Lethbridge Minute: Issue 226

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

📅 This Week In Lethbridge: 📅

• The only meeting at City Hall this week - a meeting of the Assets and Infrastructure Standing Policy Committee - has been cancelled.
  
  
• Lethbridge City Council has approved a new tax incentive to support business growth in strategic sectors. The Business Development, Expansion and Retention Incentive Program offers grants to companies that invest at least $2 million in industries such as agrifood, trade and logistics, and renewable energy. Eligible businesses can receive a grant that offsets the increase in municipal property taxes caused by their investment. The grant covers 100% in the first year, gradually dropping to 50% by year five. To qualify, companies must also create at least five new ongoing jobs. Mayor Blaine Hyggen said the program makes it easier and more affordable for businesses to invest in the city. CFO Darrell Matthews added that the targeted sectors were chosen to align with economic goals and government priorities, offering opportunities for innovation, sustainability, and global competitiveness.
  
  
• Ryan Mennie has been officially certified as a candidate for the 2025 Lethbridge municipal election, set for October 20th. A former councillor in Campbell River, BC, Mennie brings two terms of Council experience and a background in communications, local radio, and project facilitation at Lethbridge Polytechnic. His platform focuses on three key priorities: keeping municipal taxes affordable, boosting the local economy by supporting businesses and attracting investment, and improving transparency and trust in council decisions. He emphasizes the importance of practical, action-oriented leadership grounded in community engagement. Mennie grew up in Lethbridge, returned in 2014 with his family, and remains active through community efforts like the “Stuff the Bus” school supply campaign. He is campaigning on a message of urgency and local accountability, saying Lethbridge is at a turning point and needs Councillors prepared to act decisively.
  
  
• Speaking of the election, the City of Lethbridge has launched a creative “I Voted” sticker contest in partnership with local school divisions to boost engagement ahead of the October municipal and school trustee elections. The contest invites K-12 students to design the stickers that voters will receive at polling stations from October 8th - 20th. The initiative aims to involve youth in the democratic process, even though they cannot yet vote, by sparking conversations about civic participation. City officials hope the limited-edition stickers will encourage early voting and generate excitement around the election. The winning design will be announced in September and featured at polling locations, with the winning student earning a pizza party to celebrate. Submissions are due by June 20th and will be collected through participating schools. Organizers see the campaign as both a fun art project and a meaningful way to foster civic pride and awareness among young people.
  
  
• City crews in Lethbridge have dismantled a high-risk encampment in the River Valley, citing safety, environmental, and structural concerns. The tent site was located in a difficult-to-access area of the coulees and classified as “Tier 3” - the most severe risk level under the City’s Encampment Strategy. A drone was used to assess the site, and the Lethbridge Fire and Emergency Services Water Rescue Team accessed it by jetboat. Over 1,000 kilograms of debris were cleared, including propane tanks, open flame devices and a cast iron stove. Officials said the operation was part of an ongoing effort to manage fire risk in natural areas. The outreach team also engaged with encampment residents before and during the removal, offering support services. Fire Chief Greg Adair highlighted the importance of combining technical resources with community engagement to prevent wildfires and support vulnerable individuals.
  
  
• Lethbridge Polytechnic will launch a new Powerline Technician Apprenticeship program in October 2025, with applications now open. The four-year program includes three years of classroom learning followed by a fourth year of practical, on-the-job experience. It also includes the first two years of the Power System Electrician program, giving students a head start in both trades. Dean Sheldon Anderson said the new program builds on the school’s successful pre-employment course and responds to the growing demand for skilled trades in Alberta’s energy sector. Lethbridge Polytechnic is now one of only two institutions in the province offering this training. Anderson added that Alberta’s expanding infrastructure will need a new generation of technicians to meet future energy demands. The program is part of the school’s broader effort to strengthen its trades and technology offerings in southern Alberta.

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

Who is your favourite Lethbridge City Councillor - and why?

Is it because of their voting record, how they engage with the community, or something else?

Take a moment to reply and share your thoughts with us.

Your feedback helps us understand which Councillors are truly representing the interests and values of Lethbridge residents.

🪙 This Week’s Sponsor: 🪙

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