June 2026 Mayor's Column

Between all the budget deliberations, tax conversations and everything else going on, I want to open this month’s column with the most important news for me right now: I’m a grandpa again!

On Monday, my daughter gave birth to her daughter, Margot. I’m happy to report that mom and baby are healthy and happy. And I could not be happier to be a grandfather for the second time.

And while one of Lethbridge’s newest residents may not understand what impact the City of Lethbridge 2027 Operating Budget will have on the community, everyone else will soon.

On Wednesday, Lethbridge City Council met as Community Issue Committee (CIC) to begin and complete deliberations for its 2027 Operating Budget. Recommendations from these deliberations will be forwarded to City Council for potential approval at the June 23 Council meeting.

I want to commend our City Administration for proposing more than 40 budget reduction items to help keep future costs under control. We’ve heard loud and clear out in the community to focus on our needs, rather than all the wants.

Lethbridge taxpayers will be looking at a 2.67 per cent increase to the Municipal portion of their property taxes in 2027, if the recommended budget reductions are approved by Council.

The Municipal average increase for the last eight years was 2.8 per cent per year. The 2027 proposed increase will be below that and yet still account for inflationary factors.

Here is the full recap of the 2027 Operating Budget deliberations.

Moving back to the current year, June is of course tax season, and our residents would have recently received their 2026 tax notice. They may be wondering what changes have impacted their property taxes this year.

Between the City of Lethbridge Municipal Property Tax, the Provincial Education Property Tax, as well as the Green Acres Foundation tax, Lethbridge residential property owners are looking at a $267 property tax increase (for the average single-family residential property) in 2026.  On 2026 tax notices, based on an in-house modification, the City has aimed to improve clarity by distinguishing between Municipal levies (Property Tax to the City) and requisition amounts (Property Tax to the Province and Property Tax to Green Acres). 

In this release – Explaining property tax, assessment changes for 2026 – our team aims to answer some of the common questions including: Why has my assessment gone up? Where does my tax dollar go?

Lethbridge residents may also be questioning how their dollar stacks up versus other communities across the province. To further help dispel some myths we often hear, our team has also put together a graphic and release earlier this week.

The City’s latest cost of living comparison looks at Alberta’s 23 largest municipalities for: Annual property tax on median value single-family home; Median cost of a single-family home; and Annual residential combined utility charges.

All the data cited in the first two charts has been compiled from provincially reported municipal data and publicly available municipal tax rates. The chart’s numbers for each municipality include Municipal Property Tax, the Provincial Education Property Tax, as well as other requisitions, which in Lethbridge is the Green Acres Foundation requisition.

One of the most frequent comments we hear is that Lethbridge has the highest property taxes in Alberta. Is that true? No. Lethbridge’s median tax on a single-family home is $4,190.38, while Alberta’s highest median is $5,638.03.

The one-page graphic also includes a chart showing the annual municipal tax increases for the past 20 years for comparison purposes.

You may be wondering where you can find more information on taxes in Lethbridge?

• Updated Taxes 101 video on the City’s website
• View your property tax history at Lethbridge.ca/MyCity
• A further breakdown of services and tax support is detailed in the 2026 tax brochure (included with your tax notice)
• Comprehensive information on property taxes

Switching gears – on June 30, MP Rachael Thomas, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) office and myself will be hosting a citizenship ceremony at City Hall. More than 60 people will be taking their oath in Council Chamber that morning and then will be celebrating their first Canada Day as Canadian citizens the next day. 

On that note, for those who did not see my May 22 statement to local media regarding Alberta’s October referendum, here it is again: “As Mayor of Lethbridge, I believe Alberta’s future is strongest as a contributing province within a united Canada. Lethbridge thrives when Alberta and Canada work together.”

I’m very excited for local Canada Day celebrations, as plans are nearing completion for a big July 1 party! The City of Lethbridge and Lethbridge & District Exhibition (LDE) have again partnered to host the community celebration of Canada’s 159th birthday. For a full list of vendors, events and updated schedules, visit lethbridge.ca/canadaday. 

As we are about to officially enter the summer season on June 21, there are of course a whole host of events coming up in addition to Canada Day. Check all the local listings options to find out what’s going on! 

I hope everyone has a healthy and happy summer. As always, please be safe and kind to one another.