COMMITTED TO THE COMMUNITY
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Long time professional communicator and business owner
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Pattison Media (CHAT/MY 96)
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The Cheesecake Cafe
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Dedicated volunteer
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Great Cycle Challenge
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25 years Medicine Hat Judo Club
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Served as VP Finance Judo Alberta
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Cycling Without Age
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Medicine Hat Food Drive
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Issues and Political Concerns
Multi Path Trails
We've made great strides toward building a connected community, and now is not the time to slow down; we need more public education and input. I've experienced bike paths in other cities and utilized their multi-path trail systems extensively, including riding nearly every trail in Medicine Hat multiple times. Thanks to technology, accessing this trail system has become easier and more affordable than ever attracting a diverse range of users. On any given day, you can see people of all ages walking, biking, scootering, skateboarding, and using e-bikes and tri-bikes. Our path system offers a fantastic way to explore our city while promoting a healthy lifestyle. Once I join the council, I will advocate for by-law regulations defining the types of units permitted on the trails. Additionally, I will promote an education campaign called "Share The Trail," which will include the rules of the road. My long-term vision includes implementing dividing lines on all paved trails for clear traffic direction and installing yield or stop signs where necessary, ensuring safer connectivity for all modes of transportation.
Poverty and Homelessness
These are escalating issues in all parts of Canada and it affects everyone in our community. The economy has made it difficult for us to earn enough to match the cost of living, leading to increased daily challenges for individuals from all walks of life. MH Community Housing is an essential service for our city and working closely with their team would be on my action list, to explore the issues at hand and to actively find solutions. I had the opportunity to discuss homelessness and more with Jaime Rogers one on one and I believe we couldn't find a better person to help solve this issue. She needs help. I would make it my mission to ensure her team has the tools they need to tackle this issue. My conversation with Jaime Rogers was incredibly enlightening. To listen click on The Public Matters icon.
City Owned Utilities
Some believe we should exit the energy sector, but I advocate for maintaining and even expanding our resources when the right opportunity arises. As our oil and gas reserves diminish, it's essential to explore alternatives that will secure ongoing revenue for the city. While solar, wind, hydrogen, and small modular reactors are advancing, we need to accelerate this progress to maintain our edge. My top priority is to make informed decisions that benefit everyone, especially regarding finances, and to ensure we leverage our available resources rather than relying on a single volatile source.
BETTER CIVIC GOVERNMENT
Every Hatter wants a functional council representing the best interests of all citizens. My career in broadcasting and the not-for-profit sector saw me dealing with many individuals of differing backgrounds, temperament and training. Team work was at the core of everything we did. There was no success that was accomplished alone. Leadership and people have been central to my career and I continued to pursue formal and informal skill development in this arena through my extensive career.
I will bring this balance of thoughtful, informed communication to City Hall.
Terry Reith: CBC Edmonton
I’ve known Jay Hitchen for decades, going back to when we worked side by side in radio in Edmonton. we spent more than a few evenings in his basement watching Star Trek marathons. That’s who Jay is: curious, thoughtful, and always looking at the bigger picture. Over the years I’ve seen him handle challenges with honesty and grit, never shying away from tough conversations. Jay is a good man, a straight talker who values people and community. He listens first, then acts — something rare in politics but essential in leadership. What I admire most is that Jay hasn’t changed. He’s still the same grounded, approachable guy I’ve called a friend all these years. I have no doubt he will bring that same integrity, energy, and sense of responsibility to City Hall. Medicine Hat would be lucky to have him represent them.
Jerry Bellikka; Chief of Staff to Minister of Transportation and Economic Corridors GOA
A strong leader in broadcasting at CHAT, a business owner and longtime community volunteer in Medicine Hat. A common sense thinker who would be an outstanding representative for the people of Medicine Hat. Go Jay Go!
Ben Rance; President B&V Oil and Gas
Have known Jay and Bev for many years and it would be hard to find someone who has gave back in so many ways to the community. Hard working family and someone I would vote for. I moved to Edmonton a few years ago for health reasons but I know Jay would be a great person for the job on city council.
Shaina Hall Elwood former on air Pattison Medicine Hat
I’ve known Jay for over 25 years. He has the patience of a saint and a measured, even, temperament. He was the boss of big personalities that were all in our early 20’s and we couldn’t have asked for a better one. It would be hard to find someone more involved in the community. He would be amazing on city council.
Colin Lovequist: CKRM Regina
If ever there was a perfect choice for a city councillor this is it. Jay isn't just a great human, he's a great leader. I just wish I could vote! He truly WILL lead you into a better tomorrow Medicine Hat.
Media Coverage/Forums/Interviews
Election Forum
Corb Lund at our Flood Relief Concert
Former Broadcaster vies for a seat on city council
SEPTEMBER 18, 2021
Jay Hitchen: Longtime broadcaster, restaurateur wants to show off Medicine Hat.
BY MEDICINE HAT NEWS ON SEPTEMBER 18, 2021.
Former broadcaster wants to show Medicine Hat off to the world as member of city council.
Jay Hitchen wants a chance to show the world how wonderful Medicine Hat is as a new member of city council.
Hitchen began his broadcasting career in 1979 in a small town in southeastern Saskatchewan. After working his way up and with several other moves, Hitchen, along with his wife and two sons, moved to Medicine Hat in 1990 where he joined the management team at what was 1270 CHAT. Hitchen was very involved with the community and many different events.
“We did a lot of wonderful things in radio, especially in Medicine Hat,” said Hitchen.
After completing his broadcast career, Hitchen and a friend took over the Cheesecake Cafe in 2014. They ran it for about six years before Hitchen retired in the spring of 2020.
Hitchen says Medicine Hat has the reputation of being a “forgotten corner” and hopes to change that. He wants to help grow the population and retain young people who generally leave the city.
“I think there’s an opportunity now where more people are working from home. They’re looking for these beautiful little settings, like we have here, where they can set up shop.”
Hitchen says it’s time to make things happen, but knows that solutions to problems won’t be easy.
“It’s going to be important for the next council to focus on priorities and actually try and get something done,” Hitchen said. “That’s going to be a difficult process.”
Hitchen believes that his experiences within the community make him an ideal candidate.
“I’ve been in Medicine Hat for a long time, and I’ve worked with the city through my job in communications. That gave me real insight into how things work,” said Hitchen. “Communication is obviously where my biggest strength lies, I believe that my background gives me a unique position. Plus, I’ve been responsible for dealing with large budgets and a large staff.”
“I’ve been in this community for so long and been a part of so many things,” Hitchen said. “I really think that it’s time for me to quit relying on other people to make it the great community it is and actually chip in and help out.”
Jay Hitchen - Medicine Hat Municipal Candidate Interviews
Hitchen a rider: Local man has a big goal for
The Great Cycle Challenge
Jul 30, 2021 | 4:24 PM
FEBRUARY 11, 2023
MEDICINE HAT, AB – Twenty-nine. Thirty-one. Eight hundred.
For Jay Hitchen that’s 29 kilometres he needs to cycle each of the 31 days in August to reach 800 kilometres for the Great Cycle Challenge.
“Every day, rain or shine,” he says.
While 29 kilometres a day for 31 days could be a daunting challenge, Hitchen says it’s easy for him to find the motivation to take on the Great Cycle Challenge. Since 2016 its raised money for the SickKids Foundation to help fight childhood cancer.
“When I have sponsors and I hear about how they lost a son or a child or how they’re currently battling cancer themselves, it helps me focus on how lucky and blessed that I am that I can actually hop on a bike and I can ride around and try and help them. So I think about them as I go.”
Hitchen is taking part for the fourth year. He got involved after two bouts of cancer himself and losing a close friend to the disease. He said he felt left with a void and questioned what he could do to help.
A friend suggested the Great Cycle Challenge.
“And it just gave me something to focus on, something that I could do,” Hitchen says. “So when you feel helpless, this actually gave you that outlet to say maybe I can make a little bit of difference.”
More than $21 million has been raised since 2016 and close to 115,000 cyclists have participated.
It’s free to register, and cyclists simply set a target to pedal in August and track their kilometres, and fundraise however they choose, setting their own target there as well.
“Whatever goal you want 10 kilometres, 1,000 kilometres, up to you,” says Hitchen. “Same thing with dollars, $10, 1,000, $10,000. Whatever you feel that you can raise to fight childhood cancer.”
Hitchen says the Great Cycle Challenge comes down to two simple things.
“If you love kids and hate cancer this is a great thing for you.”
You can find Hitchen’s personal fundraising page here. So far he’s raised almost $2,400 of his $3,000 goal.
by Chris Brown
Jay Hitchen recognized for Community Inclusion
OCTOBER 20TH, 2013
Sensei and President of The Medicine Hat Judo Club was honoured to receive this special award on behalf of the Medicine Hat Judo Club's outstanding efforts. Designing a program that has accommodated many skill levels and even some disabilities over the years.
Premier stands behind boycott of BC wine
FEBRUARY 07, 2018
MEDICINE HAT, AB — The boycott over B.C. wines is being felt in the Gas City.
Premier Rachel Notley made the announcement on Tuesday, as the tensions over the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain pipeline continue to escalate.
“Albertans didn’t want or invite this fight,” she said. “This is one good step to waking BC up to the fact that they can’t attack our industry without a response from us.”
“It’s sheer lunacy and I’m hoping that that’s what the premier going for because also banning a pipeline in B.C. is lunacy,” said Cheesecake Cafe owner Jay Hitchen.
The ban has already been put in place.
The Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission will not import in any wines from the west.
It comes with an estimated $70 million blow to B.C. wineries.
Stores and restaurants will continue to pour the products and the Alberta warehouses will continue to ship the remaining stock they have. The AGLC estimates the 160,000 cases they have in stock will last about a month.
“It’s not a huge part of our wine selection,” Hitchen said. “It’s about 10 per cent of what we offer here.”
Hitchen said he knows the impact it could have on other restaurants and liquor stores moving forwards.
“It’s a ripple, it won’t be really anything that we can’t get around,” he added. “There’s lot of wine in the big wide world that we live in so there’s lots of competition. We like B.C. wines, we love catering to our neighbours, just like I’m sure they like beer from Alberta.”
That’s a message Notley herself is selling to Albertans.
“Next time you’re thinking about ordering a glass of wine, think of our energy workers, think of your neighbours, think of our community, think about our province and maybe choose some terrific Alberta craft beer instead,” she said.
It’s a message Hitchen said just might work.
“Beer drinkers now are just as snobby as wine drinkers,” he said. “You’ve got guys with their beer apps and they’re sampling different ones, lights, darks, lagers, pilsners. I mean, it’s becoming a whole culture into itself.”
by Ashley Wiebe
