Medicine Hat News
MHC graduates get their big day
“Today I’m so excited to see that spark in you as you prepare to transition from students to professionals. Remember that you are the architects of our region’s future,” said Reagan Weeks, who addressed a crowd of college graduates after being named...
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Alberta files appeal on thrown out separatist petition
Alberta’s government has filed its appeal of a judge’s decision to quash a petition looking to force a vote on the province quitting Canada. Premier Danielle Smith criticized the ruling last month, calling it “anti-democratic,” and promised to...
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Local business hosts Special anniversary celebration
Special Olympics ambassadors helped family owned Icy Mountain Water Co. mark its 34th anniversary on Wednesday, raising money and awareness for the Games coming to Medicine Hat this August. Five ambassadors were on site at the Foundry Street store....
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Local mother reflects on 10 years of grief, compassion and advocacy
It has been 10 years since Kym Porter’s son, Neil Balmer, died of a toxic fentanyl poisoning. Every year, the anniversary of Neil’s passing brings up new reflections and old grief. Despite the anniversary, Porter expected this year to be no different,...
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ER docs say government action hasn’t matched crisis
After a year of crisis-level strain in Alberta’s emergency rooms, longtime physicians say they’ve been here before. This time however, they say government is not co-operating with frontline leaders. At the province’s 16 biggest hospitals, the median...
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Health Nos., citizenship markers for IDs
The Alberta government rolled out a design Wednesday for new identification and driver’s licence cards that will include personal health numbers and Canadian citizenship markers. Albertans applying for new cards or renewing their existing cards will...
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City takes precaution with streamflow advisory
City crews proactively began installing barricades and signage Tuesday throughout lowlying areas in response to increased river flow rates and a high streamflow advisory. The city has also temporarily closed Police Point Park, Echo Dale Regional...
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MHRH included in ‘patient-focused’ funding change WEATHER
Alberta is moving toward a new funding model that will see hospital budgets informed by the number of patients they treat. The Alberta government says the new approach will help increase surgical volume and improve efficiency using existing acute care...
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Kenneth Law pleads guilty to aiding 14 suicides in Ontario
The final moments of those who took their own lives using products bought online from Kenneth Law were laid out before a packed Ontario courtroom Friday after the Torontoarea man at the heart of an international investigation pleaded guilty to 14...
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Smith says she speaks for UCP on separation
Senior leadership of the United Conservative Party appears divided on the party’s position on separation ahead of a referendum advanced by Premier Danielle Smith scheduled this fall. Rob Smith, president of the UCP board of directors, told the Globe...
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Hundreds of students featured at art festival
The Kaleidoscope of the Arts visited the Esplanade on Wednesday, highlighting achievements of Prairie Rose Public Schools students throughout southeastern Alberta. Each year, students travel from across the division to take part in various art and...
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West premiers stress importance of united Canada
Western premiers are emphasizing the value of open discussion as their annual meeting wraps, despite looming disagreements between leaders over major projects and Alberta independence. The two-day conference in Kananaskis came to a close...
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Lodgepole harvesting for Tepee project
Major strides toward completion of the White Horse Tepee project were made over the weekend, as volunteers went on their first pole harvesting mission. Roughly 30 of the 120 poles needed to support all seven teepees were collected from a site in the...
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Smith’s referendum on referendum blasted from all sides
Groups on all sides of the separatist question are dissatisfied with the approach outlined by Premier Danielle Smith in her Thursday address. At a news conference Friday, Smith defended her unpopular approach, suggesting she had no other choice. “To...
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Cypress-MH MLA Wright now one of four health ministers
Cypress-Medicine Hat MLA Justin Wright has been promoted to a ministerial position as part of a cabinet shuffle Thursday that rearranged nearly a quarter of Alberta’s executive council. Wright will replace Adriana LaGrange as Minister of Primary and...
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Premature release of UCP caucus statement derails vote on Forever Canadian petition
Comments by committee chair celebrating decision released before members took vote A meeting Wednesday of the Citizen Initiative Review Committee, expected to produce a decision on the Forever Canadian petition question, was derailed by a bungled...
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Ottawa Alberta pipeline deal stirs up applause, opposition
Reactions are strong and varied after Alberta and Ottawa signed onto a long-anticipated pipeline agreement Friday. The Alberta government has been pushing hard for a pipeline to carry bitumen from the oil sands to the port of Prince Rupert on the...
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Runny nose? Itchy? Experts say seasonal allergies worsening due to increase in pollen
A group of Canadian researchers says the amount of powdery pollen released by plants during their reproduction process has gone up across Canada in recent years and is exacerbating allergies from hay fever to hives. Daniel Coates, director of...
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Conservation effort will protect nearby Sagebrush Flats
One of the largest intact pieces of native grasslands left in Canada, located near Medicine Hat, will be protected under a new conservation project. The Nature Conservancy of Canada announced the permanent conservation of Sagebrush Flats on Friday,...
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Best place for Alberta is in Canada, prime minister says
The best place for Alberta to be is in Canada, Prime Minister Mark Carney said Thursday after a judge’s decision to throw out a separatist petition in the province. “Certainly a Canada that works, which is what we’re pursuing,” Carney told...
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Judge quashes separation petition
A judge threw out an Alberta separatist petition Wednesday, ruling the province had a duty to consult with First Nations — a decision quickly declared “antidemocratic” by Premier Danielle Smith. Justice Shaina Leonard also said Alberta’s chief...
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CORE Assoc. using Puppets in the Park to share important story of local Indigenous, Métis peoples
The CORE Association is working to bring Indigenous awareness to children in Medicine Hat through the latest work in its puppetry program. Through partnership with the Miywasin Friendship Centre and a Community Vibrancy Grant, Puppets in the Park will...
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Mayor, Rotary Club members meet to talk common goals
Members of the Rotary Club of Medicine Hat sat down Monday with Mayor Linnsie Clark to take a look at the future of the city they serve. The presentation was part of the club’s regular meeting each Monday at noon, which sees a variety of speakers and...
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Medicine Hat Police Commission has not conducted employee survey in years
The Medicine Hat Police Commission has decided not to conduct regular surveys of police service employees, leaving the Medicine Hat Police Service without the kind of independent, publicly reported workplace check that has become standard practice at...
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Council will consider $21 million budget ask for substation modernization
The City is asking councillors to approve a budget increase of $21.55 million that will help fund a modernization strategy of its electric substation infrastructure as portions of it are nearing the end of their service life. The City’s current...
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United Conservative Caucus admits member attended Centurion Project meeting in April
At least one high-ranking member of the United Conservative Caucus was present at a Centurion Project meeting that taught participants to navigate the database compiled using unauthorized access to the electoral list. The United Conservative Caucus...
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Hatters gather to honour MMIWG2S
More than 100 residents gathered at Medicine Hat College on Monday evening to participate in a public gathering, prayer and awareness walk on the National Day of Awareness for Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and Two-Spirit People. Also known as Red...
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Alcohol use OK’d for three parks
This summer Hatters will have the opportunity to enjoy an alcoholic beverage in one of three selected city parks after council unanimously voted in favour of adopting a motion to implement a new pilot project. From July 2 to the end of September...
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Trades-based program gets seal of approval from students
Rylan McCulloch says he has plans of becoming an electrician after graduation while sharing his experience Friday in a new three-year trades-based education program. The Grade 10 student from Crescent Heights High School was among 32 students who...
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AMA celebrates hundreds of local student crossing guards
The smell of pizza and the sound of splashing filled the Big Marble Go Centre on Thursday, as nearly 380 elementary students traded their crosswalk vests for swimsuits. The kids are all part of the Alberta Motor Association’s School Safety Patrol...
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Young students take day away from bustle to discover nearby nature
Ahead of Endangered Species Day, students from around the region made the drive out to spend a day among nature with the help of local organizations. For several years now, local rancher and vice president of the Golden K Kiwanis Club of Medicine Hat...
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Loved ones lost or injured at work honoured with ceremony
Members of the Gas City gathered at the memorial arboretum in Saratoga Park on Tuesday, to honour lives lost or irrevocably altered by workplace incidents. Hosted by the Medicine Hat Regional Safety Committee, the event reminds Hatters of the...
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Addictions minister under fire for false claims in legislature
Alberta’s Minister of Mental Health and Addictions last week told the legislature he saw people die in Alberta’s supervised consumption sites, even though no deaths have ever been recorded. “Mr. Speaker, I would welcome anybody to come with me to a...
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Boundary redo due to government’s own parameters
The UCP government says a new electoral boundaries committee is necessary because of faulty parameters of the last commission — parameters the UCP government set themselves. On Thursday, Justice Minister Mickey Amery introduced legislation that would...
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Council to view proposed changes to Land Use Bylaw
City staff have recommended changes to the Land Use Bylaw, seeking more certainty and district options to regulate how land and buildings are developed, designed and used. Since 2016 the city’s Land Use Bylaw has undergone five amendments that have...
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Foreign interference, misinformation distorting separation talk: report
A report released this week has raised concerns about foreign interference promoting misinformation to manipulate the Alberta independence movement. Premier Danielle Smith told reporters Wednesday she found the report disturbing. “It is a concern for...
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City residents happy overall, though social concerns on the rise: survey
Key takeaways, as well as a full breakdown of a community survey conducted earlier this year around a variety of local topics, were presented to council Monday. Overall, the 2026 Community Survey conducted by IPSOS in February found residents surveyed...
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Two local schools included in modular class investment
Two local schools — Eagle Butte and St. Pat’s — are receiving portable classrooms to increase enrolment capacity as a part of a new provincial investment. The province announced $600 million over three years to deliver more modular classrooms to help...
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City wins economic development award for OpporTOURnity
The City of Medicine Hat won a prize for innovation in economic development at a province-wide summit this week. The Economic Developers of Alberta Xperience 2026 brought together municipal officials and administrators from across Alberta. The annual...
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South Country Co-op celebrates 70 years with hundreds of Hatters
South Country Co-op kicked off birthday celebrations with a free barbecue on Thursday, celebrating 70 years and counting in southeastern Alberta. The barbecue, estimated to have provided a free lunch to more than 450 people in the first hour, featured...
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City urged to lead on tackling homelessness
City officials visited the provincial capital this week to engage in discussions about addressing homelessness in Medicine Hat. Mayor Linnsie Clark, Couns. Stuart Young, Chris Hellman and interim CAO Joe Hutter travelled to Edmonton on Tuesday to tour...
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Province making way for ‘care-first’ auto insurance
The Government of Alberta tabled legislation earlier this month laying groundwork for an overhaul of Alberta’s auto insurance market. Bill 27 included amendments that move the province to a “carefirst” auto insurance system by Jan. 1,...
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Doctors speak out against proposed MAiD restrictions
Doctors across Alberta are asking the UCP government to reconsider proposed changes to its policy on medical assistance in dying. If passed, Bill 18 will introduce a slew of new constraints on the provision of medical assistance in dying. New...
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Government imposition on library content management takes choice from public, parents: MHPL chief librarian
Medicine Hat Public Library is calling on Alberta’s government to reconsider proposed legislation that would allow the province to control access to certain materials in public libraries. “We want parents to make decisions about how their children use...
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Tigers sweep East finalists for WHL player of the year
Six WHLers were named finalists for the WHL’s Four Broncos Memorial Trophy, awarded to the player of the year. The Medicine Hat Tigers produced half those nominations. The orange and black swept the Eastern conference finalists list, with captain...
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Council looks to set 4.9% tax hike
City council has passed a motion looking to increase property taxes by 4.9 per cent. It is a lower increase than expected, with previous council meetings indicating a likely jump by 5.6 per cent, and staff recommending an increase of 6.1 per...
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City to draft urban hen pilot bylaw
Council voted to move forward Tuesday with a pilot project that would allow Hatters to keep backyard hens. The urban hens question was first broached by council in 2015, when city staff were directed to conduct research and draft a pilot Urban Hen...
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Province’s new Police Review Commission boasting early success at three-month mark
It has been three months since a new commission took over responsibility for investigations and disciplinary hearings for police across the province. The Police Review Commission formally launched Dec. 1, consolidating various local and provincial...
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Crestwood Grade 6ers host school’s 64th annual Spring Tea
Crestwood School council put on its 64th annual Spring Tea on Wednesday. The yearly celebration marks one of the biggest events on the parent council’s calendar and a highly anticipated afternoon for students, who take over the gymnasium with...
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Council to consider 6.1% tax hike
The city says in order to balance the budget and avoid falling further into debt, councillors must decide on either reducing costs by scaling back services, or increasing property taxes. During a corporate services committee meeting last week,...
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Province to bring forward changes to citizen initiative act, court appointment procedure
A new bill tabled Monday introduces another round of changes to legislation governing recalls and citizen initiative petitions. Bill 23 would update several pieces of legislation, including the Citizen Initiative Act and the Recall Act. “We are...
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Eight cadets graduate to constable after 24-week training
Eight new police officers, including five new members of the Medicine Hat Police Service, were honoured Friday afternoon during a recruit graduation ceremony capping completion of a 24-week intensive training program. The ceremony, held at the...
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Montessori kids prove it’s never too soon for science
Medicine Hat’s Montessori Children’s House is creating the scientists of tomorrow with their own science fair, which recently offered opportunity for some of the smallest Hatters to demonstrate a love of learning. Students at the school are too young...
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City emergency training will include possible situations surrounding Special Olympics
As part of this year’s emergency management plan the city will conduct several training programs and exercises for staff to ensure proper functioning systems and processes that allow collaboration between departments and community partners during...
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New child development centre puts focus on each child’s interests
Where the city’s Alberta Pound and Rescue Centre once stood, some of the youngest Hatters will now be getting a strong start following Saturday’s grand opening of Ready Set Grow child development centre. Children from 12 months to 5 years of age will...
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Cubs capture first HJHL championship
For the first time in 25 years, the Medicine Hat Cubs will hang a championship banner. The Cubs captured their first HJHL championship on Saturday, winning 5-2 in Red Deer to sweep the HJHL Finals series with the Vipers. It’s their first title in...
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RWLC students apply several scientific skills in robotics course
Grade 9 student Addison Drever wants to become a marine biologist and discover behaviours like the migration patterns in sea life and says she has a passion for anatomy in organisms. “Science is my favourite part in school,” said Drever. “I find it...
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Hometown performers return as adjudicators to Rotary Music Festival where it all began
As the 2026 Medicine Hat Rotary Music Festival comes to a close, three Hatters reflect on their return to the city to adjudicate a festival they had once performed in. Brendan Catalano, Hunter Semrau and Soren Lorentzen, who were this year’s...
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Charges stayed against ‘Queen of Canada’ cult leader
The leader of a cult that bedevilled residents of a Saskatchewan village for two years is no longer facing charges, disappointing and angering the mayor. Romana Didulo, head of the so-called Kingdom of Canada, had been charged with two offences but a...
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Leprechauns evade traps despite creative student efforts
Grades 1 and 2 students at St. Francis Xavier School came in to find their classroom in disarray Tuesday morning, with their attempts to capture a leprechaun having gone awry. “They came in and there was a disaster. They’ve been trying to catch a...
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AER not properly addressing unpaid property taxes: report
A new report accuses the Alberta Energy Regulator of not doing enough to address the problem of unpaid oil and gas property taxes. The Property Tax Accountability Strategy report released Monday was the product of a working group comprised of...
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Public engagement policy coming in April
City staff have developed a new policy to ensure public comments received through engagements are provided to council clearly, as well as new methods to collect feedback. Members of the corporate services committee received a presentation Thursday of...
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‘He can’t see us if we don’t move’
A pair of whitetail deer don’t need to be persuaded to stay still for the camera as they do their best lawn ornament impressions in Strathcona Island Park on Thursday afternoon. March is living up to its reputation as the snowiest month in Medicine...
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Local greenhouse to sell power to city
The City of Medicine Hat will now purchase extra electricity generated by Big Marble Farms’ eight on-site cogeneration generators following a lengthy process to allow the greenhouse to export excess power. A ribbon-cutting ceremony was held Wednesday...
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Co-op Place to host Grand Slam of Curling event in November
Some of the world’s top curling talent will be on display in Medicine Hat this fall. The Grand Slam of Curling’s Masters event will be held at Co-op Place from Nov. 3-8, announced Tuesday morning at Co-op Place. The six-day event will feature 16 of...
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PR firms and lobbyists gave thousands to UCP in 2025
The reintroduction of corporate political contributions in Alberta has created a new avenue of influence for lobbyists, an IJF data analysis suggests. Last year, Alberta’s United Conservative Party government reversed a decade-long ban on...
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City exploring ‘every alternative’ to replace air service
Medicine Hat Regional airport officials say they will explore all options over the upcoming weeks and months to replace service after WestJet announced it will cease service between the Hat and Calgary this June, leaving the region without a passenger...
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Election expense disclosure released
The 2025 municipal election was the priciest on record for both the council and the mayoral seats. Mayoral candidate Drew Barnes’s failed bid was the most expensive campaign in Medicine Hat history. Barnes collected over $53,000 for his effort,...
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Parks plan has majority of new trees going to South Ridge
According to city staff the community of South Ridge is set for a spruce-up after city councillors heard a majority of new trees that will be planted over the next three years will be in the south-side area. Scott Richter, manager of recreation, told...
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Council approves funding for downtown safety grants
Property and business owners downtown can now apply for new funding made available by the city to purchase property improvements that enhance safety and crime prevention measures. City councillors unanimously approved a total of $70,000 available in...
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Local advanced aerospace company receives federal loan to help boost already state-of-the-art system
A local company says it is best in the world when it comes to ascending drones, or remotely piloted aircraft systems, to extremely high altitudes, and has been awarded a federal loan for its efforts. On Monday, Eleanor Olszewski, federal minister of...
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Alberta Independence Tour met with protests during event at College
More than 300 individuals attended an Alberta Independence Tour event hosted by Rebel News at Medicine Hat College Friday night which rallied support in the upcoming referendum vote this October. Attendees of the event were met by more than 80...
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Spending hikes, $9.4B deficit
Alberta’s new budget will carry an eye-popping $9.4-billion deficit as the province, after decades of trying to get off a roller-coaster of oil revenues, seeks to manage the ride and weather the whiplash. The deficit is the largest since the COVID-19...
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Province commits to $10.8B education budget
The Government of Alberta announced Wednesday that education funding in the forthcoming budget will total $10.8 billion, a seven per cent increase over Budget 2025. The $722-million increase will mainly be used to obtain more staff, but other major...
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WestJet’s last local flight in June
WestJet has confirmed it will cease its scheduled air service between Calgary and Medicine Hat, as well as Calgary to Lethbridge, in June. According to WestJet the decision to end air service comes as the company continues a strategic overhaul of its...
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