Cypress County

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About

Cypress County, bordering the Province of Saskatchewan, is a dynamic, friendly place to do business with strong growth potential. The area is growing rapidly due to an influx of people from Saskatchewan and beyond. There are business opportunities in the oil and gas and agricultural sectors of the community, and Cypress County has a skilled, highly adaptable labour force. Couple these opportunities with low land values, low utility rates, and some of the lowest property taxes in the province and there is an unbeatable combination of features for economic growth and development.

By providing leadership, fair and equitable governance, Cypress County strives to encourage a rural lifestyle and retain its agricultural character. The County strives to provide municipal services to agriculture, hamlet, industrial, commercial, and residential development, as long as such development contributes positively to the financial and/or social well-being of the municipality.

Housing

Although the region’s hot economy continues to remain strong, the housing market offers many attractive options whether you are looking at building a home, buying a home, or checking out rental accommodations.

A few residential lots are available from time to time. Contact the County office for more information (Tel: 403-526-2888).

The Medicine Hat Real Estate Board can provide contact information for realtors that serve the County for those that require assistance with purchasing or selling a home in the County.

For more information
  • CMHC - A national site that has lots of general information about buying, renting, and renovating homes. You will also find detailed information and links about housing costs, financial assistance programs, legal information and specialized housing issues. Links to various related Government sites also assist with housing related information.
  • MLS Canada - A searchable data base that lists homes for sale. Property searches by community are available.

Community Services

Palliser region communities have many services available for residents to keep them safe and secure.  A diverse range of recreational facilities and places of worship provide families the opportunity to stay active and maintain spiritual well-being.  All Palliser communities have a library or are part of a library system. 

Emergency Services and Fire Protection
Policing

Police services are provided by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP).  The County has also contracted an officer through the RCMP for enhanced services.  This "County Mountie" has duties more specifically related to county issues, such as overweight vehicles on banned roads.

A Community Peace Officer is also actively enforcing bylaws in the County, such as the Dog Control, Unsightly Premises and Noise bylaws.  Assistance to RCMP and local fire departments is also included in the day to day duties.

Fire Protection

Cypress County provides fire protection services to the entire County.  Fire halls are located in the Hamlets of Hilda, Irvine, One Four, Schuler, Seven Persons and Walsh.  In addition, the County also has fire trucks located in CFB Suffield, Cypress Hills Provincial Park Elkwater, the City of Medicine Hat, the Town of Redcliff and Jenner.

Ambulance Services

Ambulance services are administered by the Alberta Health Services.

Parks and Recreation
  • Parks
  • Playgrounds
  • Golf Clubs
  • Arenas
  • Pool
  • Curling Rink
  • Community Hall
  • Rodeo Grounds
  • RV Campground
  • Interprovincial Park - Lakes, swimming, fishing, boating
Religious Services
  • Seven Persons Community Church - 45  1st Avenue, Seven Persons
  • Hilda Baptist Church - 229 Railway Avenue, Hilda
  • Hilda Bethlehem Lutheran Church - 221  2nd Avenue, Hilda
  • Irvine United Church - Irvine
Library

Irvine and Ralston have library services through the Shortgrass Library System

Climate

Sunshine coupled with warm dry summers means more time to spend outdoors and exploring our region.  The low altitude of the region produces a very warm climate, with particular areas often matching or surpassing the “hot spot” of Canada.  Winters have become very mild over the last few years with average temperatures on the rise.

Normal averages for nearby Medicine Hat are:

Average Daily Temperatures:

  • Maximum - High: 27.3C
  • Low: -5.1C
  • Minimum - High: 12.2C
  • Low: -16.4C

Average Precipitation:

  • High: 56.4mm
  • Low: 10.3mm
  • Yearly Average: 322.6mm

Average Snowfall:

  • High: 20.9mm
  • Low: 0.0mm
  • Yearly Average: 108.2mm

Average Rainfall:

  • High: 56.4mm
  • Low: 0.2mm
  • Yearly Average: 230.0mm

Average Sunshine Hours

  • High: 351.3 hrs
  • Low: 86.1 hrs

Wind: Average speed 15 km/h and most frequently out of the southwest.

Taxes

Residential property taxes are definitely a factor to consider when relocating. Although taxes vary depending on the community, Albertans pay low provincial and municipal taxes, overall, in Canada.

Residential/Farmland* 2005 Taxation Year

Municipal

2.9064

Education - Alberta School Foundation Fund Tax Rate

2.3731

Seniors Lodge Accommodation Tax Rate

0.0963

Non-Residential  

Municipal

2.9064

Education - Alberta School Foundation Fund Tax Rate

3.6428

Seniors Lodge Accommodation Tax Rate

0.0963

Mill Rates (2009)
  • Residential – 5.3758
  • Non-Residential – 6.6455
  • Linear – 6.6455
  • Machinery and Equipment – 3.0027
Additional Information

Property tax is either provided as a percentage or as a millage rate. A mill is one-thousandth of a dollar. To calculate the property tax, the assessed value of property is multiplied by the mill rate and then divided by 1,000. For example, property assessed at $100,000 located in a municipality with a mill rate of 20 mills would have a property tax bill of $2,000 per year.

Utilities

Utilities including natural gas, power, and water are necessary expenses to consider for both homeowners and those renting. Communities in southeast Alberta boast some of the lowest rates in the country.

Electrical Power
Natural Gas
Telephone
  • Telus
    Residential Service: 403-310-2255
    Business Service: 403-310-3100

Water Supply & Sewage Disposal 

The County provides treated water to all hamlets and some country residential sub-divisions.  Water co-ops are also a source of water in the County. 

All hamlets, except Dunmore and Walsh have sanitary sewer systems operated by the County.  Dunmore & Walsh rely on septic tanks and septic tile fields for sewage disposal.

Solid Waste Management

Cypress County is a member of the Redcliff Cypress Regional Landfill Authority. The landfill site is located west of Redcliff.  There are a number of transfer sites located throughout the District.  Irvine and Desert Blume are the only hamlets with door to door garbage pick up.

For more information

Health

Under the Canada Health Act, Alberta has a publicly administered and funded health care system that guarantees Albertans receive universal access to medically necessary hospital and health care services.

All eligible Alberta residents are covered under the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) to access healthcare services. An eligible resident of Alberta is a person who is:

  • Legally entitled to be or to remain in Canada and makes his/her permanent home in Alberta;
  • Committed to being physically present in Alberta for at least 183 days in a 12 month period;
  • Not claiming residency or obtaining benefits under a claim of residency in another province, territory or country;
  • Any other person deemed by the regulations to be a resident not including a tourist, transient or visitor to Alberta.

Effective January 1, 2009, Albertans are no longer required to pay AHCIP premiums.

An Alberta Health Care card gives you access to the public health care system including medical checkups and hospital visits. Private clinics exist, but are permitted to perform only elective services not included as part of the primary care available through our health care system.

Alberta Health Services provides a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans.

The Medicine Hat region has acute care, continuing care and community health services, providing quality care for residents of southeastern Alberta. Medicine Hat has excellent health facilities, including the ultra-modern 325 bed Medicine Hat Regional Hospital. This hospital is an acute care facility, which also includes supportive rehab/transition beds. Core programs at the regional facility include surgical services, mental health, critical care, pediatrics, 24-hour emergency, ambulatory care, obstetrics, neonatal intensive care (Level 2), geriatric services, community health, home care, X-Ray and lab. Specialists and facilities in Calgary and Edmonton are also readily accessible by residents of the Palliser Region.

  • Medicine Hat Regional Hospital
    666 5 Street SW
    Medicine Hat, Alberta T1A 4H6
    Tel: 403-529-8000

The care of seniors is handled by the Cypress View Lodge Foundation. It provides a full range of housing for seniors extending from self contained units to full nursing home care. There is also a wide range of private and semi-private seniors care facilities located within the City of Medicine Hat.

Social services in Medicine Hat are provided through the Family and Social Services Department of the Provincial Government, the Social Work Department at the Medicine Hat Regional Hospital and a number of voluntary agencies.

If you wish to obtain more information please call 403-528-5663.

For more information
  • Alberta Health Care Insurance - The Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP) is a publicly administered and funded health care system that guarantees Albertans receive universal access to medically necessary hospital and medical services. AHCIP forms, information on premium and drug assistance, answers to common questions and more are available at this site.
  • Alberta Health and Wellness – Alberta’s Health and Wellness provides information about Alberta’s health care system including the forms needed for registration.
  • Service Alberta – The Health Care Professional section of this Service Alberta site provides information for the wide variety of health professionals in Alberta – doctors, nurses, ambulance operators, and many others who provide services for the maintenance and improvement of health.  Use this page to learn about Alberta Netcare, to look up Health Professionals, to find contact information for nursing homes and hospitals in Alberta, and much, much more.
  • Alberta Health Services – Alberta Health Services provides a patient-focused, quality health system that is accessible and sustainable for all Albertans. Use this site to access information about specific health care facilities and to get the latest news relating to health care.
  • Health Canada – The Health Canada site focuses on providing immigrants with information about health care coverage. It also contains good links to other helpful information on employment, health promotion, and more.

Education

Providing access to education and training opportunities is essential in creating a well-prepared workforce and strong communities. Southeast Alberta’s schools, college, and other education institutions have a lot to offer newcomers in lifelong learning.

Cypress County is part of the Medicine Hat Public School District No. 76 (Tel: 403-528-6729) and the Medicine Hat Catholic Board of Education (Tel: 403-527-2292), which serves the fringe area surrounding Medicine Hat. The remainder of the area is served by the Prairie Rose School Division No. 8, headquartered in Dunmore (Tel: 403-527-5516).

Daycare/Nursery
  • Daycare facilities are available throughout Cypress County.
Public Schools
Separate Schools
Post Secondary Education
  • Medicine Hat College (MHC) has been serving students in southeastern Alberta and beyond since 1965. Situated in Canada’s sunniest city, MHC’s main campus services almost 3,000 students each year with another 200 attending Brooks Campus, located 100 km west of Medicine Hat. With some of the lowest student-to-instructor ratios in the province, MHC offers a very personal, one-on-one student experience. MHC offers a wide variety of programs to meet the ever-changing needs of students from southeastern Alberta and around the world.
  • Athabasca University, Canada’s Open University, is dedicated to the removal of barriers that restrict access to and success in university-level study and to increasing equality of educational opportunity for adult learners worldwide.
For more information
  • ALIS (Alberta Learning Information Service) – This site provides information on education, training, financial assistance, grants, bursaries, transfers, on-line student services, and more.
  • Alberta Education Curriculum - Excellent information and resources for parents of students is provided on this site; it includes information on school choices, summaries of required curriculum, and “homework” help.
  • Alberta Education - Schools - A complete list of schools and school boards is available here.
  • Alberta Children's Services – This site provides information and check-lists to help parents find quality child care; information and links about child care subsidies, adoption, parent support services; and phone numbers for the Kids Help Line, and the Child Care Help Line for Parents.
  • Child Care Subsidy – If you have child care costs for preschool children, you may not be aware that all eligible Albertans may qualify for the Child Care Subsidy Program.  Go to this site to get complete information about the Child Care Subsidy or to try the Estimator.
  • Monthly Living Allowance - Information from the Alberta Student Finance Board is available at this site.
  • National Child Benefit (Low Income Families) - This program provides financial and social support to low-income families.

Community Lifestyle

Community lifestyle is one of the most important factors when considering a move.  Sports, recreation, community involvement, cultural events, hospitality, and safety are just a few of the many reasons why people choose southeast Alberta as an excellent place to live.

The District offers an extensive range of recreation facilities, and tourism is a growing component of the local economy. The District has a Recreation Board and is a part of the Canadian Badlands initiative. Each hamlet also has a Community Association which operates local facilities.

Recreation facilities in the District include
  • Parks
  • Playgrounds
  • Golf Clubs
  • Arenas
  • Pool
  • Curling Rink
  • Community Hall
  • Rodeo Grounds
  • RV Campground
  • Interprovincial Park - Lakes, swimming, fishing, boating
The main parks in Cypress County include

To view more click on: Cypress County’s Tourist Attractions.

Religious Services

All major denominations are represented in the Cypress County.

Major Events
  • Elkwater Rodeo
  • 40 Mile Post Days in Irvine
  • Boxsprings Rodeo
Hospitality & Accommodations

There are numerous restaurants and accommodations available, including Bed and Breakfasts throughout the district. Accommodations in Elkwater include Elkwater Lake Lodge.

Community Organizations
  • Saddle and Spurs 4-H Light Horse Club serving Bindloss, Dunmore, Medicine Hat and Seven Persons.
  • Clearwater Community Association
  • Dunmore Community Association
  • Elkwater Community Association
  • Schuler Community Association
  • Seven Persons Community Association
  • Walsh Community Association
  • Heritage Association of Cypress Hills
  • Elkwater Roping Association
  • Hilda Town and Country Ladies Club
  • 20 Mile Post Historical Society
  • Irvine & District Lions Club
  • Irvine and District Agricultural Society
  • Irvine District Curling Club
  • Cactus County 4-H District Council
  • Suffield Community Recreation Association
  • CFB Suffield Military Family Resource Centre
  • Schuler Community Curling Club
  • Borderline 4-H Multi Club
  • Seven Persons Sewing and Craft Club
  • Seven Persons Community Ladies Club
  • Seven Persons 4-H Beef Club
For more information
  • Service Alberta helps caregivers by providing information on resources available for persons or organizations that care for individuals who need support due to age, or physical or mental illness or disability.
  • Service Alberta has information for parents on topics such as Alberta Centennial Education Savings Plan, Bully Free Alberta, and Passports for Children. There is even a day care look-up at this site.
  • Rural residents can obtain information specific to their needs through Service Alberta. Here, rural residents can look for links to information and publications about the Rural Development Initiative, water wells, the weekly Agri-News, hunting licenses and more.
  • Seniors can find links to the government information and services that apply to seniors, covering topics such as pensions, health care, retirement and more at this site.

Employment

The job market in Southeast Alberta is strong! There are lots of great career opportunities in many different industries from trades to healthcare to manufacturing and many, many more. There is demand for all levels of positions, from entry-level to senior positions.

Check them out at www.findingwork.ca

Community Profile

There are employment opportunities throughout the County.

For more information
  • Alberta Government Learning Information Services - Alberta's leading on-line source for career, learning and employment information and services. Here you'll find the resources you need to make the most of your future.
  • Alberta Occupational Profiles - Information about a variety of career occupations, and advice about how to develop careers in Alberta, including information about current job markets is available at this site. There is a searchable database that makes it easy to research career options by interest, professional title, or industry.
  • Alberta Wage & Salary data - The Alberta Wage and Salary Survey covers over 400 occupations and provides information on wages and salaries for full-time and part-time employees in Alberta by occupation, geographic area, and industry group.
  • Alberta Works - Alberta Works focuses on training people for employment.
  • Service Alberta’s Job Seekers provides information for those looking for employment. Here, you will find the Alberta Work Search Online, the Federal Job Bank, and even a free e-Résumé Review Service.
  • The Government of Canada has bilingual information about Citizenship and Immigration Canada, Service Canada, Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, and Foreign Credentials Referral Office.
  • The Government of Alberta provides information on immigration process for Canada and Alberta, as well as about programs and services designed to help immigrants before and after they arrive.
  • Canadian Information Centre for Immigrants - A bilingual site that provides a thorough overview of information about credentials, education, qualification, and employment in Canada. It is well organized and easy to navigate.
  • Job Bank Canada - Job Bank is the largest web-based network of job postings available to Canadians.

Business Directory

There are a variety of businesses in Cypress County:

  • Wedding Star
  • Bice & Sons Drywall
  • Lawrence Meier Trucking
  • Cypress County
  • Gas City Truck Metals
  • Sterling Trailer Sales
  • Harley Davidson of Medicine Hat
  • Huber Farms
  • Prairie Rose School Division No. 8
  • Desert Blume Golf Course
  • Ronco Trucking
  • D&D Oilfield Services
  • R&S Resources
  • Trail Blazer Drilling Corp.
  • Iron Horse Energy Services
  • Co-op Gas Station Dunmore
  • Redneck Automotive
  • Premium Sausage
  • JMT Oilfield Hauling
  • Eagles Nest Ranch
  • Redcliff Stake and Lath
  • Cypress Stake and Lath
  • BP Canada Energy Co.
  • Petro Canada
  • Cantool Industries Corp.
  • Terroco Oilfield Services
  • Trail Side Cafe & General Store
  • Forty Mile Gas Co-op
  • AltaGas
  • Walsh Shell

More Info

www.cypress.ab.ca

Driving Maps
Additional Community Information
Government of Alberta Services
  • Service Alberta provides information on vehicle licensing, employment, property and more.
  • Moving to or Around Alberta includes information on health care services, electrical rates, population, housing support services, immigration and more.
Print Media
Other
  • Cypress County Family and Community Support Services - The Cypress County FCSS promotes, encourages and supports volunteer work in the community. This includes recruitment, training and placement services, resources to support volunteers and the coordination of volunteer services.
PALLISER ECONOMIC PARTNERSHIP BOX 1046, 109 - 346 THIRD ST. SE MEDICINE HAT, AB, CANADA T1A 0G7
TOLL FREE 1-877-226-7552 TEL 403-526-7552 EMAIL