Weekly Update: November 20-26, 2020

Strong restrictions to slow the spread of COVID-19

On November 24th, Alberta’s government declared a state of public health emergency and put aggressive measures in place to protect the health system and reduce the rising spread of COVID-19 cases, including a limit of 10 to outdoor social gatherings and no indoor social gatherings permitted. It is important that every Albertan become aware of these new measures. Not following mandatory restrictions could result in fines of $1,000 per ticketed offence and up to $100,000 through the courts.

City Suspends Group Activities as well as Esplanade Theatre and Veiner Centre Operations 

In accordance with enhanced public health measures outlined by the Government of Alberta, the City of Medicine Hat will be suspending all group activities currently taking place at the Family Leisure Centre, Kinplex Arena, Hockey Hounds Recreation Centre and Co-op Place, effective Friday, November 27, 2020. The FLC will remain open to the public and will offer the following public programs:

• Kinsmen Aquatic Park – pre-registration is required – public swim, lane swim, self-led water fitness and one-on-one lessons
• Cenovus Arena – pre-registration is required - public skating and adult skating only
• Fieldhouse – pre-registration is required - driving range
• South Country Co-op Fitness Area – open at 25% capacity
• Gymnasium – pre-registration is required - self-led activities
  o Basketball – one person per hoop
  o Floor Hockey – one person per net

Additional times for adult and public skating will be available at the Kinplex Arena. Pre-registration is required. More information is available on the City website.

Performances and shows scheduled between Friday, November 27 and Tuesday, December 15 at the Esplanade Theatre have been postponed or cancelled, following guidance from the Province. Ticket holders will be notified of these changes and refunds will be offered.

The Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre, including guest services, the Museum, the Art Gallery and Archives, remain open to the public during regular business hours.

The Veiner Centre is also closed to the public and all group activities have been discontinued. Staff are available via phone at 403.529.8307 for members who may have questions regarding the closure.

Numerous outdoor amenities will remain open to the public, including all parks, trails, toboggan hills and dog parks. Signs will be posted, reminding the public that outdoor social gatherings are limited to 10 people. Updated information on Parks & Recreation Usage is available on the City website. The Parks and Recreation Department is also looking for volunteers for the Adopt-a-Rink program. Currently there are vacancies at River heights Park, Southlands, Leinweber Park and Southridge Park, but applications for all outdoor rinks are currently being accepted. Volunteers assist in making these spaces operational and give residents an economical option for fun recreational winter activities. Find out more or apply online.

MHTnow Expanding Service to River Flats, South Hill

Medicine Hat Transit’s on-demand service, MHTnow, is expanding service to include the River Flats and South Hill neighbourhoods.The expansion of the pilot project launches on Monday, November 30 and will operate weekday evenings from 6:45 pm to 10:45 pm, replacing the current routes. Riders of route 20 and 22 are encouraged to download the MHTnow app, available on the App Store and Google Play.

Kipling and Spencer Street Corridor Rehabilitation Concludes 2020 Construction Phase

Construction is now complete on the 2020 phases of the Kipling and Spencer Street Corridor Rehabilitation project. The road between Kingsway Avenue SE and College Avenue SE, including the 3rd Avenue SE hill, is now open to traffic.

Alberta to launch rapid testing for COVID-19

Alberta will soon begin piloting point-of-care rapid testing for COVID-19. Alberta’s health officials will use these pilots to determine how to streamline processes related to patient management, results notifications and digital record keeping before the tests are deployed widely across the province. Read more.

Provincial Fiscal Update

The provincial government is projecting a $21.3-billion deficit for 2020-21. Expenses not including COVID-19 measures have decreased $156 million from Budget 2020. Total expense is forecast at $62.7 billion, up $135 million from last quarter and $5.4 billion from Budget 2020. Alberta’s real GDP is expected to contract 8.1 per cent rather than the 8.8 per cent reported in August. Real GDP is expected to fully recover to 2014 levels in 2023. Read the news release here.

Protecting roadside workers

This winter, snowplow operators on Alberta’s highways will be allowed to use flashing white strobe lights to increase their visibility. New signage installed along Alberta highways will remind Albertans to drive to conditions and be cautious near roadside workers. Read the news release.

Call for Proposals for the Community Support, Multiculturalism, and Anti-Racism Initiatives Program

The Government of Canada launched a new call for proposals for the Community Support, Multiculturalism, and Anti-Racism Initiatives (CSMARI) Program. The call for proposals for the Projects and the Community Capacity Building components is open until January 12, 2021. Events component proposals are accepted on a continuous basis. For details on how to apply, visit https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/services/funding/community-multiculturalism-anti-racism.html.

Canada helps protect the Municipal District of Taber from flooding

The Federal Government announced funding for Phase 2 and Phase 3 of the Horsefly Regional Emergency Spillway. The federal government’s investment of more than $9.8 million in this project through the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund will help protect more than 60,000 Albertans in the Municipal District of Taber from the impacts of floods.

More support to advance reform of services for Indigenous children and families

The Prime Minister announced over $542 million in funding to advance First Nations, Inuit, and Métis engagement to co-develop the implementation of the Act, and to assist Indigenous communities and groups in building the capacity to establish their own child and family services systems. Read more.

Government of Canada Supports Initiatives to Prevent and Address Family Violence

The Federal Government announced more than $3.4 million to support three initiatives aimed at preventing family violence and supporting survivors, including the Child Development Institute, the Canadian Association of Midwives and the University of Western Ontario. Read more.

Removing Legal Tender Status from Bank Notes

Effective January 1, 2021, the Government of Canada will remove legal tender status from some older bank notes that are no longer produced - the $1, $2, $25, $500 and $1,000 notes. Here's what you need to know.