By Sam Borsato - @BorsatoSam on Twitter

Council Builds on Professional Development at 2016 AUMA Convention

Oct 10, 2016 | 10:21 AM

LETHBRIDGE – Another Alberta Urban Municipalities Association (AUMA) Convention has come and gone for hundreds of municipal and provincial leaders.

The annual AUMA convention, held in Edmonton at the Shaw Convention Centre this year, brings communities together to discuss new tools in tackling economic, environmental and social matters at the local level.

Mayor Chris Spearman alongside Councillors Blaine Hyggen, Jeff Carlson, Liz Iwaskiw and Bridget Mearns represented Lethbridge for all three days. They noted that it’s always a great opportunity for professional development.

In particular, Mayor Spearman said they learned a lot about different approaches to finance this time.

“Generally, we have used more traditional means, like borrowing and lending. We’ll think about those, see whether or not that’s something Lethbridge is ready for, and what types of financing are available. We just have to weigh that all very carefully.”

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Other common themes involved how municipalities are being affected by low oil prices, and how the province plans to match federal support funding.

Mayor Spearman added that council also met with provincial Infrastructure Minister, Brian Mason, in an effort to advocate for potential projects in the city.

Speeches from Alberta Premier Rachel Notley and federal Infrastructure Minister, Amarjeet Sohi, and a number of educational sessions with other ministers were among the highlights for Lethbridge council.

The AUMA convention wrapped up Friday (Oct. 7), with speeches from Alberta’s opposition party leaders, and a special tribute to all those that provided support during the Fort McMurray wildfires.