(Image Credit: Jett Schwaier/CHAT News)

By Jett Schwaier

CITY HALL

Medicine Hat City Council approves $65.75M debenture for Saamis Solar project

Mar 3, 2026 | 12:59 AM

The Medicine Hat City Council has approved a borrowing bylaw to issue $65.75 million in debentures to support an investment decision for the Saamis Solar project at its meeting on March 2, 2026.

The bylaw states that the municipality will borrow the funds for up to 25 years from the Province of Alberta or another authorized lender, with the project expected to last at least 30 years.

At an earlier meeting, the council said the project is expected to be profitable, strengthen the City’s finances and boost dividends from its municipally owned energy business without raising property taxes or electricity rates, and approved a $131.5 million budget contingent on finalizing a long-term energy sales contract before construction begins.

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READ: Borrowing costs for Saamis Solar Project in front of Medicine Hat City Council on Monday

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Topics and items also discussed in the meeting included resuming the Rural Renewal Immigration Program, budget amendments for police body-worn cameras, a proposed Downtown Enhancement and Safety Grant, inductions into the Medicine Hat Sports Wall of Fame, an amendment to the Dishonoured Payment Bylaw, and councillor announcements.

Council has decided to resume the Rural Renewal Program in Medicine Hat, effective May 4, 2026.

The program helps attract skilled workers and connects immigrants with employers for community endorsement.

Bow Island remains in the program, while Cypress County and Redcliff have not returned.

Council has approved the police body-worn camera initiative with a $380,340 grant to fund a three-year Digital Evidence Management System, meeting provincial standards for public safety, accountability, and evidence management.

The council discussed how the system will securely store digital evidence and provide accountability for frontline officers with no additional cost to the city.

A Downtown Enhancement and Safety Grant program has been approved by the council.

The initiative provides funding to support commercial property owners and business operators with permanent property improvements that enhance security and reduce crime.

The program covers 50 percent of eligible, pre-approved, pre-tax expenses, with grants ranging from $250 to $5,000, and a total of $70,000 is available in 2026.

Applications open on April 13 and will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis through the completion of an online application form on the Medicine Hat Economic Development website.

The council has approved the induction of Robert Grisonich, Wade Peterson, and Wes King-Hunter to the Medicine Hat Sports Wall of Fame, with a public ceremony to be held at a later date.

Council gave first reading to Bylaw 4869-2026 to reduce the city’s dishonoured payment fee from $44 to $10, aligning with new federal caps on non-sufficient funds fees.

At the beginning of the meeting, councillors had many announcements and recaps, including an event commemorating Black History Month, the Coldest Night of the Year walk, the Top 7 Over 70 nominations, the Medicine Hat Activity Expo, and the 2026 Budget.

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READ: An event marking Black History Month in Medicine Hat focused on youth empowerment

READ: Coldest Night of the Year walk in Medicine Hat raises over $20k goal for The Mustard Seed

READ: Nomination applications for the Top 7 Over 70 Awards are set to open

READ: Activity Expo this Sunday at the Medicine Hat Mall

READ: Multibillion-dollar budget deficit on tap as Alberta introduces its 2026 budget

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