Bridget Mearns

By Connor Gunn

Bridget Mearns running for Mayor of Lethbridge

Jul 22, 2021 | 2:15 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Well-known local and community member Bridget Mearns has announced her candidacy for Mayor.

Mearns is throwing her hat into the ring for mayor in an attempt to become Lethbridge’s first female mayor.

As a former city councillor, serving two terms, she would like to step into the mayor’s seat and in her words is “the best candidate.”

“I saw that there was something that I have to offer and now is the time for me to make that offer to the citizens of Lethbridge: I want to be your mayor.”

In her announcement Thursday, over 50 people joined Mearns in support of her decision to run for mayor.

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Community activist and philanthropist, Knud Peterson, showed his support for Mearns Thursday saying it’s time for a female mayor.

“Lethbridge’s first mayor was Charles Magrath elected in 1891, since then, we have had 25 different men occupy the mayor’s chair. Now is a very appropriate time to elect our first woman mayor.”

“I have known Bridget for many years through her work in the community. I have always respected her passion, compassion, and drive. I firmly believe that she is the best person to lead our City forward as Mayor and I am thrilled she has officially launched her campaign” Peterson adds.

Mearns says she prioritizes local businesses, wants to give a high quality of life to everyone, and would like to see a new performing arts centre in the city.

“My Lethbridge is not defined by our problems, but rather by our riches in diversity, culture, nature trails and parks, a resilient and supported local economy, and a pride in all we are and can be.”

On her campaign website, Mearns listed the following goals:

• Quality of life is what draws people to Lethbridge and grows our economy.
• When we build a Lethbridge for all, we all thrive.
• People of all ages and abilities need to be able to access the city’s benefits, whether those are recreation, education, transportation, culture, or the safety of a home.
• Affordability and accessibility need to be addressed in all city services.
• We need a solutions-based approach to solving difficult problems.
• We need to build on our strengths and work together.

Mearns added that she thinks now is the time to step again into public service, and wants to be Lethbridge’s next mayor.

She becomes the sixth candidate running for mayor in this fall’s election.

A list of candidates who have filed nomination papers, including those running for mayor, council, and school board in Lethbridge, can be accessed here.