A new COVID-19 relief program could be coming to citizens of Medicine Hat . Coun. Phil Turnbull put forwarda notice of motion at Monday's meeting. City staff have been directed to come back with recommendations that will be voted on at the next meeting (Tiffany Goodwein/CHATNewsToday)

By Tiffany Goodwein

Council to vote on second relief program

More COVID-19 relief could be coming to Medicine Hat residents

Jul 5, 2021 | 11:38 PM

MEDICINE HAT, AB– A second COVID-19 relief program valued at up to $4.5 million could be coming to Medicine Hat.

Citing the tough times endured by citizens over the past 18 months, Councillor Phil Turnbull put forward the notice of motion at Monday’s council meeting.

“I just want to make sure that people who might be struggling whether that be trying to make their utility payments, trying to make their phone bill, or get back to work, that we can help them in some manner,” Coun. Turnbull said.

While full details won’t be known until the next council meeting, Coun. Turnbull said the second program will be geared towards supporting individual residents as opposed to businesses.

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When questioned by CHAT News about the timing of the motion, given the length of time residents have been impacted by job losses and uncertainty, Coun. Turnbull said:

“So somebody said, ‘boy it must be election time Phil Turnbull. Well let me tell you, whether I was running or not, the responsibility of council is to act when it needs to be acted, and here we are coming to the end of a very difficult time. A lot of people are hurting. So we have a rainy day fund which is our Heritage Fund, and if this is a rainy day for a lot of our citizens, we have a responsibility to do something,” he said.

Coun. Turnbull said the main intent is to assist the community in transitioning to a normal set of circumstances now that restrictions have been lifted.

The notice of motion was unanimously approved. City staff have been directed to come forward with recommendations that will be voted on at the next council meeting.

Mayor Ted Clugston said he is still “on the fence” about supporting another program, due to how much the municipality has spent on COVID-19 supports thus far.

“As a municipality, we have spent more per capita than any other one on this type of program. Even with the waterfront stuff, and another tranche of grants going out and out, so I am going to kind of wait and see what staff comes back with,” Mayor Clugston said.

In May 2020, council approved an $8.2 million COVID-19 assistance package. That included up to $2 million towards the Medicine Hat Business Innovation Grant. The grant was used to help businesses pivot amid the COVID-19 restrictions. The assistance package also included a $3.9 million property tax credit, which kept property tax increases at zero. Money from the program was also allocated to support the city’s vulnerable and to expedite economic development.

The next council meeting takes place Aug. 3 2021.