Lethbridge Minute: Tough Choices, Recycling Fees, and Electronic Vote Tabulators

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

This Week In Lethbridge:

• There are no meetings at City Hall this week, as Thursday’s meeting of the Safety and Social Standing Policy Committee is canceled due to no agenda items.
  
  
• Lethbridge residents will no longer have to pay curbside recycling fees starting April 1st, as Alberta’s Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program shifts recycling costs to producers. The program will be implemented province-wide, with apartments and condos joining in October 2026. To transition to the EPR system, the City will pay off the remaining $7.6 million debt on its Material Recovery Facility using existing funds, avoiding utility rate increases. Mayor Blaine Hyggen highlighted the decision’s long-term benefits, including saving $1.4 million in interest.
  
  
• After an update on the 2027-2030 Capital Improvement Program, Administration is warning that funding constraints will severely limit new infrastructure projects. Mayor Blaine Hyggen emphasized that the next Council will have little flexibility and must prioritize existing projects rather than seeking new ones. With $900 million in potential projects and only $107 million available over four years - of which just $40 million is unallocated - the City faces tough financial decisions. Council will formally deliberate on the new capital plan in fall 2026.

Last Week In Lethbridge:

• Council voted to send a letter to the Alberta government requesting permission to use electronic vote tabulators in the upcoming municipal election, arguing that banning them will double costs and delay results. The City estimates using tabulators would save at least $300,000 and allow results to be announced within hours, as in previous elections. Council also requested permission to transfer ballots to City Hall for counting, rather than conducting on-site counts as required under current rules. Municipal Affairs Minister Ric McIver rejected the request, stating municipalities must follow the new law and manage their own election costs. While the Province remains open to considering changes for the 2029 election, it will not make adjustments for this year’s vote.
  
  
• Council has adopted a new Parks Master Plan, setting a vision for parks and open spaces over the next 15 to 20 years. The Plan emphasizes accessibility, naturalization, and sustainability to reduce maintenance costs and adapt to climate change. Key priorities include expanding parks, promoting cultural awareness, restoring natural spaces, and incorporating biodiversity and food security into planning. Community input played a role in shaping the plan, with 715 residents providing feedback through an online survey. Any budget adjustments or capital projects related to the plan will still require Council approval.
  
  
• PIP Lethbridge Inc. has received a $2.3 million grant from Results Driven Agriculture Research (RDAR) to advance its plant-based protein processing. The funding will help the company enhance technology, improve protein recovery, and increase cost-effectiveness in yellow pea production. This follows a previous $215,000 grant in 2024 aimed at improving protein integrity and taste. RDAR highlighted the economic and agricultural benefits of pea protein, while PIP emphasized the importance of ongoing investment in Alberta’s Ag-tech sector. As part of its expansion, PIP is also exploring a second location in the Lethbridge area.

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