City of Medicine Hat launches open data portal

Adding that these portals promote transparency, innovation, and accountability, allowing developers, residents, and businesses to download, analyze, and use the data for free, provided they acknowledge the disclaimer.

One benefit of opening the data to the public is an expected reduction in information requests and the need for staff to respond to them.

The City says this will empower the public to use data for their own business and personal use, and provide valuable insights that help build stronger, more informed communities.

It adds that early in this Council term, a commitment to providing exceptional and efficient customer service became clear as a cornerstone of the new mandate.

City administration collaborated across multiple departments to advance this project.

“This open data portal demonstrates our commitment to transparency, accountability, and collaboration,” the City’s Managing Director of Development and Infrastructure, Pat Bohan, said.

“By making public municipal data accessible, we empower residents, businesses, and community partners to turn information into new services, applications, and economic activity.”

The project will also support an operational need in the parks and recreation department, according to the City.

It was identified by City Staff with work connected to the Growing Canada’s Community Canopy Grant, the need for reliable, accessible data on City-owned trees.

This includes where they are, what species and sizes, and how that information could be shared consistently to support local school involvement in the project.

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READ: Medicine Hat residents will be able to pick up a free tree later this month (May 12, 2026)

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The City provided a preview of how the portal could be used to the business community at a Southeast Alberta Chamber of Commerce event on Thursday morning.

Datasets currently included in the portal include 47 downloadable files from public washrooms to water and sewer pipes.

City officials have confirmed that this is the first iteration of the portal, and more datasets will continue to be added.

“Providing downloadable open data will cut red tape, improve customer service and demonstrate a commitment to providing open information to the public,” Bohan said.

The portal is available at opendata.medicinehat.ca.

by Jesse Gill

City of Medicine Hat launches open data portal

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