business and industry
Regionalization may return to the spotlight
By ALEX MCCUAIG
But managing more than 20,000 hectares of land which encompasses areas around Medicine Hat, Redcliff and Cypress County is what the Tri-Area Intermunicipal Development Plan (IDP) is all about.
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It may be one of the more mundane documents of municipal legislation but it touches on hot-button topics of development, transportation corridors and, most recently, water allocation.
The current working land-use concept map outlines the potential realignment of the Trans-Canada Highway south of Redcliff, Medicine Hat and Dunmore to identifying
aving a rural municipality, town and city all sharing borders with each other can often require a delicate balance between competing interests for each jurisdiction.
commercial, industrial and residential expansion expected in the next 50 years.
Cypress County planner Jeffrey Dowling said the 80-page document which came into effect in 2010 might not be a page-turner but is critical for area municipalities to outline future development.
“Anything that is on the fringe of the city of Medicine Hat or town of Redcliff on the edge of their boundaries, they’ll circulate their proposals to us for our comments,” said Dowling.
“For that reason, it just strengthens communications between municipalities to inform each other about what’s going on that could potentially have an impact.”
That sort of communication allows municipalities the predictability for future planning.
“From that point of view, we’ve done very well in
accomplishing and meeting the requirements set out in the plan,” said Dowling.
The IDP was an evolution from the previous urban fringe legislation which allowed for input from neighbouring municipalities, he said, but a push for regionalization of services saw the development the current document.
That regionalization would have been focused on services around potable and waste water services.
However, the regionalization portion was hived off the final document.
Medicine Hat City Councillor Les Pearson said it may be time to look at regionalization again, whether it be for providing sewer utilities to Dunmore or police services to Desert Blume.
Pearson said the IDP worked well in dealing with securing riparian setbacks to a gravel pit licence along Bullshead Creek between the city and Dunmore.
“But my personal perspective is that it is time for a review,” said Pearson.
He said it may be time for the city to take a look at providing increased utility services to proposed residential and industrial developments as well as to already existing hamlets and villages.
“It’s time for us to look at (regionalization) again, especially in light of the services the city provides and the cost to the city,” said Pearson. ■
The mission of the association is to assist in the integration,
adjustment and resettlement of immigrants, and refugees in the community of Medicine Hat, providing a support system that
fosters individual needs in an environment of equality and dignity. Saamis Immigration has been serving New Canadians in Medicine
Hat for the last 26 years. Visit: Stop by: A few of our
SETTLEMENT SERVICES When immigrants first arrive in Medicine Hat they are met by the association staff member and a volunteer inter- preter if needed. The Association assists new arrivals
in the following
areas: Reception: Greeting and provision of food and lodg- ing. Settlement & Orientation: Housing, shopping, bank- ing, utilities, health care, etc. Supportive Counseling & Referral: Community con- tact and access to other services; ongoing individual support Employment Services: Pre-employment & career counseling, information and referrals, volunteer job place- ment. Public Awareness & Community Education: Commu- nity development.
REFUGEES RECEPTION HOUSE was opened at the beginning of 2003 to provide temporary accommodation to newly arrived refugees in Medicine Hat. The house can accommodate up to 16 people at a time.
ENGLISH AS A SECOND LANGUAGE CLASSES are offered on a full-time and part-time basis. These classes are held onsite and are free of charge. Subsidies for child care are available for the full-time program. Admittance into the program requires clients to complete a Canadian Language Benchmarks Assessment (CLBA) to deter- mine what level of English they are at.
41139357•03/25/14 34 2014 REPORT ON SOUTHEAST ALBERTA
SETTLEMENT WORKERS IN SCHOOLS (S.W.I.S) is a program which helps new Canadians navigate an unfa- miliar school system. Understanding school policy and procedure, School registration and orientation, transpor- tation scheduling, communicating with educators, and accessing school and community resources are a few ways the SWIS program help to elevate stress newcom- ers feel.
COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS PROGRAM is a volun- teer based program in which newcomers to Canada are matched with Canadian volunteers, who help them to learn about Canadian values and traditions, practice speaking English and learn about community resources and how to use them.
Many Newcomers to Canada come from countries where the climate, economy, political and social conditions are very different from those of Canada It takes time and support to learn a new way of life. Help of a volunteer can make a big difference.
VOLUNTEER OPPORTUNITIES
Our services depend on community involvement and volunteers. We are always on the lookout for Language interpreters who are fluent in English and at least one other language; Tutors; Community Ambassadors; Men- tors; Classroom and special events helpers or volunteers interested in serving on our Board.
www.saamisimmigration.ca
659 3rd Street SE Medicine Hat, Alberta T1A 0H4
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