April 2026 Mayor's Column

During the past few weeks, I’ve received many inquiries regarding the future of Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in our community.

The City of Lethbridge is facing a significant and evolving decision, as Emergency Health Services (EHS) - Alberta has introduced new contract conditions that could fundamentally change how EMS is delivered locally, including the potential loss of Lethbridge’s long‑standing integrated Fire & Emergency Services model.

We strongly support the incredible service provided through the current integrated model of emergency response in Lethbridge. I also want to express my sincere thanks to the dedicated members of our Fire and EMS for the work they do each day to keep our community safe. Your professionalism, compassion and commitment do not go unnoticed.

With limited information available and important financial and service impacts to consider, the City is working to gather the facts needed to support informed, transparent decision‑making. This is a complex issue, and I want to ensure our community receives accurate and timely updates as information becomes available. To help keep everyone informed, updates will be posted regularly on Get Involved Lethbridge page here: https://getinvolvedlethbridge.ca/ems-contract.

Thank you for staying engaged and informed.

At this week’s Community Issues Committee (CIC) meeting, we provided details on our this term’s City Council Strategic Plan. It sets and communicates direction, aligns decision-making and demonstrates measurable progress and accountability across the organization and to the community. It informs governance, policy decisions and advocacy efforts, recognizing that all levels of government play a role in creating a prosperous community.

The plan is committed to supporting existing businesses, attracting investment and strengthening Lethbridge’s role as a regional hub for agriculture, agrifood, advanced manufacturing, trade, logistics and emerging industries. By aligning municipal systems, infrastructure and processes with strong partnerships, City Council will continue to position Lethbridge as a place where people and businesses can succeed. This plan also affirms Council’s responsibility to foster safe, healthy and welcoming neighbourhoods, support arts, culture, recreation and tourism, and guide growth through intentional planning and design.

Also at the CIC meeting, we heard a full update on the Wastewater Treatment Plant Asset Management Plan. It outlines the current condition risks and future investment requirements of the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP), identifying it as critical infrastructure that is increasingly constrained by aging assets, limited redundancy and capacity pressures.

The plant is currently operating at or above its engineered capacity under typical conditions, limiting the City’s ability to support population and industrial growth. The plan highlights that investment is required to maintain regulatory compliance, protect public health and the environment, and ensure reliable wastewater service delivery, while positioning the City to support continued economic and community growth. Read the full news release here. Updates on future WWTP upgrades and expansions can be found on the Get Involved Lethbridge page.

Council was recently pleased to support $33,000 from the Major Community Event Grant budget for the 2026 Tae Kwon-Do International World Cup. More than 600 participants from more than 20 countries will be coming to Lethbridge this summer for the event, which is scheduled to take place at the Lethbridge Trade and Convention Centre on July 4–5 and will be hosted by Legacy Tae Kwon-Do Schools and United Traditional Tae Kwon-Do Canada.

Lethbridge has a rich history related to martial arts, so we look forward to adding to that legacy by hosting people from all around the world here this July. Our Council’s financial decisions often come down to needs vs. wants. This event is anticipated to have significant social and economic impact on the community, making it a great opportunity. Read more here.

There is also plenty of baseball news to share. This spring, the love of the game will be front and centre when Lethbridge hosts the Canadian Grand Slam of Baseball Showcase & Festival from May 21-31. This 10-day celebration will bring the community together to see elite youth, academy, collegiate and summer league competition in one unforgettable event. Blue Jays great Kevin Pillar will be the guest speaker at the Canadian Baseball Legends Gala on May 27. Read more here.

Our annual spring residential street sweeping program began this week, with sweepers set to pass through each neighbourhood to clean up debris that has settled since last year.

Signs will be visible to alert motorists of soon-to-be-swept areas, but residents can also get automatic and timely reminders for your address 24 hours before sweeping starts on your street by using use one of these options:

• Download the free Lethbridge Loop smartphone app. With the app, you will also receive notifications for snow routes, planned power outages and you will have the option to set up waste cart collection reminders.
• Type in your address on this page to see your sweeping day on the calendar and/or sign up to be notified by email, phone, or add to your calendar. Schedule may be delayed due to weather, so please confirm closer to your sweeping date.

Our Transportation Operations team has been using an asphalt recycling machine to produce hot asphalt to help fix potholes and smaller utility patches during the warmer winter weather, but pothole repair season will soon be fully underway.

Residents and motorists in Lethbridge are encouraged to report potholes to 311. This can be done by calling 311 during business hours or by visiting the City’s website. Priority is given to potholes that present a hazard in the driving lanes of busy streets. Some potholes on side streets may take longer to fill because of their location on the road or because traffic is typically slower and lighter in those areas.

What else is going on?

• On behalf of City Council, I was pleased to attend the grand opening of the Blood Tribe Iitakamotsiipiohsopi Recovery Community (BTIRC) near Cardston. As the first Indigenous-led recovery community in Alberta to welcome clients, this facility marks a transformative shift to providing Albertans a full continuum of recovery-oriented care woven with Siksikaitsitapi teachings and community-based healing. Operated by the Blood Tribe Department of Health, the BTIRC provides 75 long-term treatment beds.
• National Public Safety Telecommunicators Week, a time dedicated to recognizing the invaluable contributions of Emergency Communications Officers across the country. These professionals, often the first point of contact in critical situations, play a pivotal role in the safety and well-being of our community.
• A huge congratulations to our neighbours in Taber on being crowned Kraft Hockeyville 2026! This incredible achievement reflects your community’s passion, pride and love for the game. Thank you to everyone who voted, rallied support and shared your story. From all of us in Lethbridge, we couldn’t be prouder. Well done, Taber! I’m looking forward to Saturday as the opening of the NHL playoffs – and go Oilers go!
• The Lethbridge Sports Hall of Fame, who are preparing to host the 2026 Banquet and Induction Ceremony at the Lethbridge & District Exhibition Agri-food Hub on Friday, May 8. Thank you to the LSHOF for their phenomenal efforts toward preserving the legacy of sport in our city. As I have said before, for a city our size we have produced an incredible number of amazing athletes, coaches, builders, volunteers and Olympians.

As always, please be safe and kind to one another.