John Middleton-Hope (left), Rob Miyashiro (centre) and Layton Veverka (right) are running in the Lethbridge-West by-election. (Photos: John Middleton-Hope, Alberta NDP, Alberta Party)

By David Opinko

Lethbridge-West by-election candidates answer questions on key issues

Dec 9, 2024 | 8:32 AM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Before you hit the polls for the Lethbridge-West by-election, you can learn more about where the candidates stand on several important issues.

Lethbridge News Now asked the United Conservative Party’s (UCP’s) John Middleton-Hope, the Alberta NDP’s Rob Miyashiro, and the Alberta Party’s Layton Veverka to fill out a list of questions with their stances.

Advance voting runs from December 10-14 and the general voting day is December 18.

Their full, unedited responses, are below:

Why should people vote for you?

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John Middleton-Hope:

• Experience: A lifetime of community service in leadership roles.
• Expertise: In international policing, consultancy, academics and government.
• Energy: Tireless in his pursuit of the expectations of our citizens which include public safety initiatives, infrastructure development, addressing health care needs, housing affordability and education for our children.
• Electability: He is highly qualified to take on the challenges we are faced with in Lethbridge and earn back this seat from the New Democrats. As a Councilor, he has already developed relationships with Ministers of the Alberta Government that may be accessed to deliver the resources we need for our growing city.

Rob Miyashiro:

I’m running to be the MLA for Lethbridge-West because I care deeply about our city and the future of our province. After five years of the UCP, things are worse than ever. People in Lethbridge are struggling with the effects of dismantling of our health care system, the underfunding of education, and an affordability crisis that hurts families and communities. I’m committed to standing up for Lethbridge-West, fighting for better public services, and helping to make life more affordable. I’ll work every day, like I have for my entire career, to ensure Lethbridge is a strong, vibrant place to live.

Layton Veverka

As a power engineer married to a registered nurse, my family is on the front lines building and caring for this province. I have seen firsthand how people are struggling to get through their day to day, and how it is getting harder to make ends meet. The people of Lethbridge, and Alberta as a whole, deserve to be represented by someone who understands the reality of their lives. Because the Alberta Party is not tied to one particular ideology, we have the ability to look for good ideas to help the people of Alberta no matter where they may come from.

What are your top policy priorities?

Rob Miyashiro:

Fixing the chaos in our health care system, including attracting more doctors to Lethbridge, attracting more OBGYNs and other specialists, and reducing wait times in our Emergency department.

Making life more affordable for families by tackling the cost of living, bringing down insurance and utilities costs, and protecting our CPP.

Improving education by relieving pressure on overcrowded classrooms and ensuring schools have the teachers, EAs, staff, and resources they need to help our students succeed.

Layton Veverka:

Making life more affordable for Albertans – whether it is through decreasing the interest on the Alberta portion of student loans or reducing administrative costs by decreasing inefficiency in government. There needs to be a thorough review of whether spending taxpayer’s dollars on things like spending Intergovernmental Affairs took up after the Canadian Energy Centre was rolled in are really helping Albertans.

John Middleton-Hope:

Not surprisingly public safety, education, health care, infrastructure and affordability.

Should Alberta ditch the Canada Pension Plan in favour of a new made-in-Alberta pension plan?

Layton Veverka:

No – there has not been a business case presented about how an Alberta pension plan would be better than the CPP. It would, however, increase the administrative costs to taxpayers with no obvious benefits by increasing the number of civil servants it would take to run such a program.

John Middleton-Hope:

I, like our Premier and the UCP Government, believe that more work and information gathering needs to be done to determine what our share of the assets are and what, if any, responsibilities we as Albertans may have for liabilities should the transition take place. I am in favour of exploring this option, recognizing that no decisions can or will be made without assurances from the Government and a plebiscite where a majority of Albertan’s are consulted and vote one way or the other. This process of information gathering and the requirement of putting the issue to a Referendum, for Albertans to ultimately decide one way or another), has been codified into Legislation.

Rob Miyashiro:

Absolutely not. The UCP’s reckless plan to create an Alberta Pension Plan puts people’s hard-earned retirement savings at risk. Albertans deserve stability and security with their pensions, and the CPP is a proven, reliable system that we have all paid into. I am against any plans to gamble with Albertans’ futures.

Should Alberta replace the RCMP with a provincial police service?

Rob Miyashiro:

No. Replacing the RCMP would be extremely expensive for municipalities and is totally unnecessary. That money would be better spent on increasing community safety through better mental health supports, more addictions services, and increasing our affordable housing.

John Middleton-Hope:

This would be a lengthy and expensive process to eventually reap cost benefits and greater controls over governance. There are many things that may be accomplished to enhance policing across the province that may or may not include our own provincial police service. However, this decision will depend on whether or not the Government of Canada is going to extend the PPA beyond 2032. As we don’t know what position the Federal Government will ultimately take, preparing for this potential outcome is prudent as it will take nearly 8 years before this contract expires to design and finance a policing model that would meet the needs of Albertans into the next century.

Layton Veverka:

No – much like the idea of an Alberta pension plan, unless there is a cost savings to Albertans, we should not be entertaining creating yet another layer of bureaucracy. The RCMP will still be in charge of national issues like counter-terrorism, and unless an Alberta police force would cost municipalities less per officer than the RMCP, it should not considered.

What more would you do to make life more affordable for people in Lethbridge/Alberta?

John Middleton-Hope:

The job of an MLA is to advocate with the Provincial Government to acquire the legislative authority and resources that will benefit our region (see my top priorities above). We can make a difference in people’s lives by reducing expenses such as taxation at the provincial and federal levels on groceries, gas and utilities for example. By exploring rent controls, rent subsidies and municipal tax incentives to keep seniors in their homes longer are strategies that work in other jurisdictions and some we are trying here. We can’t affect interest rates (federally set) but we can help to reduce monthly expenses.

Layton Veverka:

In addition to reductions in student loan interest and looking for ways to reduce taxes, keeping the government focused on affordability instead of all of the red herrings that the major parties like to fight over to distract from broader issues will ensure that we continue to find ways to create an economic environment which helps people afford the Alberta advantage.

Rob Miyashiro:

Things just keep getting more expensive under the UCP, wages aren’t keeping up, and people are struggling. I’d fight to bring the cost of utilities under control, to protect renters from unfair increases, and to lower insurance costs.

How would you try to make Lethbridge a more safe community?

Layton Veverka:

Dealing with underlying issues of homelessness, mental health and addition go a long way to starting to address certain kinds of crime in our community. More than that, by creating a stronger sense of civic responsibility, we can keep those who would use our community for their illegal activities away.

Rob Miyashiro:

Community safety starts with addressing root causes like poverty, addictions, and mental health. I’d advocate for more funding for mental health and addictions services, for expanding affordable housing, for better health care, and for ensuring community organizations have the support they need to help people in crisis. I would also argue that 5 years of UCP cuts to municipal funding have not made Lethbridge a safer place.

John Middleton-Hope:

As a member of City Council, I ensured that the LPS had the necessary funds taken from them, from previous council), returned and advocated for a budgetary increase of $16m over the term of the budget. I Developed the Downtown Lawless Reduction Task Force, the Intermunicipal Lawlessness Project, the Encampment strategy and secured a full time SCAN team for Lethbridge. If elected, I will continue to advocate with Minister Ellis to provide 8 provincially funded police officer positions, (to which he committed in March 2024), to augment our Police Service. I have also proposed that LPS be permitted to apply for community policing grants from the fine revenue the GOA retains from conventional and photo radar. I will also continue to advocate for regional specialized service deployment (TAC teams, Explosives etc) partially funded by the province and I will advocate for a greater role for Sheriffs to play in provincial traffic enforcement in cities, (allowing the LPS to focus on crime reduction and attending serious crimes), and to address border integrity issues to augment CBSA.

What would you do to help attract more physicians to Lethbridge?

John Middleton-Hope:

We have attracted 61 doctors (27 primary care and 34 specialists) in the last two years by promoting the benefits of living in Lethbridge. Lower cost of housing, better quality of life, employment opportunities for spouses and family members, growing cultural diversity and proximity to the mountains for recreation are all elements that we can market to attract new doctors to our City. The new medical school at U of L will result in 50 more doctors per year entering the program in 2025. Incentivizing setting up practices in the region through such things as reduced housing and tuition costs (potential interest rate or even loan forgiveness plans) may be explored. Assisting doctors and nurse practitioners with the “business” of operating new clinics and reducing bureaucracy so they may attend to patient care is and will continue to be important along with a fair and equitable collective agreement to retaining practitioners.

Rob Miyashiro:

We have to create an environment in our province where health care professionals feel respected, where they are compensated fairly, and where they want to put down roots. Lethbridge is an incredible city, but it’s been years since we’ve had enough doctors accepting new patients. It doesn’t have to be this way. The provincial government has to stop dismantling health care. We all need a government that will create stability in our health care system, and come to the table in good faith to address these issues.

Layton Veverka:

We are not going to attract more physicians to Lethbridge or anywhere else in Alberta until we deal with the animosity between this government and the medical community. Between the one-sided negotiations and outright hostility, there needs to be a total reset on the relationship between physicians, nurses and the rest of the medical professions. The implementation of the changes to AHS could not be going worse, adding to an already fraught situation. We need to repair the current relationships before we can start building new ones.

What should be done to address crowded K-12 classrooms?

Rob Miyashiro:

We need to properly fund public education to reduce class sizes and to hire more teachers, EAs, and support staff. After 5 years of the UCP government, Alberta students are the lowest-funded in Canada. I don’t think that’s right. Planning ahead for enrollment growth is crucial. We need a sustainable, long-term solution that will create the stability needed to get our education system back on track.

Layton Veverka:

Implementing external accountability mechanisms for meeting tangible metrics like teacher to pupil ratios would keep the ministries on track. I would suggest having a small work group dedicated to having various departments meet their targets and provide direction on change management so that we do not have a repeat of the debacle the AHS reorganization is turning into.

John Middleton-Hope:

I have several grandkids in both primary and junior high schools in Alberta. Because of the unprecedented population growth, space will be at a premium as it was in the early 1960’s. Class sizes will not decrease (over 45,000 students are added, and more than 100 schools need to be built). Lethbridge needs to submit comprehensive proposals to build additional schools and access the $8.6b accelerator fund (building 2 now and renovating 3 more). We need access to portable classrooms in the short term, but more importantly, the GOA needs to ensure universities are training more teachers and educational assistants and in particular, the EAs are paid commensurate with the important role they play in managing student behaviors in classrooms that are now stretched with special needs children, so teachers are able to teach.

How would you seek to help those suffering from mental health/addictions/homelessness?

Layton Veverka:

Mental health issues, addictions and homelessness are symptoms of larger problems in our society. While we can address these issues directly with harm reduction and community supports – and we should be doing these things – we need to start building long term solutions that address childhood trauma, food stability and security, and systemic violence. We cannot turn a blind eye to the problems we are facing, and we cannot let ideology dictate the strategies we implement.

John Middleton-Hope:

The recovery model the GOA is using now has a much better chance of success than an addictions model of enabling drug abuse as was the case with the NDP strategy. Lethbridge News Now reported in December 4th that the number of deaths in the South Health Zone in the first eight months of this year is down by 186 per cent from last year, and a decrease of 67 per cent from 2022. The Government’s approach is trending things in the right direction.

Improved shelter space run by the Blood Tribe Department of Health with a navigation center and daytime activities to keep users engaged has proven effective and is a true success story. Fresh Start and 416 Stafford Dr. where those who want help with addictions can get a bed in treatment, get clean and then learn how to manage their lives has been created and successfully operated. Many people struggling with addiction and homelessness lack the skills to live on their own and investment in self-sufficiency is critical. Our Provincial UCP government believes that a focus on promoting mental health in young people and providing important support as they negotiate the challenges of growing up, going to school and moving out on their own will positively impact the post covid generation. The GOA’s model may include compulsory treatment in some of the most egregious cases where overdosing has unfortunately become a near daily habit and if ordered by the courts, may save lives.

Rob Miyashiro:

I’d advocate for an expansion of treatment programs, better community supports, and affordable housing. Addressing homelessness also means tackling systemic issues like poverty and ensuring wraparound supports are in place so people can rebuild their lives.

How would you try to make Lethbridge be seen as a good place to live?

John Middleton-Hope:

I think Lethbridge is already a great place to live. The strategies the city uses to promote the region are opportunities to showcase our city and what we have to offer. Promotions being used include comparatively low cost of owning a home, low unemployment rates, access to schools, day care and improving health care. Of the 450,000 people who moved to Alberta in the last two years, more than 7,000 have moved to Lethbridge and a large number came from Ontario and BC. I am told by numerous constituents the reasons they moved here are favorable cost of living, favorable business opportunities provided by the UCP Government and Premier Smith and our political climate. Compared to other left-leaning provinces, Alberta is viewed very favorably as an exceptional place to live and start a business.

Rob Miyashiro:

By calling for investment in the things we know make communities thrive: quality health care, strong schools, affordable housing, and good jobs. I’d also work to support our local arts and culture scene and the many small businesses that make Lethbridge special.

Layton Veverka:

We need to be more vocal about the amazing place that Lethbridge is to live. We need to make sure we are not too shy to tell Albertans and other Canadians about the benefits of living in Lethbridge.

Say something nice about your opponents in the by-election.

Rob Miyashiro:

As a former City Councillor myself, I admire John, and anyone that seeks public office. John and I have always gotten along and he always greets me in a warm and friendly manner. John has served our community, and I admire his dedication to Lethbridge.

Layton Veverka:

It’s always difficult to put yourself out there to run for elected office, and I have a deep appreciation for the other candidates for their participation in this very important part of the democratic process.

John Middleton-Hope:

I think Rob generally has the best interests of our citizens in mind and I thank him for his commitment to the campaign.

Anything else you would like to say to the people of Lethbridge-West ahead of the by-election?

Layton Veverka:

Your vote does matter and a by-election is a unique opportunity to send a message to the government about how you feel about their current performance. Please get out and vote!

John Middleton-Hope:

This byelection is important and so is voting and exercising your democratic rights. A vote for the UCP will ensure representation in the Alberta government for the next three years. Based on my experience, expertise and energy, I have the important skills necessary to effectively represent all citizens of Lethbridge as their MLA in the legislature. I will continue to leverage the relationships I have cultivated during the past three years working on City Council to secure the necessary resources we need as a community to grow and prosper.

Rob Miyashiro:

Vote early! This election is a chance to stand up for the things that matter to you: accessible health care, quality education, and more affordable lives. Together, we can build a brighter future for Lethbridge and Alberta. Advanced polls are open from December 10-14th, and I’d be honoured to have your support. Let’s do this for Lethbridge, for Alberta, and for all of us.

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