MLA Report: Celebrating the heart of Medicine Hat: Why community spirit matters

By Justin Wright on October 15, 2025.

Every two years, our community pauses to do something profoundly important: we celebrate the people who make Medicine Hat extraordinary. While the Community Spirit Awards are a municipal initiative organized by the City of Medicine Hat, I want to take a moment as your provincial representative to highlight why this recognition matters so deeply to our community’s fabric and future.

Since 1979, these awards have honoured more than 130 individuals and organizations who embody what it means to be a Hatter. As I witness this biennial celebration from my provincial role, I’m consistently moved by the dedication of our citizens and proud to represent a community with such strong values.

What makes the Community Spirit Awards so meaningful is their recognition of the diverse ways people contribute. Consider this year’s recipients: individuals working with cycling programs for seniors, skateboard associations engaging youth, environmental educators changing how we think about conservation, and volunteers supporting those facing hardship. Each operates in a different sphere, yet each strengthens the same fabric that holds us together.

This diversity of service is crucial. Not everyone can commit to the same causes or volunteer in the same ways. Some have an evening free each week; others offer professional expertise. Some work behind the scenes; others lead publicly. The beauty of community service is that there’s a place for everyone, and every contribution ripples outward in ways we can’t always measure.

Some might wonder why a provincial representative would celebrate a municipal award program. The answer is simple: strong communities build a strong province. When Medicine Hat’s city council takes the time to honour local volunteers, they’re not just recognizing individuals – they’re reinforcing the values that make Alberta communities resilient, connected and thriving.

In my role at the Legislature, I see countless programs and policies aimed at supporting communities. But no government initiative, whether municipal or provincial, can replace the power of neighbours helping neighbours. These awards celebrate the truth that real community strength comes from the ground up, from individuals who choose service over apathy, connection over isolation.

Public recognition inspires others. When we celebrate a neighbour who has dedicated years to supporting youth programs, we’re showing young people what citizenship looks like. When we recognize environmental champions, we’re validating that work and encouraging others to join. The city’s commitment to these awards creates a culture where service is valued and helping is simply what we do.

Every Alberta community has volunteers, but Medicine Hat has something special-a density of people who genuinely care about making this place better. This isn’t accidental. It’s cultivated through generations of people who chose to stay, to invest, to build. It’s nurtured by municipal initiatives like the Community Spirit Awards. And it’s sustained by creating pathways for new volunteers to discover where their passions and community needs intersect.

The organizations represented in these awards exist because people saw a need and decided to act. They didn’t wait for government to solve the problem. They became the solution. This is the Alberta spirit at its finest, and I’m honoured to represent a community that exemplifies it so well.

As your MLA, I have the privilege of representing Medicine Hat’s interests at the provincial level. But I’m constantly reminded that the most important work happens right here at home, often far from any legislature or council chamber. It happens in community centres and skating rinks, at river cleanups and food drives, in mentorship sessions and support groups.

I know this firsthand because I continue to be active in our community. Whether I’m coaching hockey, my past time with Spectrum and two festivals, or working with various groups over the years, I’ve experienced the profound satisfaction that comes from giving back. These volunteer experiences keep me grounded and connected to what matters most to the people I represent.

Every award recipient was once someone who simply decided to get involved. They didn’t have special credentials or superhuman abilities. They just cared, showed up, and kept showing up. That’s the real lesson: extraordinary community impact comes from ordinary people making consistent, caring choices.

The City of Medicine Hat’s commitment to recognizing this work reflects leadership that understands what really matters. I commend city council and the Community Vibrancy Board for their dedication to this program, and I encourage all residents to consider how they might contribute to our community’s future.

Here’s to the 2025 recipients, to the 130-plus honourees who came before them, and to the countless volunteers whose work will never be formally recognized but is no less vital. You are the heart of Medicine Hat, and you make me proud to represent this community in the Alberta Legislature.

The Community Spirit Awards ceremony took place on October 8, 2025, at the Esplanade Arts & Heritage Centre.

Justin Wright is the MLA for Cypress-Medicine Hat

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