Lethbridge Minute: Education Events, Addiction Summit, and a Garbage Snooping Petition

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

This Week In Lethbridge:

• On Tuesday, at 12:30 pm, there will be a City Council meeting. Council will discuss the recent Childcare Needs Assessment and a plan to implement the 20 actions it recommended to increase the number of childcare spaces in the city. Administration will respond to an inquiry made by Councillor Schmidt-Rempel in July regarding the deterioration of Lethbridge's urban canopy. Administration notes that the City has applied for the Growing Canada’s Community Canopies grant, which offers funding for small and medium-sized communities. This grant is aimed at supporting tree planting initiatives to help maintain, grow, and protect local tree canopies. At 3:00 pm, there will be a Public Hearing to address a couple of land use amendments.
  
  
• The Downtown Lawlessness Reduction Task Force will meet on Thursday at 7:30 am. The agenda is pretty lean, with just a confidential discussion entitled “Summary and Recommendations” on the table.
  
  
• Our friends at the Alberta Parents’ Union are coming to the area this week. As part of their Back to School Tour, they will be in Picture Butte tonight and in Lethbridge on Wednesday. Both events take place from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Executive Director Jeff Park will host a discussion focused on key issues within the education system, like the role of the School Board, upcoming School Trustee elections, recent policy decisions, and future legislation that could impact schools. Whether you're a parent, grandparent, or community member with an interest in education, these events are open to everyone. The event is free, but RSVPs are required. You can register online for Picture Butte here and for Lethbridge here.

Last Week In Lethbridge:

• We launched a petition to oppose the City of Lethbridge’s pilot project to look in your recycling using AI cameras. If the cameras catch improper items in the bin, residents will receive a postcard reminding them of correct disposal practices, with no penalties or fines at this stage. But, we’re concerned about the potential for fines in the future, and even more importantly, the potential for misuse of the technology. If you agree, click here to sign the petition to Stop Government Garbage Snooping.
  
  
• The Lethbridge Police Service (LPS) and the City of Lethbridge have responded to Alberta's proposed changes to the Automated Traffic Enforcement (ATE) program, which would limit the use of traffic cameras to playgrounds, schools, and construction zones. LPS Chief Shahin Mehdizadeh argued that ATE devices are essential for holding drivers accountable and reducing traffic offences like speeding and running red lights. He said that revenue from the ATE program is split between the City and the Province, with none going directly to the police, while Mayor Blaine Hyggen emphasized that funds from ATE go towards community safety initiatives.
  
  
• Speaking of the Mayor and Police Chief, Hyggen and Mehdizadeh attended the Municipal Leadership on Substance Use Summit in Timmins, Ontario, to discuss strategies for addressing addiction issues. Both highlighted Alberta’s focus on a recovery-based approach, which they believe is contributing to a decline in overdose deaths. Chief Mehdizadeh emphasized how the Virtual Overdose Dependency Program is helping connect individuals struggling with addiction to treatment, a major shift from simply arresting offenders.

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