Weekly Update: December 4-10, 2020

Government of Canada temporary childcare support

The Government of Canada is proposing new temporary support of up to $1,200 per child under the age of six to further assist families with young children. This support will help families cover the costs of tools for at-home learning, help families provide the necessary care for their children, and for many, help with the higher costs associated with temporary child care arrangements.

Alberta removes licence plate stickers

Due to advances in technology, starting Jan. 1, Albertans will no longer require expiry stickers on their licence plates as the province moves toward adopting reflective plates. Alberta drivers and vehicle owners will still be responsible for renewing their registration on time, and will still require a valid certificate of vehicle registration. Albertans can sign up to receive an electronic renewal notice through a registry agent, the Alberta Motor Association, or MyAlberta eServices. Read more.

Safety Notice - Water World Tubs

The City of Medicine Hat issued a safety warning to residents who have received services provided by Water World 2062939 ALBERTA LTD., also known as “Water World Tubs.” Hot tubs, spas or swimming pools that were incorrectly installed or serviced may present an unsafe condition, posing a safety risk to persons or property. Anyone who has received hot tub, spa or swimming pool services from Water World 2062939 ALBERTA LTD., (“Water World Tubs”), or who otherwise has concerns about the safety of their hot tub, spa or swimming pool, should immediately discontinue use and contact the city’s Safety Codes Services by phone at 403.529.8374 or email at pbe@medicinehat.ca. Callers are required to provide their name, address, phone number and relevant service dates.

New Mandatory Provincewide Measures

Due to Alberta’s high case numbers, aggressive action and mandatory restrictions apply provincewide and will be in place at least until January 12, 2021. Effective Dec. 8, all indoor and outdoor social gatherings have been prohibited, close contacts are limited to household members only and masks are now mandatory province-wide in all indoor public spaces and workplaces. This will be enforced with $1,000 fines. Read more.

In accordance with the additional province-wide restrictions announced by the Government of Alberta, the City of Medicine Hat will close all entertainment, cultural and recreational facilities effective Sunday, December 13, 2020. These mandatory restrictions include art galleries, museums, gyms, studios, fitness and recreation centres, as well as indoor rinks and arenas. City Hall will remain open to the public at a reduced customer capacity of 15%. The following facilities will close to the public by the end of day Saturday, December 12, 2020:

• Family Leisure Centre
• Co-op Place
• Kinplex Arena
• Hockey Hounds Arena
• Nature Centre at Police Point Park
• Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre – temporary closure effective Friday, December 11 at 5 pm

Numerous outdoor amenities will remain open to the public, including all parks, trails, toboggan hills, Saamis Tepee and dog parks. For a full list of open recreational amenities, visit the City website. Online cultural experiences are available online here. Read more.

Fighting COVID-19 and Strengthening Health Care

The Government of Canada will cover 100% of the cost of procuring vaccines for all Canadians, and the supplies needed to administer them. In addition, the Prime Minister proposed the following health care areas in which to begin work, supported by new federal investments: improving long-term care and health care delivery for people across the country, increasing mental health services, coordinating on digital platforms and information sharing between jurisdictions, and making progress on a national, universal pharmacare program while lowering the cost of drugs.

First COVID-19 immunizations to start next week

The first 3,900 doses of Pfizer vaccine will arrive in Alberta during the week of Dec. 14. Since the initial shipments of the vaccines must be administered on-site at dedicated vaccine sites, and cannot be transported to long-term care or other facilities, the first immunizations will focus on health-care workers crucial to supporting vulnerable Albertans and caring for critically ill patients. Read more.

AHS Continues to Hire Contact Tracing Staff

AHS has continued to enhance contact tracing teams to meet demand. They now have more than 800 contact tracers in Alberta and are on track to double it once more, bringing the province closer to 1,600 contact tracers by the end of 2020. Anyone who is interested in becoming a contact tracer is encouraged to visit ahs.ca/careers and apply for an open position.

Supporting world-class COVID research in Alberta

The University of Alberta will receive $20 million in funding over four years to accelerate leading-edge research and commercialization of pharmaceutical and vaccine treatments and build on Alberta’s successes. Read more.

Canada to receive early delivery of Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine

The Government of Canada announced that Canada will receive up to 249,000 doses of the Pfizer-BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine in December 2020, contingent on Health Canada authorization of the vaccine.

2021 City Budget Update Aims to Address $23M Gap

The City of Medicine Hat 2021 Budget Update presented on December 7th reflects the City’s enhanced Accelerated Financially Fit Initiative, which aims to address a $23M gap created by the loss of oil and gas dividend revenues from City-owned assets. Unlike other levels of government, municipalities are unable to plan deficit budgets. To achieve a balanced budget, the City must ensure expenses do not exceed funding. The original 2019-2022 Budget approved in December 2018 was based on the assumption of an annual property tax increase of 4%. The 2021 Budget Update was adjusted to include a 0% property tax increase for both 2020 and 2021 to support the community through financial hardships created by COVID-19 and other recessionary factors. This decision and the related reduction of $7.3M in tax revenues added further pressure to the City’s operating budget.

Summary of 2021 Budget Update

• 0% property tax increase in 2020 and 2021.
• Significant net cost reduction of $14.8M (11%) with a thoughtful, measured approach.
• Reduced reliance on financial reserve of $1.2M from the initial 2019-2022 budget. The City will need to find further solutions to eliminate continued reliance on financial reserves in the future.
• Service enhancements in some areas, with minimal adverse adjustments to service in some others.

Staffing Impacts

• As two-thirds of the City’s budget is related to staffing, cost reductions are needed in this area to achieve budget targets and much of this will be reached through voluntary reduction or attrition. Additional analysis is underway to find further efficiencies across the organization.
• Bargaining units and all non-union staff are budgeted to receive a 0% increase for 2020 and 2021
• Included in the 2021 Budget Update is a divisional realignment, which will result in excess of $250,000 in direct cost savings. The realignment also consolidates like functions to reduce overlap, and offers improved business case planning and analysis to ensure more efficient planning and execution of projects.

Potential Service Level Adjustments and Facility Closures

• COVID closures and required capital investments have forced careful consideration of the future of some aging recreational facilities, including Crestwood Rec Centre, Moose Rec Centre and Heights Pool. Future investment in community amenities will be based on community needs and operatingefficiencies through such solutions as consolidated, multi-purpose facilities.
• The City continues to pursue cost reduction strategies that minimize adverse impacts on services and subsequently residents. An initiative like MHTnow – transit on demand, actually reduced costs while enhancing service to many users. Leveraging technology and digital innovation in order to serve and connect with residents will continue.

While the 2021 Budget Update signals significant progress toward financial sustainability, City officials are quick to point out that more work needs to be done. Read more.