Lethbridge mayor delivers 2024 State of the City address

Regarding concerns about local water supply, Hyggen said although limited precipitation in 2023 has resulted in lower water reserves, “We can assure residents there is no current danger of running out of drinking water in Lethbridge.”

“We do, however, recognize that the water levels are much lower than what we would typically see.”

He said administration and council will be discussing other measures that could help to conserve water.

Touching on policing, Hyggen said the city’s CSI figure saw a decrease in 2022 from 2021.

The statistics released in 2023 showed that Lethbridge had the third highest CSI in the country in 2022. Lethbridge had topped the list in 2021.

Hyggen remarked that Lethbridge has its challenges as it relates to crime, but “We most certainly have a beautiful and safe community here in Lethbridge.”

“I look at our police service and the work that they do, and I want to make sure that I give a shout-out to each and every one of them because it’s obviously not easy. We’ll always advocate for the resources that we need, but one thing to remember: council does not direct the Lethbridge Police Service [LPS]. That is the role of the [Lethbridge] Police Commission.”

The mayor said, “The City has the role of ensuring a clean and safe community, facilitating partnerships and navigating other orders of government for these services.”

When discussing the work of the LPS, Hyggen brought up the drug crisis in Lethbridge. He said, “The City is one partner in the response as we work to support the provincial government and agencies to provide the programs and services related to addictions and mental health here in our community.”

Lethbridge mayor Blaine Hyggen speaking with media members following his State of the City address on January 18, 2024. (Photo: LNN)

Hyggen also highlighted the importance of the work of the Intergovernmental Health Table and the Downtown Lawlessness Reduction Task Force in addressing crime and drug issues in the city.

The topic of encampments and shelter space was in focus as part of Hyggen’s address.

The mayor said, “We’re the first [city] in Alberta to have a coordinated encampment strategy, which has had a major impact.”

PHYSICIAN RECRUITMENT AND RETENTION

During his address, Hyggen addressed concerns of physician shortages in the community. He reported that in 2023, 43 physicians were recruited to the city, 23 of whom are family physicians.

The mayor said, “Of those, nine have not yet commenced [practicing] in Lethbridge but will shortly. We currently have three full-time OBGYNs, which we knew was a large concern, up from one a year ago, with five others who have now signed contracts and will be commencing in 2024 and 2025.”

Hyggen added that representatives plan to be at the Universities of Calgary and Alberta at the end of February to recruit medical students “to come and do rotations down here and consider setting up practice when they complete their training.”

“A healthy and thriving community has to include a strong base of family doctors. Liaising with our partners and promoting Lethbridge is highly important.”

The mayor also gave an overview of the Brighter Together Survey from Economic Development Lethbridge, which gathered feedback from local businesses to get a glimpse of some of the challenges they face operating in the city.

POST-SECONDARY INSTITUTIONS

Hyggen spoke on work between regional partners and post-secondary institutions like the University of Lethbridge (U of L).

He noted, “The City and University of Lethbridge are working on a possible MOU [Memorandum of Understanding] to better co-operate and collaborate and be more intentional and strategic when working together.”

“Mayor and councillors have met with University president Digvir Jayas and other senior administrators on several occasions about a proposed rural medical program at the University of Lethbridge, delivered in partnership with the University of Calgary,” Hyggen said.

“Such a program would make an incredible impact in increasing the number of physicians practicing in Lethbridge and in southern Alberta.”

Hyggen also praised the work being done at Lethbridge College.

“Police cadet training continues to be a great partnership. The most recent class graduated September 15 [2023], with cadets from LPS, Taber Police Service and Blood Tribe Police walking the stage.”

Hyggen gave a mention to college students who participated in a multi-agency training scenario at the Lethbridge Courthouse in October, as well as the school landing in 11^th place in the 2023 Research Infosource ranking of Canada’s top 50 research colleges.

On the theme of partnership, he was happy to see both post-secondaries host a pancake breakfast to mark the start of the 2023-24 academic year in August.

Hyggen added that working together will help in efforts to ensure graduating students decide to stay in Lethbridge once they have completed their studies.

CELEBRATING SUCCESSES

Hyggen highlighted the two Community Conversation events hosted by the City of Lethbridge in 2023.

He said at the first in January, over 650 people attended, with the second, held in October, seeing lower attendance but still proving to be a success.

Hyggen included the signing of the Buffalo Treaty, the launch of the new City of Lethbridge website and the installation of water fountains at four parks as successes for the past year.

Additional successes highlighted by Hyggen Thursday morning included:

The Fee Assistance Program
Funding for film and television productions in the province and local area
- READ MORE: Alberta announces more funding for film and TV production
The opening of new pickleball courts at Legacy Park
The introduction of Community Play Boxes
Funding granted to add a fenced dog run at the Lethbridge Animal Shelter
New emergency protocols announced to address any issues on Whoop-Up Drive
The Mayor’s Community BBQ, held in August as part of the Whoop-Up Days kick-off
Adjustment of snow clearing practices, following citizen feedback and City Council approval
The harmonization of school and playground zones
The start of the multi-year Residential Speed Limit Pilot Project
The opening of the new Organics Processing Facility

DOWNTOWN LETHBRIDGE

Hyggen said according to the Downtown Lethbridge BRZ, as of October, there were 23 businesses that either opened or expanded operations during 2023 in the downtown area of the city. He thanked businesses impacted by the 7^th Street South construction project over the summer.

The mayor said Festival Square had a successful 2023, with 73 events being held in the space.

LETHBRIDGE AIRPORT & TRANSIT

Hyggen said ongoing discussions will occur with Flair Airlines. Flair had originally partnered with the City of Lethbridge to offer flight service to Tucson, Arizona, before plans were put on pause.

Despite that setback, the mayor showed optimism.

He said, “We’re in a really good position to continue conversations with Flair and other carriers around future new route possibilities at the Lethbridge Airport.”

Regarding Lethbridge Transit, Hyggen said, “Administration is to draft a bylaw to move forward with creating a transit citizen and customer advisory committee for review at a governance standing policy committee [meeting] in Q4 this year.”

FINANCES

Hyggen spoke about the city’s current economic conditions and taxes.

Following his address, he said to media members, “After having the discussions that we had last November, we got to really tighten the purse strings.”

He added, “There’s many projects with inflation and everything going the way that it is, we definitely have to tighten down on spending and look for more efficient ways to do business. It’s tough coming out of COVID and with the different changes and stuff that’s happened and the interest rates, but we try to do our best with what we’ve got.”

LETHBRIDGE CHAMBER RESPONSE

Cyndi Bester, CEO of the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce, was beaming following the Thursday morning event. She said over 200 people attended.

Bester stated, “It’s our largest turnout that we’ve had to date.”

She continued, “I think that speaks volumes to the voice of business and what we want to see, what we want to hear and how we want to interact with our municipal government.”

Bester said events like the State of the City are important to keep local businesses informed on what is happening in the community they serve.

It was a packed house as Lethbridge mayor Blaine Hyggen delivered his State of the City address on January 18, 2024. (Photo: LNN)

Hyggen concluded with similar sentiments.

He said, “You talk to many different businesses, and they may hear things out in the community, and you know what, sometimes perception isn’t reality. I did speak a little bit about the Brighter Together Survey and some things – misconceptions that are out in the community.”

“So having an event like this, where business leaders and those that drive our economy here within the city, can hear about what reality is, and [hear] some of the data that we have from the City [of Lethbridge] that shows how some of the perceptions are really not reality, it’s great.”

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by Justin Goulet

Lethbridge mayor delivers 2024 State of the City address

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