Lethbridge Minute: Issue 247

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

📅 This Week In Lethbridge: 📅

• Blaine Hyggen will serve a second term as Mayor, securing 42.97% of the vote in the 2025 municipal election. He began his post-election press conference by thanking voters, candidates, and election workers. Hyggen emphasized immediate action, heading to Edmonton and Calgary to continue advocacy work, particularly around attracting and retaining doctors in the city. He noted that while healthcare funding is provincial, the City can make Lethbridge an appealing place for professionals to live. Other key topics, like the proposed third bridge across the coulees, remain under review due to high estimated costs and potential tax impacts. Hyggen also addressed the low voter turnout, attributing it partly to the Canada Post strike affecting voter information delivery.
  
  
• Mayor Blaine Hyggen urged residents to treat incoming Council members with respect. He condemned online threats and name-calling, emphasizing that all elected officials are fellow citizens committed to improving the community. Hyggen reflected on his 12 years in municipal service and expressed gratitude to voters and candidates alike, noting that public engagement strengthens democracy. He highlighted ongoing priorities such as supporting public safety, reducing crime, and assisting in making Lethbridge an attractive place for doctors to live. He expressed optimism about collaborating with the new Council.
  
  
• Two Lethbridge non-profits, Interfaith Food Bank and Fresh Start Recovery Centre, have been recognized among Canada’s Top 100 Charities by Charity Intelligence for their transparency, impact, and effective use of donations. Interfaith Food Bank, appearing on the list for the third consecutive year, received high marks for demonstrated impact and allocated about 90% of its $1.38 million donations directly to programs like emergency food assistance, kitchen training, and community gardens. Fresh Start Recovery Centre, with locations in Lethbridge and Calgary, also received high impact ratings, directing roughly 86% of donations to addiction recovery services and reporting strong positive outcomes among patients, including 98% feeling supported in their recovery. 
  
  
• The Lethbridge Police Service (LPS) will host a public Partners in Policing forum on Tuesday, November 4th, from 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm at the Lethbridge Trade and Convention Centre. The event intends to give residents and community partners an opportunity to speak directly with police leadership about local safety concerns and ways to strengthen cooperation. Police Chief Shahin Mehdizadeh said public engagement is key to effective policing, calling citizens “co-producers of safety” rather than outside observers. The forum will include discussions on public safety priorities, problem-solving strategies, and new opportunities for collaboration between the community and law enforcement. Participants are encouraged to share what they see as the most pressing safety challenges in Lethbridge. Registration for the free event is open online until Friday, October 31st. The LPS says the feedback gathered will help guide future initiatives aimed at building safer neighbourhoods.
  
  
• Karen Reid has been appointed as the new Chair of the University of Lethbridge’s Board of Governors. Reid, the CFO of Charlton & Hill Limited, previously served on the U of L board from 2018 to 2024, contributing to committees on audit, human resources, finance, and executive matters, and serving as vice-chair. She expressed enthusiasm for guiding the University’s future and supporting students, faculty, and staff in teaching, research, and community engagement. Reid also has extensive volunteer experience, including leadership roles with the Lethbridge Squash Association and Big Brothers Big Sisters of Lethbridge and District. U of L President Dr. Digvir Jayas praised her financial expertise, governance experience, and community commitment as key assets for advancing the University’s mission and impact.

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

Did you read our coverage of the election results?

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