Listening to Lethbridge Insights from resident & business surveys

Today, the City’s Economic & Finance Standing Policy Committee (SPC) heard the results from three recent surveys aimed at gathering feedback from residents and businesses in Lethbridge. These included the annual online business survey conducted by the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce and the City’s 2025 Business and Community Satisfaction Surveys. 

“The results we heard today are incredibly valuable,” says Mayor Blaine Hyggen, Chair of the Economic & Finance SPC. “This is data we can use to help inform a whole host of decisions as we move forward with this Council term.”

Chamber of Commerce – Business & Community Issues Survey
The Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce conducts an annual online survey of their members to gather insight into what matters most to them. A positive 79 per cent of respondents are optimistic about the health of their business. Their top municipal issues included business tax, utilities, community safety/social issues and attraction and retention of skilled labour. 

“The insights gathered through this year’s business survey give us a clear picture of what matters most to employers in our city,” says Cyndi Crane, CEO of the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce. “With strong optimism across our membership and a shared commitment to improving the business climate, the Chamber is dedicated to championing solutions that support sustainable growth and a prosperous future for Lethbridge.”  

2025 Business Survey
Deloitte LLP was contracted by the City to complete a survey that would assess local business climate, challenges and growth priorities. Through a combination of email invitations and telephone interviewing, 152 surveys were completed in July of this year, which statistically represents the business community in the region. 

Results show a high level of satisfaction with Lethbridge as a place to own/operate a business with 86 per cent reporting they are somewhat or very satisfied. When it comes to factors related to doing business in Lethbridge, respondents were most satisfied with the availability of facilities for events (83 per cent) and least satisfied with property taxes (42 per cent). 

2025 Community Satisfaction Survey
In the summer of 2025, the City contracted Forum Research Inc. to conduct a statistically valid telephone survey of Lethbridge residents. The full report is available on the City website.

The vast majority (90 per cent) rate the quality of life in Lethbridge as good or very good. This is consistent with the last survey conducted in 2022. 

Lethbridge saw 75 per cent of respondents somewhat or very satisfied with City services, which ranks above the average 65 per cent rating for Alberta municipalities. Respondents were most satisfied with safety and emergency services at 92 per cent with public transit having room for improvement at 64 per cent satisfaction. 

When it comes to balancing taxation with service delivery, the community is nearly split in their viewpoint. Forty-four per cent preferring no tax increase, even if it means cutting services, while 39 per cent favour maintaining the current service levels despite higher taxes. Just 17 per cent supported adding new services even if taxes increased. 

Providing these multiple data sets helps create a robust overview of opinions from many stakeholders across Lethbridge. This information will also feed into some important next steps which include:

• Collaboration with the business community in building Council’s Economic Development Strategy
• Continued partnership with the Chamber of Commerce and industry partners
•  Development of the Community Attraction and Retention strategy

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