(CHAT News)

By Eli J. Ridder | @EliRidder

Medicine Hat utility rates rebate program extended for 2024 after less than expected use

Dec 5, 2023 | 12:21 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – Medicine Hat’s low income utility rebate program will continue for the entirely of 2024 using money leftover from this year after city council approval Monday.

Council first approved a $1.8 million Fair Entry Rebate program in November 2022 with the same applicant requirements as the city’s other low-income rebate initiatives.

It added an additional $500,000 to the program in July 2023 amid skyrocketing utility rates, increasing the fair entry rebate from $300 to $1,200 in total for applicants that received the rebate every month.

ACCESS THE FAIR ENTRY REBATE PROGRAM

Despite the expectation that some 6,000 residents could qualify for the 2023 rebate program, it was only used by 860 applicants as of October.

IN THE COMMUNITY

'Compassionate Friends' offer peer support for bereaved in Medicine Hat

13h ago

POSTAL STRIKE

Donations to Medicine Hat non-profits drop over Canada Post strike

13h ago

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat's Adopt-A-Rink program still seeking volunteers

21h ago

Council on Monday approved using the $1.2 million left over from the 2023 fund for next year and set the rebate at $100 per month for a total of $1,200 in savings for the year.

Coun. Allison Knodel said voting to continue the rebate was a way to support Medicine Hat residents amid an uncertain economy.

“We are seeing financial struggles in our community beyond the level of any year before; truly, this is not an easy time for people,” Knodel told CHAT News after the council meeting.

“We have the opportunity as council to make an impact on those who have low-income or are who are struggling in some way financially, so I think it’s a gift to be able to do that for people.”

Coun. Ramona Robbins said ahead of the vote she wanted the rebates to continue, especially after hearing from impacted residents during a dramatic increase in utility costs earlier this year.

“I could not ever in good conscious say that the continuation of this program is not necessary,” Robbins said.

“Especially when we had a public hearing not long ago when we heard from lots of people who were struggling,” she added.

“We hope that a thousand residents will be able to use this program in 2024 which would take us to the end of the extra money if they all qualified for the full amount.”

Knodel also brought up the idea to continue the rebate program past 2024 during council, a proposal that Robbins showed some support for.

“It will be interesting to have a further discussion once we know where we are next year,” Robbins said.

Along with the low income utility rebate, council voted to extend the fair entry application period from one year to two years.

The fair entry initiative allows low income residents to access Medicine Hat recreation programs, monthly transit passes and Esplanade programs for a discounted cost.