Medicine Hat News
REDI officially opens six-unit affordable care home
A new stride in accessible housing, REDI Enterprises Society officially opened the doors Friday to Hampson House, which will provide affordable supported care for six Hatters. The space is named for Cathy Hampson, whose story was unfortunately a...
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Council to consider 2-year urban hens pilot project
City councillors will soon be debating whether residents will be allowed to raise urban hens in their backyards by adopting or declining a new two-pilot project designed by city staff after receiving mixed feedback from residents. The new draft pilot...
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Clark will send letter to Smith, others affirming support for local water strategy
Mayor Linnsie Clark will send a letter to Premier Danielle Smit and all other appropriate provincial and federal officials reaffirming council support for local water protection and the city’s 25-year action plan for longterm water security. The...
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Council moves forward with south-side aquatics facility
Councillors voted 8-1 in support of entering into negotiations to acquire land and continue the design process for a new outdoor aquatics facility on the city’s south side, as well as new sports fields in Brier Run. Coun. Cheryl Phaff voted against...
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Hundreds of workers gather for annual Labour Day BBQ
Local workers were treated to a free barbecue lunch on Monday held by volunteers from the Medicine Hat & District Labour Council, which served hundreds of free burgers and hot dogs despite the rainy weather. The annual barbecue is held to show...
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Two-tier health care underway in Alberta
Critics continue to say government is ignoring what citizens want Nearly 400 specialist physicians in Alberta have expressed interest in participating in the province’s new dual-practice health system, a move critics warn creates a two-tiered model...
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Referendum results will take time, Qs counted one at a time
Officials from Elections Alberta outlined operational details for the upcoming provincial referendum during a technical briefing Thursday, detailing a hand-count process that will extend at least into the early morning following the vote. Deputy chief...
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Quality family time
Austin and Linnea Weisgerber and seen walking with their daughter Rese and dog Wrigley along a pathway adjunct to Police Point Drive on Wednesday afternoon. Forecasters are calling for temperatures to cool into this weekend, with some more rain on the...
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Premier, education minister suggest province making progress in classrooms as students return to school
Premier Danielle Smith held a press conference Tuesday afternoon with Minister of Education and Childcare Demetrios Nicolaides to highlight education investments and initiatives heading into the 2026-27 school year. Alberta’s government welcomed...
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AFL report suggests separation would harm workers most
The Alberta Federation of Labour has released an economic report warning that provincial separation from Canada would severely harm working-class citizens, while accusing the provincial government and separatist groups of misdirecting public anger over...
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Indigenous gathering space brings cultural significance closer to home
Medicine Hat’s Indigenous community is now able to use an outdoor gathering space at Police Point Park for ceremonies, teachings, reflection and cultural connection after the ground was blessed Friday morning. The new gathering space and ceremonial...
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Alberta continues to profit off spiked oil
The province announced another quarterly surplus in its latest financial update. The economic update for the province’s 2026 Q1 shows a 2.3% real GDP growth, followed by strength in energy, exports and investment sectors. Impact from international...
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Beekeepers face trade turbulence after new tariffs take effect
Southern Alberta beekeepers are facing a wave of trade uncertainty after new U.S. tariffs came into effect over the weekend, leaving local producers to navigate potential shifts in the domestic market. The import duties, which target a wide range of...
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Ex-premiers join hands to keep Alberta in Canada
Two former political foes in Alberta are joining hands to try to keep the province from separating. And one of them says when it comes to Canada, it’s a nobrainer. “I’m always happy to put patriotism ahead of partisanship,” former premier Jason...
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City looks to support businesses seeking involvement with major regional projects
A biannual financial report that will be presented to council Sept. 8 shows during the first half of 2026 the city received 92 investment attraction inquiries and is involved in eight major projects totalling more than $4.4 billion and 270 new...
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Black Hatters release draft constitution for independency
Separatist leaders and federalists alike are panning the draft constitution assembled by Medicine Hat-based right-wing group the Black Hat Gang. The document released publicly this week by the separatist group the Alberta Prosperity Project was...
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Business boomed during Special Olympics
One business owner described the streets downtown as lively, friendly and reminiscent of the 80s last week as Medicine Hat welcomed the nation’s top Special Olympians to compete in the 2026 Canada Summer Games. Jake Knodel, owner of Station Coffee...
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Alberta gets extremely rare day without active August wildfire
For the first time in more than 40 years, Alberta marked an August day earlier this week with no active wildfires. For a stretch lasting a little more than 24 hours Tuesday, the province recorded a wildfire-free day in one of the hottest and driest...
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Cypress County advances plans for $65-million rec centre
Cypress County is moving forward with plans for a new recreation centre in Dunmore, with a global project budget of $65 million. Following a motion at Tuesday’s meeting, administration will now move forward with preparing a request for proposal for...
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Closing ceremonies wrap Special Olympics Summer Games, the ‘greatest show this city has ever seen’
A week of rain in Canada’s sunniest city showed the true meaning of shining bright through the Special Olympics Canada Summer Games. The 2026 Summer Games hosted in Medicine Hat came to a close Saturday evening with closing ceremonies at Co-op Place,...
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Calgary gymnast wins silver in Medicine Hat, carrying on family Olympic legacy
Zoe Bates won a silver medal Thursday in rhythmic gymnastics at the Special Olympics Canada Summer Games after finishing second in the rope event. The 42-year-old from Calgary is one of about 1,700 athletes competing at the Games. But she also carries...
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Every aspect of wellbeing covered with Healthy Athletes program
As part of their time at the 2026 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games, athletes have access to a wide variety of free health screenings. For the first time, that screening also includes getting a bra that fits. Healthy Athletes is a multidisciplinary...
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Unforgiving skies can’t dampen Special Olympic spirit
Canada’s sunniest city has hit the showers during the Special Olympics Canada Summer Games. The second full day of competition at the 2026 Summer Games was met with rain and sometimes downpour as athletes from across Canada competed in their...
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Special Olympics Canada Summer Games open
The event floor at Co-op Place was bright Tuesday with colours of 10 provinces and two territories shining together ahead of competing at the 2026 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games. The opening ceremonies Tuesday kicked off the Games hosted in...
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Flame of Hope arrives as Special Olympics open
The Flame of Hope will reach Medicine Hat today as the city opens the 2026 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games with help from a new law enforcement fundraiser. Officers will carry the flame from the Medicine Hat Police Service station to the Solar...
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New governor general coming to Medicine Hat
Louise Arbour to be first GG to attend Special Olympics Canada Games The Governor General of Canada, the Right Honourable Louise Arbour, will be travelling to Medicine Hat early next week to attend the 2026 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games. This...
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Suffield, region a major player for DND: McGuinty
Federal Minister of Defence David McGuinty says he is working to restore the BATUS tank training program, which ground to a halt in 2023 after decades of collaboration at CFB Suffield. McGuinty was in Alberta on Thursday for an itinerary that included...
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Premier calls out police force for anti-hate campaign
Premier Danielle Smith says police departments should be focused on monitoring drugs and violence, not “hurt feelings,” in a response to an Edmonton anti-hate speech campaign. The UCP government says it will be communicating to the province’s policing...
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Ottawa moves to list Alberta-backed West Coast pipeline as national interest project
The federal government is advancing the process to designate a proposed oil pipeline to the West Coast as a “national interest” project. Naming a project in the national interest under the Building Canada Act allows the government to fast-track...
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Brothers face off in Tennis Alberta Jr. tourney final
Mike Fentabil exacts revenge from last year with golden performance over younger Thomas A weekend of high-end youth tennis at the Medicine Hat Tennis Club came to an end on a local note. The two-day Tennis Alberta Jr. 3.5 star U12/U16 tournament held...
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Medicine Hat area leads province in primary care metrics; Minister Wright hopes to export local wins to the province
During an appearance in Medicine Hat last week, Minister of Primary and Preventative Health Services Justin Wright highlighted the Palliser Primary Care Network as an example of one of the highest performing primary care units in the country. It’s a...
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Lund files judicial review of coal petition rejection by Elections Alberta
Country singer Corb Lund’s advocacy group Water Not Coal is filing a judicial review of the Elections Alberta decision that deemed his citizen initiative petition was unsuccessful. Lund says the review is necessary to protect the integrity of...
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Vulcano honoured to hold Mavs’ games record
With one phone call in the spring of 2023, the Medicine Hat Mavericks found their games played leader. A 20-year-old Johnny Vulcano was looking for a place to play summer ball after missing out on a spring season due to class eligibility. That phone...
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‘Everything is gone’ in images showing wildfire damage outside Clinton, B.C.
There was little left besides twisted metal, blackened trees, the charred shell of a car and a tractor still burning in images taken at a property outside Clinton, B.C., by the owner, whose home was destroyed by a ferocious wildfire on Friday. Chris...
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Sun sets on another “successful” Stampede say organizers
The dust has settled after another successful edition of the Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede that featured three days of professional rodeo action, two well-attended night shows and one of one of largest parades in history. Although official...
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‘Everything on the table’ to combat U.S. tariffs – except oil, says Smith
Premier Danielle Smith sees the United States as a threat to Canada’s energy independence worth combatting through the construction of a new eastbound pipeline. But she’s not prepared to fight the current tariff threat by leveraging Canadian oil. At...
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NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi talks referendum, pipeline in visit to the Hat
In a Medicine Hat College lecture hall, NDP staffers handed out lawn signs bearing the slogan, “SEPARATION IS NOT THE SOLUTION” to the few dozen supporters who filled the room Wednesday to hear opposition leader Naheed Nenshi speak. His primary...
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Métis Kitchen Party Tour makes stop in Medicine Hat
On Wednesday night, Kin Coulee was filled with the sounds of fiddle music and feet stomping. The source of the merry sound was the latest stop in the Kitchen Party Tour, a travelling cultural celebration that kicked off in May. Medicine Hat marks the...
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Albertans divided on data centre development as experts, regulator projects short-term power price jump
As opposition to data centres across the country grows, the project queue in Alberta is growing longer and experts say the influx of power-hungry facilities is likely to impact consumers on their power bills. Protests against proposed data centre...
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Ready in the chute: Last chance for discounted Stampede tickets
Today is the final day to grab tickets for the Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede at a discounted price before the four-days of ‘Endless Summer’ begins on Wednesday. Stampede officials say tickets for the professional rodeo and both night shows are...
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Trump threatens increased tariffs on Canada over wildfire smoke in U.S. cities
President Donald Trump threatened Friday to increase tariffs on Canada due to smoke from wildfires in Ontario blanketing parts of the United States as Republican lawmakers escalated their complaints about air quality. “We are holding Canada...
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Alberta, Ottawa present united front after annual meeting of Canadian environment ministers
Environment ministers from the 10 Canadian provinces and the federal government met in Calgary this week, and in a closing press conference Wednesday, they celebrated a, “shifting landscape” in environmental decision-making. Alberta Environment...
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Latest dispute brings renewed attention to Jeffrey Rath’s long history of legal and disciplinary proceedings
One of Alberta’s most outspoken separatist agitators is embroiled in a legal battle with a First Nation in what is the latest in a long list of legal and professional challenges. Jeffrey Rath was the subject of a hearing Wednesday that saw Court of...
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Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter Society, federal government celebrate shelter expansion
The federal government is celebrating a success in Medicine Hat this week. A $7.6 million investment from the federal government supported the expansion of the Phoenix Safe House, an emergency shelter operated by the Medicine Hat Women’s Shelter...
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Experts question influx of major pipeline projects
Environmental and industry experts are split over the prospects of major pipeline developments as announcements proceed at a blistering pace. Earlier this month, two major pipeline projects were announced with ambitions to transport Alberta bitumen...
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Family, Fun and Flight takes to the Medicine Hat skies
Hundreds of Hatters were watching the blue skies over Medicine Hat on Friday afternoon as members of the Canadian Armed Forces Parachute Team, the SkyHawks, performed demonstrations during the opening day of the Dave Rozdeba Memorial Airshow hosted by...
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Alberta Decides: Inside Canadians’ views on Alberta’s outside ambitions
Anthony Koch’s Canada includes Alberta. And a prosperous one at that. But that doesn’t mean he doesn’t have questions about what’s happening here right now. “From my perspective, there’s a question. Even for those of us that like Alberta, love...
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Strategic plan provides game plan for council
City council and staff have a clear plan forward and will be focusing on four key criteria to be used to evaluate council’s decision making moving forward. On Monday during a public meeting councillors voted unanimously to adopt the city’s 2027-2030...
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Potential all-Canadian pipeline to Sarnia ‘fantastic’ news
The security of SarniaLambton’s industrial future received a big boost with Monday’s announcement that a new proposed pipeline will be routed entirely through Canada from Alberta to Sarnia’s refineries. “What it means is Canadian feedstock (will be)...
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Smith, Ford unveil proposed west-east pipeline route
Premier Danielle Smith and Ontario Premier Doug Ford unveiled Monday a route for a proposed west-east oil pipeline. The two premiers say it would stretch 3,300 kilometres from Hardisty, Alta., to refineries in Sarnia, Ont., without crossing the U.S....
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Special Olympics volunteer shortage a concern
Most don’t need criminal record checks and help is available for training, organizers say With fewer than 40 days before Medicine Hat welcomes the nation for the 2026 Special Olympics Canada Summer Games, organizers are still seeking hundreds of...
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Alberta’s solar recycling fee slammed as punitive
Alberta is implementing Canada’s first comprehensive solar panel recycling program, but leaders in the sector say the associated fee is another setback to a renewable energy industry that has shrunk under new regulations in recent years. In 2022, the...
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National pride, unity reflected on Canada Day
Kin Coulee Park was full of hundreds of Hatters dawning their red, white and Canadian themed attire to celebrate Canada Day. Hatters filled the park during the free two-day Medicine Hat Canada Day Festival which included performances, vendors,...
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Alberta separatists gain partial court win, referendum petition to be verified
The group behind a petition for a separation referendum in Alberta has won a partial victory in court. An Alberta Court of Appeal judge ruled on Monday that the signatures on the petition can be counted and verified and that the results can be shared...
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Residents kept in dark during standoff, tear gas included
For about seven hours Wednesday, Medicine Hat police surrounded an apartment building in the 1900 block of Upland Drive, blocking roads at both ends, deploying a tactical team and an armoured vehicle and, according to residents, ultimately deploying...
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Hat High’s female valedictorian keeping pathways open
Medicine Hat High School’s female valedictorian of 2026 wants to improve people’s lives for the better and is passionately driven to pursue her dream of becoming a doctor or pursuing research in the health-care field. Zainab Riaz was named the high...
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WestJet flies out of YXH for final time
Just before 10 a.m. on Wednesday, WestJet’s Q400 aircraft taxied down the runway for its last flight from the Medicine Hat Regional Airport after the Calgary-based airline announced it was ceasing air passenger service to Medicine Hat and Lethbridge in...
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CHHS’s top female student has a mission to serve
Crescent Heights High School’s female valedictorian of 2026 says she is open to various career paths, particularly in the sciences, but is planning to take a year off for a mission with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Ainsley Hyde...
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City still looking for air service provider as final WestJet flight takes off on Wednesday
With the last flight set to take off this week, city officials provided an update on the future of local air service in Medicine Hat on Monday. WestJet is scheduled to operate its last flight out of Medicine Hat Regional Airport on Wednesday. At this...
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City honours National Indigenous Peoples Day
The community gathered Friday afternoon outside city hall to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day, which lands on June 21 in conjunction with the summer solstice. The ceremony featured an opening prayer, land acknowledgment, honour song, flag...
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Province unveils rules for dual-practice
The Alberta government has announced long-anticipated regulations guiding a parallel private pathway for surgical care, but experts and advocates say major gaps remain. The dual practice model is scheduled to launch this fall, with the first...
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EBHS’s Sandau looks to pay it forward with next generation
As Eagle Butte High School valedictorian Kassidy Sandau looks to the future, she, above all else, wants to hold on to the driving powers of art and of hope. It was in Grade 11 when Sandau says she started to enjoy going to school each day. Knowing...
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Brooks talks data centres; Limited info available on megaproject proposed in Newell
As the Alberta government seeks to exploit a data-centre boom, the City of Brooks is weighing potential benefits and drawbacks of joining in. Around 150 people turned out last Wednesday for a public information session featuring municipal officials,...
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What do they think of the separation referendum?
Alberta is planning to ask residents in an Oct. 19 referendum whether the province should stay in Canada or if there should be a future binding referendum on separation. It was prompted by two citizen-led petitions. A petition from the group Forever...
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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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