Lethbridge Minute: Downtown Grants, Scooters Return, and a YQL Neighbourhoods Presentation

Lethbridge Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Lethbridge politics

This Week In Lethbridge:

• There will be a City Council Meeting on Tuesday at 12:30 pm. Council will receive a report from the Alberta Municipalities’ President’s Summit on Civility and the Spring Municipal Leaders’ Caucus. Several confidential reports will also be discussed - including a Labour Negotiations Update, a Boards, Commissions and Committee Update, Appointments to Lethbridge Downtown Business Revitalization Zone Board of Directors, and an Advocacy Plans Update. Council will also look at approving one-time funding of $10,000 for 2025 to the Southern Alberta Crime Stoppers.
  
  
• On Thursday, at 1:30 pm, the Safety and Social Standing Policy Committee will meet. The Committee will receive a presentation from YQL Neighbourhoods entitled “The Power of Neighbourhood Connections and the Role of Neighbourhood Associations”. YQL Neighbourhoods is requesting that local leaders support stronger community ties by encouraging residents to get involved with their neighbourhood associations, adopting policies that foster community connection, and exploring a partnership with the League of YQL Neighbourhoods to advance these efforts.
  
  
• The City of Lethbridge has partnered with Bird Canada for the second year to offer rental bikes and scooters, which can be picked up and dropped off at various locations around the city. This season, the service has launched earlier than last year, following the success the 2024 season, where Lethbridge ranked in the top 10 for rides per day. The expanded fleet includes more bikes and scooters, each with its own helmet, and frequent riders can receive a free helmet through the app. The service operates via the Bird Ride Electric app, with users paying an unlock fee and a per-minute rate.

Last Week In Lethbridge:

• The City of Lethbridge has announced the recipients of the 2025 Re-Imagine Downtown Activation Grants, with a total of $120,000 in funding. Out of 17 applications, 16 projects will receive full or partial funding. Notable projects include Foodie Fest, a week-long event with food trucks and downtown restaurant samples; Voices of the Tipi Circles, which hosts monthly gatherings with traditional drumming and teachings; and Pride Fest, a family-friendly event with southern Albertan entertainers. Other funded events include Afro Fest, celebrating African culture, Mosaic Music Festival, showcasing cultural sounds, and Arts Days, which includes live music and art installations. The grants also support activities like walking tours by the Lethbridge Historical Society and Shakespeare performances by the Lethbridge Shakespeare Performance Society.
  
  
• The Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce hosted a packed all-candidates forum at the Yates Memorial Centre, where all six federal election candidates for the Lethbridge riding discussed their priorities. One major topic was how to protect Lethbridge from US tariffs. Conservative candidate Rachel Thomas advocated for reduced trade barriers between provinces, while Liberal Chris Spearman emphasized the need to support agriculture. The NDP's Nathan Svoboda proposed an "elbows up" strategy to deal with tariffs, while the PPC's Clara Piedalue argued against retaliatory tariffs. A second forum is scheduled for April 16th.
  
  
• As spring arrives, rattlesnakes and bull snakes have emerged in Lethbridge's coulees but are staying close to their dens for a few weeks. Although their mobility is limited, these snakes are more dangerous at this time as their venom is actually more potent the longer it’s been unused. Safety measures include sticking to established paths and avoiding tall grass, as snakes tend to hide in areas with erosion or fissures. Property owners near high-snake areas may also consider installing snake fencing. In addition to snakes, ticks are becoming more prevalent, particularly in grassy areas.

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