Lethbridge Minute: Issue 270

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

📅 This Week In Lethbridge: 📅

• We're hosting a Pints & Politics event in Lethbridge, in conjunction with our friends at the Alberta Institute! Councillor Al Beeber will be joining us, and Alberta Institute Project Director Lindsay Wilson will be hosting a Q&A, followed by plenty of time for informal conversation. The event takes place on Wednesday, May 20th. It’s free, but you’ll need to RSVP here.
  
  
• Lethbridge City Council has once again declared April 7th as Green Shirt Day, a motion put forward by Mayor Blaine Hyggen that passed unanimously. The annual proclamation honours Logan Boulet’s legacy and encourages Canadians to discuss organ donation with their families. Since 2019, Council has requested exceptions to a long-standing resolution that generally limits proclamations to avoid controversy, allowing Green Shirt Day to be recognized each year. The day commemorates victims of the fatal Humboldt Broncos bus crash that took Logan’s life and celebrates his impact in inspiring organ donor registration. Hyggen praised Logan’s family for their tireless advocacy, noting that their efforts extend far beyond Lethbridge and continue to influence Canadians nationwide.
  
  
• The City of Lethbridge is set to begin the second phase of the Crowsnest Trail Pathway. This three-kilometre, multi-use route connects the high-traffic corridor between Mayor Magrath Drive South and the WT Hill Business Park. Phase one of the project was completed in late 2025, extending from Mayor Magrath Drive to 28 Street South. The upcoming final stretch will include a protected pedestrian rail crossing, upgraded intersections, and safety features such as steel guardrails and buffer zones to separate users from traffic. Once finished, the pathway will terminate at 4 Avenue South and WT Hill Boulevard South, linking with the future MPE Link Pathway. Construction is expected to be completed by the end of August 2026, providing a paved and convenient route for pedestrians and cyclists.
  
  
• A city-wide elm tree pruning ban took effect in Lethbridge on April 1st and will continue until September 30th, 2026. This measure is intended to prevent the spread of Dutch Elm Disease (DED), a fungus transmitted by elm bark beetles that can kill healthy trees. Provincial regulations also strictly prohibit the storage, sale, or transportation of elm wood during this timeframe. Residents are advised to watch for signs of infection, such as trees that fail to leaf out in the spring or leaves that wilt, turn brown, or yellow prematurely in the summer. If a struggling tree is spotted, it should be reported to Lethbridge 311 or the STOPDED hotline at 1877-837-ELMS (3567). By restricting pruning and wood movement, the community can help protect local elms from the destructive fungus.
  
  
• The City of Lethbridge’s three self-service yard waste sites have reopened for the season as of April 1st. The North, South, and West locations are now open daily from 9:00 am to 7:00 pm, allowing residents to drop off yard waste, including branches, grass, and other green materials. New this year, residents can also drop off mattresses and box springs at any site as part of a mattress diversion pilot program. 

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

Join us for Pints & Politics!

Where: Hudsons Canada's Pub (904 2 Ave S)

When: Wednesday, May 20th, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Cost: Free (Snacks provided, meals and drinks available for purchase)

RSVP: Required due to limited capacity

🪙 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!