Lethbridge/Saint-Laurent Senior Exchange 2023

Saint-Laurent, Quebec, is the official twin city of Lethbridge.

The two communities entered a formal city-to-city twinning arrangement in 1967 as part of a Canadian Centennial project to promote cultural and social relationships between Eastern and Western Canada. Exchanges occur annually, alternately involving seniors and students.

In 2023, the City of Lethbridge and the Borough of Saint-Laurent will be hosting an exchange for citizens 55 years and older.

Details of the exchange:

• The exchange begins with the Saint-Laurent delegation traveling to Lethbridge from July 26-31, 2023, and is then followed by the Lethbridge delegation travelling to Saint-Laurent from August 30-September 4, 2023
• Participants are matched, or twinned, based on their common interests. Visitors stay at their twin's home for five nights
• During each of these weeks, group activities are organized to provide the visitors with an opportunity to get to know one another and discover their regions. The program consists of both organized activities and free time. When no group activities are planned, the participants are entertained by their twin. Two days of free time are scheduled during each stay
• The costs associated with the exchange, such as airplane tickets, public transportation, touring activities and meals during group excursions, are covered by the municipalities
• Knowledge of French is not necessary for this exchange
• One employee and two elected officials from the City of Lethbridge accompany the participants to Quebec and can be reached at any time in case of emergency

To be eligible, you must be: 

• A resident of Lethbridge
• 55 years of age or older, as of June 2023
• Able to participate in scheduled activities that may involve walking in excess of 5,000 steps per day
• Willing to represent yourself as an Ambassador for the City of Lethbridge
• Able to yourself pass the required criminal background check, as well as any other resident in your home over the age of 18
• Willing, and have the facilities (private bedroom), to host an individual (or couple) in your home for the duration of the exchange
• Willing to stay in the home of your twin while vising Saint-Laurent for the duration of the exchange

Thank you for your interest in the 2023 Lethbridge/Saint Laurent Senior Exchange. The application period has closed. We thank all those who applied. Only those selected to participate, will be contacted in the upcoming weeks with further information.