Ryan Mennie has announced his bid to become mayor of Lethbridge. (Photo: Ryan Mennie)

By David Opinko

Ryan Mennie running for mayor of Lethbridge

Sep 22, 2025 | 10:17 AM

A now-former candidate for Lethbridge City Council says he wants to run for mayor instead.

Ryan Mennie announced his run for mayor in the 2025 municipal elections on Sept. 22.

He says he has been door-knocking since May and has spoken to thousands of residents and businesses.

Mennie told LNN that he got a good sense of the challenges, especially financially, that many have been facing.

He adds that he many residents were not satisfied with the crop of mayoral candidates.

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“I was watching some of the other candidates that were stepping forward leading up to the election, and I saw that there really was no strong, experienced alternative [to incumbent Blaine Hyggen],” says Mennie.

Mennie believes that he has the right set of qualifications and professional experience to be the city’s next mayor.

He was formerly a city councillor in Campbell River, B.C., for two terms, and says he played a key role in helping to turn its economy around after the forestry industry collapsed. The pulp mill and sawmill had closed, and many residents had lost their jobs.

“Lethbridge is feeling like Campbell River did back in 2008, and I have the school of hard knocks training to help with that.”

Mennie says one of his top priorities, if elected, includes putting an end to unsustainable increases in property taxes.

He says property values have gone up significantly in recent years. Combined with annual property tax hikes of 5.1 per cent for each year in the 2023-2026 budget cycle, Mennie says that has created an affordability crisis in the community.

READ MORE: City of Lethbridge approves 5.1% property tax increase

Mennie wants to build a third bridge across the coulees, believing that this is a top priority for many residents, especially those who live on the west side.

He says he will also prioritize public safety, community vibrancy, and support local businesses.

The 2025 municipal elections take place October 8-20, 2025. More coverage of the 2025 Municipal Election is available here.

You can learn more about Mennie and his campaign in the article linked below.

READ MORE: Ryan Mennie running for Lethbridge City Council