Lethbridge Minute: Swim Program, Bylaw Timing, and a Task Force Review

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

This Week In Lethbridge:

• There will be a City Council meeting on Tuesday at 12:30 pm. The meeting will begin with a closed session for an hour before opening up to the public at 1:30 pm. An official business motion will be presented by Acting Mayor John Middleton-Hope calling for funding to cover costs of hosting a lawlessness workshop for mid-sized Alberta cities in advance of the Alberta Association of Police Governance Conference & Annual General Meeting. As part of the City’s review of its Land Use Bylaw, Council is being asked to give First Reading to amendments under the first phase of the project, dealing with social uses (things like drop-in centres, food banks, group homes, shelters, and supportive housing). Before that takes place, Councillor Dodic will bring up an Official Business Motion to delay the consideration of these amendments until they can be part of a comprehensive review of the entire Land Use Bylaw. The motion aims for a complete package of amendments to be presented to City Council by Q2 2026 or sooner.
  
  
• There are two big upcoming events happening in the city (and this isn't a sponsored post; we just think they're great!) The first is Professional Bull Riding Canada’s Elite Cup Series, which is returning to Lethbridge for the sixth consecutive season on March 1st and 2nd. The PBR South Country Co-op Showdown, which takes place at the ENMAX Centre, features Canada's top riders and international athletes challenging elite bucking bulls. Tickets are available online.
  
  
• The second is the Ag-Expo, a longstanding element of the Lethbridge and District Exhibition, which is set to take place for the first time at the new Agri-Food Hub and Trade Centre. The Expo offers visitors insights into the heart of Southern Alberta's agriculture industry, showcasing the latest farm equipment, industry technology, and hosting the North American Seed Fair. The Expo runs from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, Tuesday through Thursday. Tickets can be purchased online.

Last Week In Lethbridge:

• The City Solicitor has been directed to review the terms of reference of the Downtown Lawlessness Task Force due to concerns about potential conflicts of interest. The contention is that two members of the Task Force also serve on the Police Commission, and other members serve on the Board of the Downtown Business Revitalization Zone, and that their dual roles contravene the Procedure Bylaw, which stipulates that public members may serve only on one Board, Commission, or Committee at a time unless Council determines otherwise. Mayor Blaine Hyggen expressed frustration with the situation, noting how difficult it is to get volunteers to sit on committees. “[T]he ones that volunteer their time to sit on the committees get ridiculed by the ones that want to sit on their keyboards and complain,” he said.  Despite the review, the Task Force will continue operating, with potential changes in membership depending on legal recommendations. Those recommendations will be presented to the Governance Standing Policy Committee on March 28th.
  
  
• The Lethbridge Sport Council, in collaboration with Recreation Excellence Lethbridge and Lethbridge Family Services (Immigrant Services Department), has introduced a women and girls-only swim program to cater to individuals with cultural, religious, trauma, or personal reasons for avoiding traditional or mixed-gender sports. The Lethbridge Sport Council, highlighted the program's aim to provide a safe space for women and girls to swim without the presence of men or boys older than five. The initiative is particularly targeted towards newcomers to Canada but is open to all women, girls, and those who identify as women. The sessions are scheduled on the last Friday of every month from 3:00 pm to 4:00 pm at the Stan Siwik Family Swimming Pool, with a nominal fee of $4 for participants and free admission for children under three. With funding from a grant through Makadiff Sports, the program will provide free swimming to the first 35 participants for each session for a year.
  
  
• Green Shirt Day got underway, commemorating the legacy of Logan Boulet, who became an organ donor following the tragic Humboldt Broncos bus crash in 2018. Logan's contributions saved six lives, sparking a surge in organ donor registrations known as the Logan Boulet Effect. Logan's parents, Toby and Bernadine Boulet, kickstarted the sixth year of Green Shirt Day at Lethbridge City Hall, expressing gratitude for the immense support received. The initiative aims to inspire 100,000 Canadians to register as organ donors in 2024.

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