Lethbridge Minute: Issue 257

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

📅 This Week In Lethbridge: 📅

• Happy New Year! As 2026 gets underway, Common Sense Lethbridge is ready to make this the year that common sense takes center stage in our city. Your support and engagement make it possible for us to push for smarter decisions, lower taxes, and greater accountability at City Hall. This year, we’ll continue speaking up for practical solutions that benefit all Lethbridgians and ensure our city’s leaders are focused on the priorities that matter most. Wishing you and your family a happy, healthy, and successful year ahead!
  
  
• Mayor Blaine Hyggen is entering 2026 focused on continuing key initiatives rather than pursuing “new shiny things.” With several new Councillors on the team, Hyggen says he is encouraged by their energy, engagement, and thoughtful questions during orientation. He says Council’s top priority will be fiscal responsibility, emphasizing careful spending, finding efficiencies, and avoiding unnecessary costs to keep taxes stable. Ongoing work will center on maintaining infrastructure, water and wastewater systems, supporting construction and new housing, and collaborating with community partners. The upcoming capital budget is expected to be tight, reflecting a focus on essential projects only.
  
  
• Excite Lethbridge is claiming that they had a strong 2025, marked by its organizational split from the Lethbridge & District Agricultural Society (LDAS) and a return to family-friendly events like the Neon Night New Year’s Eve Party. The Trade & Convention Centre, now under Excite Lethbridge, saw record attendance at Whoop-Up Days, including a 47% increase for the rodeo, and hosted a surge of diverse events and large conferences. Collaboration with Tourism Lethbridge and new features at major events helped boost revenue and community engagement. CEO Kim Gallucci highlighted that the transition was complex but largely complete, allowing the organization to focus on strategic planning and bidding on conferences and events. Excite Lethbridge aims to expand its brand recognition, grow revenue streams, and strengthen sponsorships in 2026. Challenges include managing aging facilities, coordinating with LDAS on joint events, and improving operational efficiency.
  
  
• The Lethbridge and Area Metis Association has received additional funding from the Community Foundation of Lethbridge and Southwestern Alberta, through the Henry S. Varley Fund for Rural Life, to continue its Oral History of Metis in Southern Alberta project. The initiative, which began earlier in 2025, aims to connect census and archaeological data with family histories to educate the public about the Metis’ role in shaping the region. The funding will support travel, honoraria, and digital management of interviews, making participation more accessible for rural and remote community members. Beyond the oral history project, the organization offers workshops, youth and elder programs, community gatherings, and partnerships with local groups. 
  
  
• Lethbridge saw a modest but encouraging increase in physician numbers in the third quarter of 2025, according to new data from the College of Physicians and Surgeons of Alberta. There were 6 additional doctors who began practising in the city between July and September, bringing the total to 317 - up 4 from the same time last year and 43 higher than three years ago. While many residents continue to face challenges finding a family doctor, the trend suggests gradual improvement across the region. The wider South Health Zone added 18 physicians over the past year, and several clinics in southern Alberta are currently accepting new patients. Province-wide, Alberta added 442 new physicians in Q3, though most settled in Calgary and Edmonton.

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

If you could suggest a New Year’s resolution for Lethbridge City Council, what would it be? 

Share your ideas with us!

🪙 This Week’s Sponsor: 🪙

This week's sponsor is you! We don't have big corporate backers, so if you like what you're reading, please consider making a donation or signing up as a monthly member.

Having said that, if you are a local business and are interested in being a sponsor, send us an email and we'll talk!