The Mustard Seed is required to cease operations at its North Flats location but there's no defined timeline for that to occur. Jayk Sterkenburg/CHAT News

By Olivia Thorington

IN THE COMMUNITY

Mustard Seed’s North Flats location issued notice to cease operations, city says

Jan 16, 2025 | 4:53 PM

The Mustard Seed was issued a refusal notice Thursday that requires it to cease operations at the organization’s North Flats location after the City of Medicine Hat’s planning commission refused its permit application a day earlier.

The non-profit’s 2020 application was deemed invalid in October 2024 after a review of the file. The Mustard Seed’s recent application aimed to legitimize the current daytime services it offered there and add the overnight shelter element.

With the Municipal Planning Commission’s unanimous vote to deny the application, The Mustard Seed is no longer allowed to operate the Allowance Avenue Southeast location.

The non-profit will have “reasonable time” to “adhere to the conditions of the refusal notice which was just sent today,” a city spokesperson said. The city will also educate the organization on next steps and the legislated enforcement process.

The Mustard Seed did not provide a timeline as to when it would halt its services at 503A Allowance Ave. SE, saying it “remains committed to serving the Medicine Hat community with compassion and care.”

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“While we await further instructions regarding our next steps, we continue to ensure uninterrupted support for those in need,” the organization said in a statement to CHAT News.

“This approach allows us to provide stability for our guests and make any future transitions as smooth and seamless as possible for everyone involved,” the statement added.

“We deeply value the trust and collaboration of our community and are dedicated to keeping you informed as we move forward together.”

Residents have expressed increasing concerns over the placement of the two Mustard Seed sites, saying the behaviour of the vulnerable people who use the organization’s services are bringing illicit drugs, sexual acts, theft and other criminal activities into their neighbourhood.

Over 100 people filled a town hall last week to share their experiences in an emotional forum that featured Mustard Seed CEO James Gardiner, MLA Justin Wright and Mayor Linnsie Clark — key individuals that were at the planning meeting on Wednesday.

A joint effort by the Alberta government and the Medicine Hat Community Housing Society is underway to find a new centralized location for its services.

The non-profit spurred more concerns after it set up restrooms outside its Allowance Avenue location Tuesday evening. The Mustard Seed said it had proactively ordered some items in advance that were delivered to the property earlier than anticipated.

The organization has 21 days from Thursday to appeal the commission’s decision to the Subdivision and Development Appeal Board.