Council Advocacy

Our Goal:

Phase 1: Secure $88 million in funding to increase the capacity of the City’s Wastewater Treatment Plant by 6 ML/day (to 45 ML/day from 39 ML/day).
Phase 2: Secure additional $71 million to increase capacity by a further 15 ML/day (to 60 ML/day from 45 ML/day).

The Facts:

• On peak days the wastewater demand exceeds 90% of the current design capacity of the system.
• The City is limited in pursuing economic development opportunities by the lack of capacity at the plant to support future growth.
• Opportunities in the agri-food sector have exceptionally high demands for wastewater.
• The City’s wastewater system supports regional economic growth with 20% of the wastewater received at the plant coming from regional partners.

Our Goal:

Phase 1: Secure $123 million in funding to increase the capacity of the City’s Water Treatment Plant by 30 ML/day (to 180 ML/day).
Phase 2: Secure additional $190 million in funding to increase capacity by a further 70 ML/day (to 250 ML/day from 180 ML/day).

The Facts:

• On peak days, water demand exceeds 90% of the current design capacity of the system.
• The City is limited in pursuing economic development opportunities by the lack of capacity at the plant to support future growth.
• Opportunities in the agri-food sector have exceptionally high demands for water.
• The City’s water system supports regional economic growth with 20% of our treated water going to regional partners.

Our Goal:

Lethbridge is experiencing a shortage of family physicians, nurses and paramedics leaving many residents unattached to a physician and limiting their access to primary care. We recognize this need and the pressure it puts on other healthcare resources as residents seek the care they need. At the City of Lethbridge, we are supporting the work being done by AHS South Zone and their allied partners, such as the Chinook Primary Care Network.  

The Facts:

• In 2021, there were approximately 25,000 – 30,000 Lethbridge residents who were without a family doctor.
• Lethbridge City Council approved a physician shortage action plan, which provides a response to Lethbridge residents who may be without a family physician in Lethbridge.
• The City is participating on the Southern Alberta Medical Program (SAMP) Working Group that is working to build the framework to train physicians locally.

Our Goal:

To ensure that the community of Lethbridge has a safe dry/sober (high-barrier) shelter option to support those experiencing homelessness who wish to separate themselves from other shelter users who are acutely intoxicated.

The Facts:

• Based on recent Point-in-Time Counts, there is a shortage of approximately 170 shelter beds in Lethbridge.
• There are currently limited opportunities for women and children experiencing homelessness to stay in a dry/sober (high barrier) shelter, and no options for men.
• Lethbridge City Council recently approved a Shelter Development Strategy which provides a strategic, long-term response to sheltering residents in need and those who are difficult to house.
• Capital funding, operational funding, and shelter operations are the primary responsibility of the Province of Alberta.

Our Goal:

Seek additional capital and operational funding towards the development of additional supportive housing units in Lethbridge with appropriate supports for high acuity individuals and needs.

The Facts:

• The housing continuum in Lethbridge has critical gaps, the most dire being shortages of capacity and options for emergency shelter and supportive housing.
• Increased investment in supportive housing can support individuals with the highest needs with a pathway out of homelessness and emergency shelters.
• Investing in supportive housing produces a return on investment by reducing the use of emergency services.

Our Goal:

To seek an increase of capital grant funding through the Local Government Fiscal Framework provincial grant program.

The Facts:

• The City of Lethbridge continues to face budget pressures for capital investment in the community. The City of Lethbridge’s current 10-year capital plan includes approximately $259M of unfunded capital expenditures. This includes projects such as Electric Buses, Fire Station #3, Transit Terminals, Performing Arts Centre, and an Ice Arena replacement, etc.
• The City of Lethbridge will also need to advance projects for its Water and Wastewater system expansion and upgrades. These upgrades will allow Lethbridge to address increasing water and wastewater demands. Phase 1 of the Water and Wastewater system expansion is estimated to cost $211M. It is also anticipated that there would be additional phases for this project.
• The 2012-2021 average MSI funding for Lethbridge has been approximately $21,168,000 which would mean that with a 37% decrease, the city would receive approximately $13,300,000 starting in 2024. The reduction in funding could result in the City of Lethbridge deferring, borrowing or increasing taxation to fund future capital projects.
• The City of Lethbridge has limited fiscal capacity to generate the revenue needed to maintain existing infrastructure as well as build new infrastructure to support community growth.

Our Goal:

To secure up to $25 million in funding (grants) to extend the Lethbridge Airport Runway by 670 metres (2200 feet) to accommodate fully-loaded Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft with a 189-passenger capacity.

The Facts:

• Most low-cost carriers use B737-Max 8 aircraft which require a runway with a minimum length of 2,440 m (8,000 ft) for takeoff and landing when fully loaded. The existing runway at the Airport is only 1,980 m (6,500 ft) and cannot accommodate these aircraft when fully loaded.
• The existing length of this main runway restricts the Lethbridge Airport from attracting additional air passenger and air freight carriers to the city.
• The Lethbridge Airport plays an important role in regional economic development and is critical to the success of the agri-food corridor.

Our Goal:

To secure up to $25 million in funding (grants) to expand the Lethbridge Airport Terminal to accommodate Boeing 737 Max 8 aircraft with a 189-passenger capacity.

The Facts:

• Most low-cost carriers use B737-Max 8 aircraft with a passenger capacity of 189 people. Our current airport terminal can accommodate only 50% of this capacity.
• The existing capacity of the terminal restricts the Lethbridge Airport from attracting additional commercial airlines to the city.
• The Lethbridge Airport plays an important role in regional economic development and is critical to the success of the agri-food corridor.

Our Goal:

Seek additional funding and/or resources for addressing issues arising from increased social disorder in public spaces.

The Facts:

• The City of Lethbridge believes in supporting a clean and safe environment for all community members in all public spaces.
• Programs aimed at preventing and/or addressing cleanliness or safety concerns support our community’s economy.
• The operational capacity of existing programs (provincially and/or municipally-funded) aimed at addressing cleanliness or safety concerns is often insufficient to meet high demand for such services.

Our Goal:

Have the Province of Alberta replace the existing 2-lane eastbound Highway 3 bridge over the Oldman River with a 4-lane bridge (to enable 3-lane divided traffic in each direction) and improve the interchanges at Highway 3 and Bridge Drive.

The Facts:

• Highway 3 is owned and maintained by the Province of Alberta and we urge them to act upon the recommendations in the 2009 AECOM report commissioned by Alberta Transportation.
• In addition to serving Lethbridge and regional commuters as well as other travelers, the Highway 3 bridge corridor is a vital component of the Alberta Agri-food corridor.
• The frequency of collisions along the Highway 3 bridge corridor is more than double the frequency along the Whoop-Up Drive crossing.
• Highway 3 is a key connector in case of emergencies on the west side of Lethbridge.
• Implementing the improvements from the 2009 AECOM report will also improve safety and access for pedestrians and cyclists.

Our Goal:

To extend and secure provincial funding for low-income transit passes.

The Facts:

• Low-income transit funding helps to support affordable and accessible transit, helping individuals and families improve their quality of life through better access to participate in their communities, making it easier to get around the city to access jobs, education, health care, community resources and government services.
• As affordability continues to impact an increasing number of residents, the pressure on municipal taxation to sustain a low-income transit pass program will be stretched without an ongoing funding commitment from the Province of Alberta.