Medicine Hat

Welcome

The community of Medicine Hat extends a warm southern Alberta welcome to everyone. For those who are familiar with Medicine Hat...come on back and see how we’ve grown. For those of you that are just discovering Medicine Hat……you’re going to want to stay!

As a Council, it is our job to set a course that will allow our city to achieve its vision to be a "Community of Choice" - to be a place where people choose to live, work and play. Medicine Hat residents and businesses enjoy a quality of life that is hard to match. We have so much to offer. Besides being the sunniest city in Canada with mild winters, it's the friendliness of our residents, great outdoor experiences, and a quality of life that are second to none. In addition to Medicine Hat being a great place to live, it is our people, our natural resources and our location that make Medicine Hat a sought after community.

Our city has grown to a population in excess of fifty-six thousand and our economy is firing on all cylinders. As a result of the entrepreneurial spirit of our forefathers, Medicine Hat invested and developed its own gas and electrical utilities in the early 1900s. Careful stewardship and sound strategic business decisions have resulted in these utilities providing the community of Medicine Hat with an unmatched quality of life. Medicine Hat residents and businesses experience the lowest combined tax rates in Canada, the lowest utility rates in Alberta, friendly people, safe streets and an enviable climate.

The scenic South Saskatchewan River valley is the backdrop for Medicine Hat, a community with more than 90 kilometres (56 miles) of hiking/biking trails and 250 hectares of parks. There are six first class golf courses and a multitude of superior sport/leisure facilities.

Arts, culture and music play a key role in the lives of our residents. The Esplanade Arts and Heritage Centre officially opened its doors on October 22, 2005. The Esplanade brings together our museum, archives and art gallery. In addition, the Esplanade adds a new performing arts theatre and discovery centre all under one roof. The Esplanade is a place for everyone - a community centre at the centre of the community - where we will celebrate and showcase the spirit of Medicine Hat.

We have a deep and interesting history, which we invite you to discover through our varied tourism destination locations.

Whether you are planning a visit, interested in a new business venture or considering a location for industrial expansion, Medicine Hat is a community of choice, progress and opportunity. Come and experience the “Hat”. Our Mission is to "exceed expectations in the value of our services".

Mayor Garth Vallely

Area Overview

The City of Medicine Hat is a thriving city of 56,048 (as of June 2005) people located in Southeastern Alberta.

When Alberta was incorporated as a Canadian Province in 1905, Medicine Hat was the largest southeastern community and its residents were already using natural gas as an inexpensive source of energy. Medicine Hat soon developed as a prime location in western Canada for industry, trade and distribution.

Medicine Hat is located at the southeast entrance to Alberta's industrial corridor. It is the first city in Alberta on the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) and CP Rail. From here, highway networks and railways connect to Pacific ports in British Columbia and the State of Washington. The city has excellent air, highway and rail facilities and is served by regional and national airlines, rail companies and trucking companies.

The Trans-Canada Highway and 13th Avenue SE underpass was completed in November, 2004. The $10 million interchange project was funded completely by the Alberta Government and included east and west bound bridges. Approximately 16,000 vehicles a day travel Highway 1 in the location of the new interchange.

Medicine Hat is a diversified manufacturing centre producing a variety of industrial and consumer goods for domestic and export markets. In addition, agriculture is also a major contributor to the economic stability of the Medicine Hat area.

The people who live and work in Medicine Hat come from a diversified rural agricultural and small business background with good work skills, experience with shift work, dedication to training and a strong work ethic. Medicine Hat is one of the most highly industrialized cities in Canada on a per capita basis. Also, Medicine Hat has a high quality of life, with numerous outdoor and indoor recreational facilities as well as cultural facilities.

City Council completed a review of the Municipal Development Plan, which provides a 20-year planning horizon for the city. By 2024, the plan calls for continued self-sufficiency from energy and land development. We will respect our natural resources and be conscientious stewards of water and energy. We will continue to have a safe and attractive community due to well-managed growth. The city will continue to thrive and attract people. We will continue to be blessed with above-average community services and still have below average costs of living. Medicine Hat will be THE magnet for services and is a major driver of economic opportunity within the region. We are a community that others can only dream about.

A number of events put Medicine Hat in the national spotlight. In 2004, our very own Kalan Porter won the Canadian Idol title (Kalan Porter). The Medicine Hat Tigers won the 2004 Western Hockey League Championship. We hosted the 2004 Continental Cup of Curling and the 2005-2006 Canada Cup Baseball Championships. In addition, Medicine Hat has been awarded the 2008 Alberta Summer Games.

Climate

Medicine Hat is Canada's sunniest city. The 2005 Environment Canada study reports that Medicine Hat receives an average of 2,513 hours of sunshine per year, which makes it the sunniest city in all of Canada.

The climate in Medicine Hat is semi-arid and characterized by dry, hot summers and mild winters. Warm chinook winds during the winter add to the pleasant weather conditions. The average temperature during July is 23 Celsius (73.4 Fahrenheit); during January is -12.6 Celsius (9.3 Fahrenheit). Mean rainfall is only 230 mm (8.7 inches) per year.

Community Services

MUNICIPAL

City of Medicine Hat
City Hall, 580 - 1st Street SE
Medicine Hat, Alberta
T1A 8E6
Tel: 403-529-8353
Fax: 403-502-8061
Toll Free: 1-888-4-The-Hat (1-888-484-3428)
Website: www.medicinehat.ca
email: business@medicinehat.ca

Search the website for:

• Assessment and Taxation
• Building Permits and Inspections
• Business Licence
• Business Support
• Land and Properties
• Licensing
• Transit
• Public Utilities
• Parks and Outdoor Recreation
• Community Development
• Culture and Recreation
• Medicine Hat Public Library

Alberta Government

Advanced Education Alberta Agriculture Alberta Economic Development Alberta Opportunity Company Child Welfare Crown Prosecutor Court of the Queen's Bench Energy Resources Conservation Board Family and Social Services Fish and Wildlife Medical Examiner-Coroner Mental Health Clinic Medicine Hat Remand Centre Provincial Parks Provincial Court Public Lands Transportation and Utilities Vehicle Inspection

Government of Canada

• Environment Canada
• Federal Business Development Bank
• Canada Employment Centre
• National Defence [CFB Suffield]
• Prairie Farm Rehabilitation Administration
• Revenue Canada
• Transport Canada

Architectual stylings of St. Patrick's Church

Community Lifestyle

RECREATION

Medicine Hat residents have more recreational facilities per capita than most other cities in Canada. We offer superior recreational facilities, more than 90 kilometres (56 miles) of hiking/biking trails and 250 hectares of parks. There are six first-class golf courses, three indoor and four outdoor pools, six indoor ice arena's, indoor and outdoor waterslides, soccer fields, baseball diamonds, tennis courts, skateboard park and BMX track. If you enjoy ice, water or sun, there's a sport for every season.

Major parks in Medicine Hat include Echo Dale Park Regional Park [650 acre park with man-made swimming lake and boating lake], Strathcona Island Park [100 acre park designed for family activities], Police Point Park [400 acre natural woodland park], and Kin Coulee Park [100 acre park designed for family activities].

The newest addition to Medicine Hat's numerous leisure and recreational facilities is the South Ridge Recreation and Wellness Centre. The Centre opened its doors in 2004 and was made possible by a five-party agreement involving the Family YMCA, Medicine Hat Catholic Board of Education, The Medicine Hat School District #76, Southridge Community Association and the City of Medicine Hat. The centre has a mulit-purpose room for classes and/or meetings, weight room, walking/running track, cardio workout room and field house gymnasium.

The Medicine Hat Family Leisure Centre is located on 23 hectares (57 acres) in the northwest part of the city. The $17.3 million state of the art facility includes a 50 metre multipurpose pool, a wave pool, swirl pool, children's pool, steam room and the "Rip-n-Rattler" water slide. Located in the same building is a 100' x 200' ice surface (hockey rink) along with a variety of meeting rooms, entertainment rooms and food concession. Outside activities have not been forgotten at the Centre as it boasts three regulation size soccer pitches, one premier (lighted) sports field for football/soccer/rugby and four high quality ball diamonds.

For the avid hockey sports fan, Medicine Hat is home to the Medicine Hat Tigers of the Western Canada Junior Hockey League.

Three private campgrounds and one municipally operated campground provide a full range of facilities (224 camping sites). All of the campgrounds offer access to the regional trail system, the Trans-Canada Highway (Highway 1) and Highway #3 providing visitors with safe and easy access to many of the city's major parks, attractions and businesses.

Medicine Hat is 45 minutes from Cypress Hills Provincial Park. Cypress Hills is one of the few areas in the southeast untouched by the glacial period. The Park offers superb recreational amenities including boating, hiking and skiing. The park is a great place to spend a weekend camping!

COMMUNITY ORGANIZATIONS

With over 312 organizations in Medicine Hat, there is a club to interest everyone. For more information, please refer to the Southeast Alberta Regional Directory, which lists contact names, meeting times and fees for every organization in Medicine Hat. Visit the City of Medicine Hat's website at www.medicinehat.ca and follow the links under City Services/Community Development/Communiry Organizations, or call the City of Medicine Hat Community Development Department at (403) 529-8311 for a copy.

RELIGIOUS FACILITIES

There are more than 40 places of worship in Medicine Hat, covering most denominations. A complete listing of churches and religious organizations is found in the Telephone Directory Yellow Pages under "church and religious organizations".

SPECIAL ANNUAL EVENTS/ATTRACTIONS

The Esplanade Arts and Heritage Centre, a multi-million dollar project, officially opened its doors on October 22, 2005. The Esplanade brings together our museum, archives and art gallery, as well as adds a new performing arts theatre and discovery centre all under one roof. The Esplanade is a place for everyone - a community centre at the centre of the community - where we will celebrate and showcase the spirit of Medicine Hat.

The award-winning Medicine Hat Cultural Centre, located on the Medicine Hat College campus, houses the College's Conservatory of Music and Dance for students of all ages. The facility provides teaching and studio space for visual artists and rehearsal and performance space for dance and theatre groups hosted by community cultural organizations. Programs offered by the City in the arts and crafts are available to the entire community.

Downtown Medicine Hat's symbol of progress and efficiency, the award-winning City Hall, embodies a startling architectural style complete with a myriad of windows letting in the Southern Alberta sunshine. City Hall is home to a brick mural by local artist James Marshall which depicts one of the legends of Medicine Hat.

The Police Point Nature Centre is located in a nature reserve and offers interpretive programs which explore the natural and historical aspects of the South Saskatchewan River Basin.

The Medicine Hat Public Library also hosts art exhibits, concerts and public seminars. Other attractions in Medicine Hat include the Connaught Golf Club, Medicine Hat Golf and Country Club, Cottonwood Coulee Golf Course, Downtown Historic Tour, Saamis TePee, Gas City Campground, Wild Rose Campground, Exhibition and Stampede Grounds, and waterslides.

ANNUAL EVENTS:

• The Spectrum Festival - June
• Canada Day Celebration - July 1
• Home & Garden Tradeshow - March
• Medicine Hat Exhibition & Stampede - July/August
• Medicine Hat Indoor Pro Rodeo
• Medicine Hat College Rattler Run
• YMCA Fun Run
• Christmas Craft Tradeshow - November

ANNUAL CULTURAL EVENTS:

• Jazz Festival - June
• Junior Strings Camp
• Rotary Music Festival - March
• One Act Play Festival
• Musical Theatre
• Craft Co-Mingle - November
• Artisan's Fair - September

HOSPITALITY

Nightlife, dining and shopping are other great traditional activities that are widely enjoyed. Medicine Hat also has 3 shopping malls: the Medicine Hat Mall, South View Centre and the Medicine Hat Co-op Mall. The City also has several power centres such as the Real Canadian Superstore, Wal-Mart, London Drugs, Winners, The Bay, Sears, Zellers, Canadian Tire, SportCheck, Home Depot, Totem Building Supplies, Leons Furniture, Revy Home Centres and Staples.

Medicine Hat has a healthy, safe and energetic downtown with over 200 businesses and services including jewellers, clothing stores, legal and accounting professionals, drugstores, movie theatres and many fine restaurants and hotels. Downtown Medicine Hat has maintained its historic charm with antique gas lamps and brick sidewalks. The beautiful downtown district is attractive to customers whose patronage keeps the downtown shops thriving.

ACCOMMODATION

Medicine Hat has a wide range of local and regional hotels, with in excess of 1200 rooms available in the city. A complete listing of accomodations is listed in the Telephone Directory under Yellow Pages "Hotels and Motels".

RESTAURANTS

There are a variety of dining experiences, including many ethnic specialty restaurants, available in Medicine Hat. A complete listing of restaurants is listed in the Telephone Directory under Yellow Pages "Restaurants".

Family Leisure Centre - Good times for all!!

Economic Base

Natural resources in the Medicine Hat area include clay deposits, natural gas, coal, oil and construction aggregates such as sand and gravel.

Agriculture is a primary contributor to the economy of the Medicine Hat area. With the longest growing season [120+days] and the highest number of growing degree days, the area produces a variety of crops which provide feed for the livestock industry and raw materials for food processing industries. Much of the area is irrigated although traditional dryland farming is still predominant. Wheat constitutes a major portion of both dryland and irrigated crops. Other crops include canola, flax, barley and oats. Specialty crops include corn, carrots, safflower, sunflowers and beans. In addition, the Medicine Hat - Redcliff area is known as the "Greenhouse Centre of Western Canada", with more acres under glass than any other area [~97 acres in 2006]. The cattle industry is also a major component of the agricultural sector around Medicine Hat. Finally, food processing is one of the most important economic development opportunities in southern Alberta.

Manufacturing is one of the strongest sectors of the Medicine Hat economy, producing a variety of industrial and consumer goods for domestic and export markets including tires for automobiles and heavy equipment, anhydrous ammonia and granulated urea for fertilizers, clay brick and refractories, thermal carbon black, catalyst compounds for gasoline production, compressors, pressure vessels, furniture, playground equipment, flour, cereals and feeds, business forms and commercial printing.

Canadian Forces Base Suffield is a 1,000 square mile facility located 56 km (34.8 miles) northwest of Medicine Hat. This training area is shared with the British Army Training Unit [BATUS]. CFB Suffield is the largest testing area for advanced weapons technology and military robotics applications. These combined activities contribute $120 million per year to the local economy through payrolls in military and civilian personnel and purchases of goods and services.

The strengths of the manufacturing and service sector in combination with agriculture and the economic benefits associated with Canadian Forces Base Suffield support a strong and expanding retail sector in Medicine Hat.

Canadian and British military training at CFB Suffield

Economic Facts

In addition to the major manufacturing businesses summarized below, there are dozens of smaller firms which are important contributors to the economy. Products manufactured by these firms include dairy products, vertical blinds, modular housing, marble and onyx products, playground equipment, ceramic insulators, compressors, storage tanks, pipeline equipment, mining equipment and drills, pressure vessels, metal fabricated products, potting soil and concrete.

MAJOR BUSINESSES - PRODUCTS/SERVICES

• Goodyear Canada, Inc. - Automotive & Farm Tires
• Canadian Fertilizers Ltd. - Liquid Anhydrous Ammonia & Granulated Urea
• I-XL Industries Ltd. - Clay Bricks
• Moduline Industries - Manufactured Homes
• Cancarb Limited - Thermal Carbon Black
• ADM Milling Company - Flour, Cereal and Feeds
• Relizon Canada - Business Forms, Computer,Register Forms & Snapsets
• Criterian Catalyst and Technologies - Hydrotreating & Hydrocracking Catalysts, Catalyst Regeneration
• Allwest Compressor Services Ltd - Machine Components [compressor parts]
• Indepor Inc. - Electrical Porcelain Insulators
• S.F. Scott Manufacturing Co Ltd - Playground Equipment, Chain-link Fencing
• Landmark Feeds - Livestock Feeds
• Blinds By Vertican - Vertical, Venetians & Pleated Blinds

FINANCIAL INSTITUTIONS

• Alberta Treasury Branches
• Associates Financial Services of Canada Ltd (AVCO)
• Bank of Montreal
• Bank of Nova Scotia
• Business Development Bank of Canada
• Canada Trust
• Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce
• Community Credit Union Ltd
• HSBC
• Royal Bank
• Royal Trust
• TD Bank Financial Group
• Trans Canada Credit

Cancarb supplies 60% of the world's thermal carbon black

Education

The Medicine Hat School District #76 has 13 elementary schools and 3 secondary schools (Grades 7-12). School Disctrict #76 offers a variety of programs for students, including French Immersion (elementary and high school levels) virtual learning programs, learning assistance programs and outreach programs for junior and senior high school students. District #76 provides programs for students with special needs and also offers training programs for physically and mentally challenged persons. For more information please call (403)528-6700 or visit their web site at Medicine Hat School District #76

The Medicine Hat Catholic Board of Education offers a complete academic program (Kindergarten - Grade 12), including Fine Arts and Business course options. A comprehensive religious education program is offered for all students. The Separate School Division includes six Catholic elementary schools, two middle schools and one high school. For more information please call (403)527-2292 or visit their web site at Medicine Hat Catholic Board of Education

There are 3 private schools in Medicine Hat, the Cornerstone Christian School, the Medicine Hat Christian School and the Montessori Elementary Institute of Southeastern Alberta. The Centre for Academic and Personal Excellence school is a chartered school. Ecole les Cypress is a public francophone school included in the Greater Southern Public Franophone Education Region #4. For information on these schools, please refer to the yellow pages in the telephone book. Medicine Hat believes that education is the key to the future. Great care is taken to ensure the educational facilities provide the best possible instruction for the city's young people.

Medicine Hat Clay Products Industrial Historic Site

Emergency Services

FIRE PROTECTION

The Medicine Hat Fire Department operates from three stations. The significant accomplishment of the completion of Gershaw Drive Fire Station #3, brought along approximately 20 new firefighters to the force. The new fire station will save more than $8,600 annually in energy costs because of the environmental design efficiencies, such as energy efficient 'Low E' glass windows, solar panels for supplementary hot water heating, motion detecting sensors for lighting and low volume water use toilets. [Tel: (403)529-8282 or call 911 for emergencies]

POLICE SERVICES

The Medicine Hat Police Service has 95 officers. After completing a feasibility study, the Police Service purchased Automated External Defibrillators (AEDs) for police vehicles. Statistics show that AEDs increase the survival rate from cardiac arrest. [Tel: (403) 529-8400 or call 911 for emergencies].

AMBULANCE SERVICES

Ambulance service is provided through the Palliser Health Region. For further information please contact (403) 529-8000 or call 911 for emergencies.

Grand Opening of Fire Station #3 - Gershaw Drive

Health Care

The Medicine Hat region is served by the Palliser Health Region, which provide acute care, continuing care and community health services. Medicine Hat has excellent health facilities, including the ultra-modern 325 bed Medicine Hat Regional Hospital. Approximately 31 family physicians and 47 specialists are practising in Medicine Hat. Specialists and facilities in Calgary and Edmonton are also readily accessible by the Palliser Health Region

A number of private and public nursing homes for the elderly and dependent are operational in the community.

Social services in Medicine Hat are provided through the Family and Social Services Department of the Provincial Government, the Social Work Department at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital and a number of voluntary agencies.

If you wish to obtain more information please call (403)528-5663.

Golfing on one of our six picturesque and challenging courses

Key Contacts for Business Development

MUNICIPAL

City of Medicine Hat
City Hall 580 - 1st Street SE
Medicine Hat, Alberta
T1A 8E6
Tel: 403-529-8373
Fax: 403-502-8055
website: www.medicinehat.ca

Garth Vallely, Mayor
Tel: (403) 529-8181
Fax: (403) 529-8182
email: mayor@medicinehat.ca.
website: www.medicinehat.ca

City of Medicine Hat Business Support Office
Keith Crush, Business Development Officer
Toll free 1-888-4THEHAT
Direct: (403) 529-8373
Fax: (403) 502-8055
email: business@medicinehat.ca.
website: www.medicinehat.ca

REGIONAL

Economic Development Alliance, Southeast Alberta
Harold Wilson, Executive Director
Tel: (403) 488-7015
Fax: (403) 488-7017
email: info@edalliance.ca.
website: www.edalliance.ca

Palliser Economic Partnership
Elvira Smid, Administrative Manager
Tel: 403-529-3630
Fax: 403-529-3140
email: business@palliseralberta.com.
website: www.palliseralberta.com

Entre-Corp Business Development Centre Ltd.
Community Futures Development Corporation
Les Erickson, General Manager
Tel: (403) 528-2824
Fax: (403) 527-3596
email: bizinfo@entre-corp.com.
website: www.entre-corp.com

Medicine Hat and District Chamber of Commerce
Mary-Lou Hansen, Executive Director
Tel: (403) 527-5214
Fax: (403) 527-5182
email: marylou@medicinehatchamber.com
website: www.medicinehatchamber.com

Tourism Medicine Hat
Toll Free:1-800-481-2822
Direct: (403) 527-6422
Fax: (403) 528-2682
email: marylou@medhatchamber.com
website: www.tourismmedicinehat.com

PROVINCIAL

Alberta Economic Development
Elvira Smid, Regional Manager
elvira.smid@gov.ab.ca
109 Provincial Building
346 - 3 Street S.E. Medicine Hat, Alberta
T1A 0G7
Tel: 403-529-3630
Fax: 403-529-3140
Gloria Filgas, Information Officer
gloria.filgas@gov.ab.ca

Honourable Rob Renner
Minister of Municipal Affairs
Member of the Legislative Assembly [MLA]
Medicine Hat Constituency
#227 Legislature Building
10800 - 97 Avenue
Edmonton AB
T5K 2B6
Tel: 780-427-3744
Fax: 780-422-9550

Constituency Office:
620 - 3rd Street SE
Medicine Hat, AB
T1A 0H5
Tel: 403-527-5622
Fax: 403-527-5112
medicine.hat@assembly.ab.ca

Leonard Mitzel
Member of the Legislative Assembly [MLA]
Cypress-Medicine Hat Constituency
620 Legislature Annex
9718 107 Street
Edmonton AB
T5K 1E4
Tel: 780-415-9590
Fax: 780-415-0951

Constituency Office:
Trans Canada Place
3, 1299 Trans Canada Way
Medicine Hat, AB
T1B 1H9
Tel: 1-866-339-2191
Tel: 403-528-2191
Fax: 403-528-2278
cypress.medicinehat@assembly.ab.ca

FEDERAL  

Monte Solberg - Minister of Citizenship & Immigration
Member of Parliament [MP]
Medicine Hat Constituency
House of Commons
Ottawa, Ontario
K1A 0A6
Telephone: 613-992-4516
Fax: 613-992-6181
Solberg.M@parl.gc.ca

Constituency Office:
419 3rd Street SE Room 24
Medicine Hat, Alberta
T1A0G9  

Location

The City of Medicine Hat is the major urban centre in Southeast Alberta, and is the southeast entrance to Alberta's industrial corridor. It is 293 km (182 miles) southeast of Calgary, 1,347 km (837 miles) east of Vancouver, British Columbia, and 467 km (290 miles) west of Regina, Saskatchewan.

As for U.S. locations, Medicine Hat is 160 km (99.5 miles)from the Wildhorse border crossing, 192 km (119 miles) to Coutts - 24 hour border crossing and 1,289 km (801 miles) from Seattle. Click on the following link to Find Medicine Hat

World's Tallest Tepee

Post Secondary Education

The Medicine Hat College is a comprehensive, community oriented college whose primary mission is to provide quality education, training and services to its students and local community. As an innovative and progressive institution, it provides a broadly based educational curriculum, including selected pre-employment trades training, apprenticeship and upgrading programs. The College works closely with local companies to ensure training is appropriate to their requirements and will provide custom-designed training programs to meet the needs of local industries.

The College offers over 40 full-time programs ranging from certificate and diploma programs in business, technology, early childhood development, travel and tourism, rehabilitation services, nursing, police, security and visual communications to university transfer programs.

For more information please call (403) 529-3811 or visit their web site at Medicine Hat College

The Corporate Education Network (CENetwork) is a comprehensive website that promotes a "one-stop-shop" of training services available to individuals and businesses in Southeast Alberta. User of the CENetwork can research, compare and register for training courses, events and facilities all in one centralized online location.

This initiative was made possible through a partnership with Entre-Corp Business Development Centre, Medicine Hat College, Palliser Economic Partnership and the Office of Learning Technologies - Human Resources and Social Development. Visit the CENetwork website at CENetwork

Taxation

MILL RATES [2006]

Residential: 8.9332 Non-Residential: 20.222 Mill rates are set by bylaws. If you wish to obtain more information please phone (403)529-8114.

Department of Finance

Transportation

AIR SERVICE

Medicine Hat's Municipal Airport is operated and maintained by the City of Medicine Hat, located west of the city within ten minutes from the downtown core and also serves Canadian Forces Base Suffield.

The Medicine Hat Municipal Airport is equipped with a 5000 foot runway and up to date aviation/navigational equipment. It has the facilities to accomodate small private aircraft right up to medium haul jet airliners.

Commercial air services are provided by Air Canada. Air Canada offers direct flights daily to Calgary International Airport for links with all international and domestic flights.

RAIL SERVICE

Canadian Pacific Railways serves Medicine Hat from its main line. Medicine Hat is a divisional point for CP Rail which splits south to the Crowsnest Pass and north to the Kicking Horse Pass, both links to the Pacific coast. Northern Alberta markets are served through inter-switching with CN Rail and access to the United States can be accomplished at various border points through inter-switching with Burlington Northern Railway and Soo Line Railway.

CP Rail utilizes intermodal transportation systems which combine the benefits of rail and truck.

HIGHWAYS

The Trans-Canada Highway #1 [east-west] offers direct connections to all major urban centres in Canada. Highway #3 [Crowsnest Highway] connects the city to Vancouver via the southern route through the Canadian Rocky Mountains and south to the U.S. border via Highway #4 at Lethbridge, Alberta [24-Hour Border Crossing - Coutts]. Highway 41 connects Medicine Hat to northern Alberta and south to the U.S. [Border Crossing - Wildhorse].

TRUCKING FIRMS

Medicine Hat has a network of trucking firms offering local, provincial, national and international intermodal freight services. The services provided include special bodies and containers for household goods, grain, bulk fertilizer, heavy equipment, oilfield equipment, refrigerated or frozen goods and a broad range of manufactured products.

These trucking firms provide services to the Calgary International Airport and to Pacific ports in Vancouver, Seattle and Tacoma, as well as inter-connections across Canada and the United States.

BUS SERVICES

Greyhound Bus Lines (www.greyhound.com) operates regular daily scheduled service to all Canadian cities.

TRANSIT

The City of Medicine Hat provides a fully integrated and fully accessible transit service throughout the community six days a week.

COURIERS AND TAXIS

Medicine Hat is served by several local and regional courier companies. Local taxi service is provided by Care Cabs Ltd. and Deluxe Central Taxi.

Rail and river - what started our community over 100 years ago

Utilities

ELECTRICAL POWER

The City of Medicine Hat Electric Utility has been supplying the electrical power needs of the city since 1904. The Medicine Hat power plant, electrical transmission and distribution systems are owned and operated by the City. Rates for electrical energy are set by City bylaws. In addition to supplying the requirements of Medicine Hat, the Utility's service area includes Redcliff, Dunmore and some of the surrounding rural areas. The City's Power Plant was the first utility-owned, combined cycle co-generation plant in Canada.

The successful completion of the General Electric LM6000 gas-fired turbine is a testament to the City's mission to exceed expectations with our services. The main goals in deciding to undertake the $53 million project were to meet the demands of our Electric Utility customers, improve power plant efficiencies to reduce fuel costs and reduce environmental emissions. In 2004, the City saved $3.7 million in operating costs compared to the older turbine the LM6000 replaced.

The Electric Utility entered into an agreement with Canada's largest generator of wind energy - Vision Quest - to annually produce and deliver 13,050 megawatt hours of wind power to Alberta's energy grid. Like other consumers of electricity, Medicine Hat has access to this environmentally friendly energy source through its electric energy imports from the grid. Going Green fits with the City's Nature's Best Program, which encourages the production of renewable energy sources, the wise use of natural resources and safeguarding the environment.

There are 3 classes of rates for business, commercial, industrial and institutional consumers based on the level of usage: General Service Rate [Class E.3.1]; General Service Rate [Class E.3.3]; and Primary Metered Rate [Class E.4.1]. Contact the Medicine Hat Electric Utility at (403)529-8262 or visit our website at www.medicinehat.ca and click on City Services to follow the links to the Utility Services Division for more information on rates and classifications .

NATURAL GAS

The City of Medicine Hat Gas Utility has been supplying the community with natural gas since 1901. The City operates a fully integrated production and distribution system. The department operates gas wells in fields within Southeastern Alberta and in Southwestern Saskatchewan.

Rates for gas supply to industries are set by bylaw or special contract. In addition to supplying the requirements of Medicine Hat, the Utility's service also includes the Town of Redcliff and some surrounding rural areas.

Contact the Medicine Hat Gas Utility for information on usage rates and classifications at (403)529-8190 or visit our website at www.medicinehat.ca and click on City Services to follow the links to the Utility Services Division.

WATER SUPPLY

Industrial processing water is supplied by the South Saskatchewan River and an underground aquifer. The water treatment plant [for South Saskatchewan River] has a plant capacity of 205 million litres per day.

Water and sewer user charges are set by bylaws. If you wish to obtain more information please phone (403)529-8176 or visit our website at www.medicinehat.ca and click on City Services to follow the links to the Utility Services Division.

WASTE MANAGEMENT

Medicine Hat's secondary sewage treatment plant has a capacity of 45,000 cubic metres/day. The city's effluent is well below the province's standards.

Solid waste management and a recycling program are managed by the City and the rates are set by City bylaw. If you wish to obtain more information please phone (403)529-8176 or visit our website at www.medicinehat.ca and click on City Services to follow the links to the Utility Services Division.

Medicine Hat City Hall

Population

Total Population 1991-2001

Medicine Hat Population by Age Group (2001)

Education Statistics

Medicine Hat Highest Level of Schooling 2001

Labour Force

Medicine Hat Labour Force By Industry - 2001

Income

Family Expenditure

Medicine Hat Family Expenditures (1996)

Building Permits

Total Housing Starts

Value of Building Permits

Dwellings

Projects

Summary of Projects in Medicine Hat as of September 2006

Value of Projects by Sector (as of September 2006)

Largest Projects in Medicine Hat as of September 2006