I picked up a publication in Medicine Hat this week, and I am going to enter as much as I can here for reference.
Entering the Hat Christmas 2009
Known as the “oasis of the prairie” for its parks and greenery, the City of Medicine Hat is the major urban centre in southeast Alberta and is the southeast entrance to Alberta’s industrial corridor. Medicine Hat is also the sunniest city in all of Canada!
Population: 61 thousand
Area: 112 square km
Altitude: 721m (2365 feet) above sea level
Sunshine: 2512 hours per year
Geography
The South Saskatchewan River runs through the heart of Medicine Hat. Ross Creek and Seven Persons Creek also wind through the city creating scenic coulees and steep terrain. The city os divided into four quadrants and fourteen diverse neighbourhoods. The east-west boundary is Division Avenue while the north-south boundary is the South Saskatchewan River. Streets run east-west; avenues run north-south.
Distances from Other Cities
Cypress Hills 66km/41mi
Lethbridge 168km/105mi
Calgary 409km/256mi
Edmonton 608km/380mi
Swift Current, SK 217km/136mi
Regina, SK 478km/299mi
USA Border (Wildhorse) 146km/91mi
Havre, MT 218km/136mi
Climate
Sunset on Highway 3
As Canada’s sunniest City, Medicine Hat has the longest growing season in Alberta (188+ days). Summer temperatures average 20 degrees Celsius (68 Fahrenheit). Spring and autumn are generally sunny and mild. Low humidity makes both summer and winter easier to take. In winter, a Chinook wind can raise the temperature by as much as 34 degrees Celsius (93 Fahrenheit) in one day, an experience never to be forgotten! The Chinook is a warm, dry wind that descends the eastern slopes of the Rocky Mountains in winter.
Mean Daily Temperatures
July 23°C (73ºF)
August 22ºC (72°F)
December -8ºC (19ºF)
January -13ºC (9ºF)
Regional Hospital: an accedited 325 bed acute and continuing care facility.
Medicine Hat College: a progressive institution serving more than 2500 students.
Family Leisure Centre: a state-of-the-art facility with large aquatic centre, wave pool, ice arena and much more.
Esplanade: Medicine Hat’s Museum, Art Gallery, Archives and Performing Arts Centre.
Parks System: boasts more than 100 parks, an extensive environmental reserve, and 92km of trails for walking and cycling.
Regional Shopping Destination: largest shopping centre in southeast Alberta including malls, power centres and unique boutique shops in our downtown.
Public Library: a full-service adult and children’s library with collections totalling more than 180,000.
Airport: Regional Air service to Calgary International Airport.
Made in Medicine Hat
Among the products manufactured in Medicine Hat are tires for automobiles and heavy equipment, clay brick, pottery clays, granulated urea and anhydrous ammonia fertilizers, thermal carbon black, catalyst compounds for petrochemical and gas processing, compressors, playground equipment, flour, cereals and feeds, commercial printing and publishing, industrial and military un-manned vehicles and systems.
Cypress Hills
The Cypress Hills rise up to 600 metres above the surrounding prairie, to a maximum elevation of 1468m (4816 feet), making it the highest point between the Rocky Mountains and Labrador. The Cypress Hills are Canada’s first interprovincial park, designated in 1989, and include provincial parks in Alberta and Saskatchewan and the Fort Walsh National Historic Site.
Approximately 700 species of plants and animals thrive in the park, including 14 species of orchids. The park protects the Cypress Hills landscape, which consists of elevated blocks of lush forest, wetlands and fescue grasslands surrounded by dry, mixed prairie.
In 2007 the new Cypress Hills Visitor Centre opened in the Elkwater townsite, offering visitor information and a gift shop. Key park features include the Elkwater townsite (a cottage community sitting at the same elevation as the Banff townsite), Horseshoe Canyon and Reesor Lake viewpoints (offering 100km views on a clear day), over 50km of hiking and cross-country ski trails, lakes, camping, fishing, and wildlife viewing. Additional services include a 9 hole grass green golf course, Hidden Valley Ski Area, excellent fly-fishing areas, accommodation options and tourist services.
Cost of Living
Utility Costs
Why is it called “The Gas City”? Vast reservoirs of high quality natural gas were discovered beneath the city in 1893 and continue to benefit today’s residents by providing revenue for the city and helping to keep the city’s utility rates among the lowest in Canada.
Tax Advantages
It’s a great combination. Medicine Hat’s residents enjoy some of the lowest property taxes and most favourable income tax rates in all of Canada. On top of that, you won’t pay any provincial sales taxes on any goods you buy.
Provincial Income Taxes
Our personal income tax system is very competitive with low personal income tax rates. Alberta has no General Sales Tax and the lowest tax rate on gasoline in the country.
At 10 percent, Alberta has the lowest top marginal income tax rate on personal income in the country. Keeping the top rates low provides an incentive for people to work harder, be more productive and save more. Alberta’s tax system is not only competitive but fair. We have the highest basic and spousal allowances in Canada, at $15,435 for 2007. This means that Alberta residents can earn more money before having to pay any provincial income tax. A working family with twochildren can earn up to $38,200 before paying any provincial income tax because the Alberta Family Employment Tax Credit will offset any taxes paid at that income level.
City Property Taxes
Property Taxes and Utility costs combined, Medicine Hat has the third lowest average of any major city in Canada, only surpassed by St. John’s, NL and Surrey, BC.
Housing
Moving to Medicine Hat from larger cities can be a pleasant surprise when it comes to buying a home. The cost of housing here compares with other cities in Alberta as well as other provinces. Average monthly rent for a two-bedroom apartment is around $660.
Landfill
The city’s landfill is located 3km off Highway 41A, just past city limits. Household hazardous waste is accepted free of charge year round.
Local Radio and TV
MY96 – 96.1FM “Today’s best music”
New Country CHAT – 94.5FM (Country & Western)
Alive 99.5FM (Christian Music)
Rock 105.3 “The Hat’s Best Rock”
98.3FM CBC Radio 1 rebroadcasted from Calgary
CHAT TV – channel 6 and 3 – local TV
Tags: Demographics, Economics, medicine hat, Relocation
