Municipal Policy

In 2016, the Chamber of Commerce adopted a policy resolution and recommendations based on concerns regarding the City’s proposed solution to the development of 603-1st Street and the restrictions placed on the property. At that time, any development became unattainable. With the current development shifting the property to a public-oriented use, it has created a gathering place for unwanted activity despite the past interest from private developers to invest in that property.

Municipal Policy

The recent, unexpected enforcement of backflow prevention requirements by the City has placed a significant financial burden on affected property owners. The costs associated with compliance, including initial installation, annual inspections, and future device replacements, can present a substantial challenge, particularly for small businesses and non-residential property owners who had not budgeted or planned for the unanticipated requirement.

Municipal Policy

Excessive regulations in planning, building and development processes can slow the progress of development in our community. In order to encourage economic prosperity of our region, there are ways to reduce the regulatory burden on businesses and ensure the City of Medicine Hat is viewed as 'Open for Business."

Municipal Affairs - Municipal Policy

Economic activity in our region is below the desired pace, and this slowed economic activity is having a noticeable local impact. Residents of Southeastern Alberta are earning some of the lowest average wages in the Province which, with the current economy and interest rates, leads quickly to a standard of living below that of our neighbors.

Municipal Affairs, Municipal, Provincial

The current process to discover, investigate, remediate, and redevelop brownfields is onerous, costly, and frustrating for local governments and does not encourage and incentivize the private sector to redevelop brownfields. While Alberta's Municipal Government Act enables local governments to cancel, defer, or reduce the municipal taxes on brownfields through a property tax bylaw, the provincial portion of education taxes remains on the property. In addition, legislation and regulations for remediation and reclamation.

Finance & Taxation - Municipal Policy

In 2011, Development & Infrastructure Division Fees and Charges were proposed to increase by as much as 185%. At that time the Chamber put forward recommendations to re-evaluate the increases and subsequent changes and concerns were addressed. On December 16, 2024, City Council approved planning and development services fees and charges for 2025 and 2026 with limited feedback from the development community, resulting in concerns once the fees and charges were implemented.

Finance & Taxation - Municipal Policy

The off-site levy bylaw #4721 was adopted on November 22, 2022 under the Corvus model with levy rates reviewed each year commencing in 2023 and adjustments made annually based on that same model. With the economy and businesses just starting to recover from challenging financial and regulatory circumstances an incentive program should be implemented to ensure maximum benefit for development in our community and to ease the process and create stability and predictability.

Municipal Affairs - Municipal Policy

An economic development strategy plays a key role in directing and focusing economic development efforts within a region. Currently, several initiatives and organizations are involved in contributing to economic development within the Southeast Alberta region; however, there is no overarching strategy to provide direction to these organizations or to address their role and guide their activities.

Trade & Transportation -Municipal Policy

The Medicine Hat Airport (YXH) has a single air service provider for passenger flight departures from and arrivals to Medicine Hat. The current standards and practices are imposing barriers to increase load capacity for flights from the Medicine Hat catchment area.

Municipal Policy

Unlocking the value of underutilized land in Medicine Hat requires a shift toward transparency, strategic alignment, and community engagement. By publishing inventories, clarifying development costs, and streamlining the EOI process, the City can catalyze inclusive growth, reduce land stagnation, and support the vision outlined in the myMH Master Plan and related ASPs.