I want to start by thanking everyone who reached out with their kind words and words of support and encouragement. It’s been very much appreciated.
Several of you have asked the same question: What happened and what’s next? So, I’m here to address that.
Yesterday I brought forward the motion below, cosponsored by Councillor Crowson, Mayor Hyggen, and Councillor Doria.
Councillor Wolfe put forward a motion to refer this to the October 20, 2026, Community Issues Committee (CIC), because he had concerns about the motion, its timing, and wants to give the public an opportunity to speak to the motion. He is certainly within his rights to do that. As such, a majority of Council: Mayor Hyggen, Councillors Campbell, Wolfe, Beeber, and Doria voted to refer the motion to the CIC.
As I respect Council’s decision, I look forward to seeing members of our community at next week’s CIC (Tuesday, October 20, 1:30pm, https://www.lethbridge.ca/council-administration-governance/agendas-minutes-and-council-meetings/), and hearing feedback on this motion.
At that time, the motion will be considered and may or may not be forwarded on as a recommendation from Committee to be voted on by Council at the November 10, 2026, Council meeting.
As I stated during yesterday’s meeting:
As municipal leaders we are elected to govern Lethbridge and advocate for our city’s interests. That is the intent of bringing this motion forward.
Municipal councils regularly take positions on matters that fall under provincial or federal jurisdiction when those matters have significant consequences for the community they represent. We advocate on provincial infrastructure funding, health care, policing, bail reform, housing, transportation, and federal funding programs. Just last week we advocated to the provincial and federal governments for funding of the water and wastewater treatment plants.
We do this because decisions made by other orders of government can directly affect Lethbridge residents, City finances, and our ability to deliver services.
The City’s own advocacy framework specifically recognizes Council’s role in advocating to provincial and federal governments, municipal organizations, and the public on issues that affect Lethbridge.
As the author of this motion, its purpose is to outline Lethbridge’s municipal interests when it comes to economic development, investment, infrastructure funding, City finances, service delivery and our relationships with other orders of government. This is about being clear about the issues that could directly affect our city, and the services residents rely on.
I encourage everyone to get out and vote in the 2026 Alberta Referendum. Advance Voting Days run October 13 – 17, and Election Day is October 19. Visit https://www.elections.ab.ca/ for information on where to vote and what identification you need to take along.
VOTE!