Year in review: Here are the stories that shaped Medicine Hat in 2023

The people of Medicine Hat and area define what the community is made of.

Over the course of 2023, we covered many stories where Hatters, residents of Redcliff and others who call Cypress County their home made a difference in their community.

Here’s a snapshot of what the community here is made of:

– Medicine Hat father brings white Christmas magic to his front lawn

– Local surgeon announces his retirement after treating the community for 38 years

– Two-year-old Redcliff girl gets new stuffed animal after original buried in honour of former employee

– Billet families: A home away from home

– Legacy of football coach continues thanks to former colleagues

– Brooks teen finds his kidney match

– ‘Lasting legacy’: Longtime Medicine Hat educator and leader has passed away

– Ice cream truck supplying treats and bringing back memories for Hatters

– ‘Repurposing underutilitized spaces’: Community garden relocating to north end tennis court

– Monarch Theatre makes its comeback with ‘Your Cinema Needs You’ premiere

These community stories that define what Medicine Hat is made of will, as always, be covered by CHAT News.

CIVIC TURMOIL IN THE HAT

It’s been a tumultuous year for Medicine Hat’s city council.

That much has been acknowledged by the mayor and several councillors that are looking forward to a 2024 that could present an opportunity for a fresh year at city hall.

Utility rates became a central storyline for Medicine Hat after prices skyrocketed, setting the stage for significant backlash from residents as it sparked citizen movements like a mayor recall petition and a new ratepayer association.

Here’s a few of the biggest stories to look back at:

– City council passes $33M relief program for utility customers

– City admits error in information shared during public hearing on utility rates

– Medicine Hat’s interim ‘best-of-market’ electricity rate starts, drops 8 cents

– Ratepayer association calls on city to scrap utility access fee, council says its under review

– Organizers of failed Medicine Hat mayoral recall petition hope city takes resident concerns seriously

While some of the fervour around utility rates and a pair of petitions has calmed down, the ratepayer association could make headlines again as it promises to continue examining city budget lines and holding member meetings.

ACROSS THE PROVINCE

There’s been big changes from the Alberta government that impact the lives of Hatters.

From an ongoing exploratory effort to leave the Canadian Pension Plan to a major overhaul of the health care system, many of the provincial headlines have been generated by Medicine Hat’s number one newsmaker Premier and MLA Danielle Smith.

Here’s some of those headlines:

– New Alberta bill guarantees referendum in provincial pension process

– Alberta revamps health care system, creates separate units

– Six senior leaders at AHS removed from roles

– Alberta announces changes to driver’s license system

– New helium plant signals strong economic diversification as Alberta aims for climate targets

The United Conservative government will decide during 2024 whether it will hold a referendum on leaving the CPP, based on the feedback they receive through an engagement panel. The health care revamp will really get underway later in the year, as well.

SHE SHOOTS, SHE SCORES

The Medicine Hat Tigers hockey team is a source of pride here and CHAT News has been dedicated to covering every aspect, from billeting to drafts. We go beyond hockey, too, covering the stories of the many other amazing Medicine Hat and area athletes.

Our coverage of sports also goes beyond the rink, field or pitch and looks at the lives of those playing and who they are.

Here’s a peek into a few of the stories we covered this year:

– Long-time Medicine Hat resident inducted into Chatham Sports Hall of Fame

– Australian basketball players happy with decision to move to Medicine Hat

– Six Medicine Hat ringette players qualify for Alberta Winter Games

– Twin brothers picked by Tigers in Western Hockey League draft

– Bedard, McKenna following each other’s careers and supporting successes

Our coverage of sports can be found in our sports, local sports and Tigers Now sections.