (host of Bring Back The Porch podcast) will be chatting about all things Medicine Hat - fact, fiction, and the stories that refuse to die.

Audience members will also have an opportunity to ask questions about Medicine Hat’s past. Whether you’re a history buff, a curious local, or just love a good story- this is one you won’t want to miss!

But, if you can’t make the event, you can still catch this episode and all others wherever you get your podcasts.

Learn more about the event on the Esplanade.ca event page.

Med Hatter Tea Party

Tuesday, Apr. 7 | 5 to 7 p.m. | Esplanade

Before the curtain rises on MOMIX: Alice (see the event below), join us for the Med Hatter Tea Party - a delightfully curious pre-show celebration at the Esplanade!

Open to everyone (ticket holders and wonderfully curious wanderers alike), this immersive experience transforms the lobby and Gallery Foyer into a playful Wonderland of hands-on creativity, photo moments, and imaginative fun.

Learn more on the Esplanade.ca event page.

MOMIX: Alice

Tuesday, Apr. 7 | 7:30 p.m. | Esplanade

Seamlessly blending illusion, acrobatics, magic, and whimsy, MOMIX sends audiences flying down the rabbit hole in Moses Pendleton’s newest creation, ALICE, inspired by Lewis Carroll’s classic Alice in Wonderland. “I don’t intend to retell the whole Alice story” Pendleton says, “but to use it as a taking off point for invention.”

Filled with visual splendor and startling creative movement, Alice reveals that nothing in MOMIX’s world is as it seems!

Learn more and get tickets on the Tixx.ca event page.

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

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

Systems Analyst – Cybersecurity

Permanent | Full-Time | On site

This position plays a key role in protecting and strengthening the City's technology environment. As part of the Information Technology team, you'll support the implementation, administration, and security of enterprise systems that keep municipal operations running safely and reliably.

Learn more and apply on our Careers webpage.

Electric Utility Helper

Temporary (up to 24 months) | Full‑Time | On site

Are you someone who enjoys hands‑on work, the outdoors, and contributing to essential electrical distribution services in the community? In this role, you'll contribute by supporting field technicians in the construction, operation, and maintenance of the electric distribution system.

Learn more and apply on our Careers webpage.

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