Lethbridge Minute: Park Survey, Rental Rates, and Canada Day Expansion

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

This Week In Lethbridge:

• There will be a City Council Meeting at 12:30 pm on Tuesday. Councillor Schmidt-Rempel will bring forward an Official Business Motion asking that Lethbridge consider rejoining the Inter-City Forum on Social Policy (ICFSP) to strengthen advocacy and collaboration on social issues with other Alberta municipalities. Membership would include one representative from City Council and one from senior administration, attending biannual meetings. The annual fee of $500 would be covered by the Mayor and Council Operating Budget.
  
  
• The Economic and Finance Standing Policy Committee will meet on Thursday at 12:30 pm. The City’s Waste & Environment department will request Council’s approval to apply for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ Local Leadership for Climate Adaptation initiative. The goal is to secure funding to develop a natural asset management plan for the city. There will also be a confidential discussion about two items, entitled Municipal Controlled Corporation Development Update and Capital Improvement Program Planning.
  
  
• The City of Lethbridge is seeking public input for a new strategic plan for Henderson Lake Park. The plan aims to outline future improvements, projects, and a long-term vision for the Park. The public can provide feedback through an online survey, which is open until February 28th.

Last Week In Lethbridge:

• The City of Lethbridge has partnered with the Lethbridge and District Exhibition (LDE) to expand the annual Canada Day celebration. With over 12,000 attendees in 2024, the partnership will move larger activities, like the food truck alley and main stage, to the LDE grounds to ease overcrowding. The event will still include familiar elements like the kids' zone, family zone, and fireworks.
  
  
• The Evangelical Free Church of Lethbridge donated $242,977 to support local initiatives. The funds will be split between Streets Alive Mission and the Lethbridge Soup Kitchen, with Streets Alive receiving $164,488 for its facility expansion and the Soup Kitchen getting $78,488 for dining area renovations. Both organizations aim to address the city’s high poverty and homelessness rates, with the Soup Kitchen serving 14,000 meals monthly.
  
  
• Rental prices in Lethbridge have surged at the fastest rate in Canada, with one-bedroom apartments averaging $1,393 per month in January 2025, a 14.6% increase from the previous year. Two-bedroom units also saw a rise, costing $1,559, a 10.7% increase. While national rental costs have decreased slightly, Lethbridge stands out for its significant price jump compared to other Canadian cities. The rental price gap between Lethbridge and other Alberta cities has narrowed, with Calgary’s rental prices also dropping. Despite the increase, Lethbridge remains more affordable than larger cities like Vancouver, where one-bedroom rents average $2,522.

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