Council Update for April 14/26, covering activities during the period of March 13 – April 3, 2026.

Yesterday, The Canadian Chamber of Commerce Business Data Lab released a report: Which Canadian Cities Are Most Exposed to Trump’s Tariffs?

Lethbridge is ranked 10th out of 41 in terms of potential U.S. tariff exposure.

Does this concern you? It concerns me.

I’m happy to share that at the same time The Canadian Chamber released its report, Lethbridge City Council passed a motion to support our local businesses and economy, and will:

• Send a letter to the Federal and Provincial governments reminding them of the impacts of the proposed tariffs on the Lethbridge and Southern Alberta markets (highlighting the importance of Agriculture and Manufacturing), as well as advocating for the reduction of inter-provincial trade barriers.
• Invite the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce, Economic Development Lethbridge, manufacturing groups and any employers to participate in a dialogue at a future Economic & Finance Standing Policy Committee meeting.
• Advocate to American partners on the future negative financial impacts on both countries of the proposed tariffs.
• Encourage the community and other stakeholders to continue to work together to buy local, and support our local economies.

There’s still work to be done, but it’s a start.

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At Tuesday’s City Council meeting, Council approved 4 proposed housing projects on the city’s southside. It was not an easy decision, and as these projects were met with some community opposition at the December public hearings, I wanted to take a moment to more fully explain why I supported these projects.

We need to ensure we are offering a space for everyone who lives here to belong. That includes offering a wide range of housing options, as well as developing and retaining our local workforce. Housing and workforce development are key to our city’s economic viability.

These 4 projects will see an additional 153 – 159 homes added to our local housing inventory, they may also include opportunity for the development of 6 businesses.

One of the things I learned at a recent Economic Development Board meeting, during a presentation on the DestinationNEXT survey done by Tourism Lethbridge, is that workforce development in our local tourism industry is challenged because of a lack of housing for workers in those businesses that are foundational to the industry. How do we grow our local economy and industries if we have no where for people to live?

According to CMHC, as of October 2024, the rental vacancy rate in Lethbridge was reported at 0.6%. This represents a significant decrease from the 2.1% vacancy rate reported in October 2023.

The decline in vacancy rates has been accompanied by notable increases in rental prices. In 2024, Lethbridge experienced a 26% rise in average rent, marking the fourth-largest increase among Alberta municipalities. Specifically, as of December 2024, a typical one-bedroom unit rented for an average of $1,366 per month, reflecting a 14.5% increase over the past year, while two-bedroom units averaged $1,529 per month, an 8.6% increase. These trends indicate a tightening rental market in Lethbridge, with decreasing vacancy rates and rising rental costs.

According to an Action Canada paper, “For one in three Canadians, ‘home’ belongs to someone else and renting may be the only option,” and the Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce’s policy, “A Pathway to Fixing the Affordable Housing Crisis in Alberta” outlines that “Housing is an integral part of economic growth. The connections between affordable housing investment and economic growth have been well recognized in literature. And yet investment in affordable housing has been insufficient to meet demands. To ensure long-term community sustainability, local and regional economic development and growth plans must consider the role of affordable housing in the growing economy.”

Approving these projects also has a direct impact on our tax base. In reviewing the Targeted Redevelopment Incentive submissions, 3 of these projects could generate an estimated $3.46M in additional tax revenues over 20 years. This doesn’t consider the economic impact of the construction projects themselves, which would include construction spending, increased labour force employment, and the resulting labour force spending in our city.

Supporting these housing projects is a proactive step toward addressing our city’s housing challenges, supporting workforce development, and strengthening our local economy. While the decision was not without its challenges, increasing housing availability helps alleviate pressure on the rental market, attracts and retains a skilled workforce, and creates opportunities for economic growth. These projects represent an investment in the future of Lethbridge – a future where everyone has a place to call home and our economy thrives as a result.

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I was at an event at the Sandman Signature a few weeks ago, and as I was headed back to my car a lady approached me. She saw my nametag, and said, “Oh! You work here!” She was visiting our city for a convention, and wanted to share with me how amazing Lethbridge is. She commented on our beautiful green spaces, the river valley, the Galt Museum, our downtown, and how comfortable she felt exploring what we had to offer. She ended our conversation by stating: “I hope you’re all proud of what you have here, because you should be.”

We live in an extraordinary place, and I am proud of what we have here, as well as what we’re doing to be even better.

Last week I attended the Economic Development Lethbridge board meeting and learned more about the work of Tourism Lethbridge and the recently completed DestinationNEXT study.

DestinationNEXT helps a community determine its strengths, challenges, and opportunities to grow the visitor economy, which is a key part of our economic development and economic development opportunities.

The Lethbridge DestinationNEXT 2024 survey highlights our city’s immense potential as a dynamic tourism destination with strengths in:

• Outdoor recreation activities
• Sporting events
• Economic development
• Regional cooperation

The study places Lethbridge in the “Explorer” quadrant, reflecting opportunities to strengthen both destination appeal and community alignment. Stakeholders recognize our cultural and natural assets, advocating for enhanced infrastructure, diverse attractions, and inclusive practices to showcase Lethbridge as a welcoming and vibrant destination. Key priorities moving forward should look at include developing authentic visitor experiences, improving transportation and connectivity, and championing sustainability.

Collaboration and unified branding efforts are also emphasized as transformative steps forward, signalling optimism for the future. With stakeholders rallying behind these recommendations, Lethbridge is poised to unlock new levels of tourism success while enriching the lives of residents and visitors alike. Together, we can elevate our city into a thriving, must-visit destination.

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On January 8, I attended the province’s Water Availability Town Hall. It was a full house, with a panel that included Minister Rebecca Schulz, Minister of Environment and Protected Areas, and Taber-Warner MLA, Grant Hunter. It was outlined that this was an opportunity for the Government of Alberta to collect an initial base of ideas of what Albertans want and don’t want focussed on when it comes to water availability.

It was explained that out of these province-wide engagement sessions the provincial government will develop a list of what’s doable and then will enter a second round of engagement.

Stated at the outset was that the province is not:

• Eliminating 1^st in time and 1^st in right
• Looking at claw backs of allocation
• Favouring 1 industry over another
• Overhauling the Water for Life strategy

They are looking for ideas on how to increase efficiency and productivity, how to maximize water availability, how different water sources can be used, and changes in how effluent can be used and safely implemented.

Common themes out of the Lethbridge event included:

• Concerns around selenium and the Grassy Mountain coal mining project
• Looking at ways to store or transfer more water, including opportunities for off-stream and in-creek storage
• There’s not much more efficiency to be found in some areas of Southern Alberta
• How can we use our natural assets to retain water
• Drought resistant landscaping
• Reuse of water in larger municipalities
• Return flow credit for municipalities
• Government efficiency and red tape reduction for projects
• Solar and wing energy development options

The Water Availability Engagement has been extended until January 24, so there’s still time to have your say: https://www.alberta.ca/water-availability-engagement

Minister Schulz’s mandate letter can be found here.

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Yesterday I participated in an Election Awareness Campaign interview for Alberta Municipalities. The goal of the campaign is to help educate potential candidates on what running for and being part of a municipal council looks like. Once the video is out I’ll be sure to share it, but in the meantime here are the answers I prepared for the 8 questions I was asked. If you’re interested in running for Lethbridge City Council, visit https://www.lethbridge.ca/council-administration-governance/elections/ for more (and regularly updated) information, and I’m always happy to meet and discuss what my experience over these past 4 years has taught me. Feel free to contact me via this website, or email me at: jenn.schmidt-rempel@lethbridge.ca.

• What is 1 thing Albertans who are thinking of running for council should know about the job?
  • Understand the role, its responsibilities, and that it’s an investment of your time in your community.
  • Research the responsibilities of a municipal councillor, including what governance means, policy making, financial oversight, and community representation.
  • Be prepared to invest time in meeting prep, community events, and engaging with residents.
  • Familiarize yourself with legislation: read the Municipal Government Act (MGA), current council procedure bylaw, and understand what the different levels of government are responsible for.
  • Build yourself a strong support system of family, friends, and advisors who will help you navigate being in public office.

• What do you wish more Albertan’s knew about municipal elected officials?
  • We want less taxes too.
  • This is job that has evolved over the years, as have the expectations of residents, and it requires the same amount of commitment as any other profession.
  • This is a leadership job. We cannot direct staff in the daily operation of the city. This role is to work on the city’s short- and long-term direction to develop forward-thinking policies and projects that benefit current and future generations, and we do this based on the feedback and information we gather from residents, community organizations, and municipal staff, and it needs to be done within current budgetary constraints.

• What is the best part of serving on Council?
  • The people – the residents in our community, our community partners, my council colleagues, and our municipal staff. Getting to know what they want the future of our city to be and working towards that.
  • Seeing the tangible results of your decisions in local projects, policies, and programs that shape your community – for instance my work on childcare in our city – we’ll now see the need for childcare considered in land use development and in other areas of city planning.
  • Engaging in a wide range of issues, from urban planning and public safety to arts and economic development.
  • That there is no end to what you will learn.
  • Representing our city’s interests at regional, provincial, and national levels, while also working with these partners to find solutions to issues we have in common.
  • Knowing that I am working to contribute to the well-being and growth of this community.
  • Celebrating our successes – we have a lot to be proud of in Lethbridge and we need to take time to celebrate our successes.

• On average, how much time do you spend on council-related business?
  • My average month is around 150 hours – I spend anywhere between 20 – 53 hours/week on council-related work.
  • Put into perspective, a typical full-time job is 37.5 – 40/hours per week or 150 – 160 hours/per month.

• Can you walk me through a normal council meeting day for you?
  • Always coffee first.
  • I’ve generally done my meeting prep in the days (Friday – Monday) leading up to our Council meeting days (Tuesday – Thursday).
  • I’ll read the paper, check local media websites, look at the media alerts I’ve received, check social media, and check my email.
  • Then I’ll do another review of the agenda and my notes.
  • And then off to the City to join my colleagues for lunch before the meeting starts. Meetings can last anywhere from 1 hour – 13 hours.

• When not in a council or committee meeting, what other council responsibilities do you have?
  • Meeting prep – for council meetings, committee meetings, Police Commission meetings, resident meetings, you name it, it requires prep.
  • Background research – I believe its important to be doing your own research and learning about different issues – for instance homelessness – it’s important to educate yourself on what other communities are doing throughout the province, Canada and even worldwide – what’s worked for them, what hasn’t, where do we share common ground and what could we adopt here we haven’t yet considered. I also learn from the research of local experts.
  • Training and orientation – there are professional development opportunities available – for instance the Elected Official Education Program.
  • Budget information sessions – depending on where we’re at in the budget cycle.
  • Special meetings as called.
  • Other internal or external meetings with municipal staff or community partners, for instance Economic Development Lethbridge and Lethbridge Police Commission meetings.
  • Being the Council representative on different boards, committees, or commissions.
  • Seeking opportunities to become involved in and becoming involved in community service.
  • Meetings with residents and community partner organizations.
  • Conferences and intergovernmental meetings.
  • Answering correspondence – on email, social media platforms, phone calls, and text messages.
  • Public events, and public events in surrounding communities.
  • Advocacy efforts within the community, surrounding communities, and at the provincial and federal levels.

• How has becoming an elected official impacted your family?
  • Prior to being on council my spouse and I owned Lethbridge living magazine, and that made us active in our community – so my commitment to our residents and my community presence hasn’t changed from that perspective – I’m doing much of the same work I did in that position as I am with this one, and I have along history of public service in Lethbridge.
  • Sometimes I need to step away from family events or down time to address a resident’s concern or attend a meeting, and residents will occasionally approach me with a question while I’m out with friends or family – I appreciate that people are respectful, and I enjoy the engagement.

• Can you describe the importance of working as a team on council? What has this looked like for you?
  • If we’re not finding a way to work together (Council, administration, partner organizations, and partner organizations in the city working with each other) we’re not moving forward, and we will miss out on opportunities for economic development and growth.
  • I feel that this Council has worked well together – we bring varied backgrounds and viewpoints to the table and that leads to well-rounded discussion and decision making that reflects the needs of the community.
  • We share responsibility for complex issues and decision making, and working as a team fosters compromise and consensus-building, which is essential for creating policies that benefit our residents.
  • Working as a team also demonstrates a level of professionalism, and presents a stronger, more persuasive voice when advocating for our residents and city.

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On January 18, Economic Development Lethbridge, Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce, and Downtown BRZ released the results of their Brighter Together Business Survey. In its fifth year, this initiative seeks to have local businesses provide feedback about their current sentiments and overall business health. The survey results help anticipate and respond to current and future challenges in our area and help to highlight and articulate our comparative advantages as a city. Further, as most questions are consistent each year, it allows for inspection into trends and variables within the business community.

In a December Globe and Mail Op Ed by Todd Hirsch, he states that “Policy makers at every level need to facilitate entrepreneurship, encourage R&D spending, bolster education and simplify immigrant entry into the labour market. And if they need any practical ideas to get them started, they can refer to any of the thousands of policy papers put out by business councils and chambers of commerce.”

The Brighter Together Business Survey is one of these tools with practical ideas that informs my work on Council. Out of the results of this survey I can work with the survey partners to reach out to respondents and learn why they responded they way they did. It gives me an opportunity to learn and understand the sentiments of our local business community, and what work they need me to be doing for them.

2023 Brighter Together Business Survey highlights include:

• Optimism among local businesses and organizations remains high, as two-thirds of respondents (66%) expressed a favourable outlook for the next 6–12 months.
• 56% of businesses mentioned witnessing a moderate or substantial growth in their business over the past 12 months.
• Locational strengths were consistent with previous years, with quality of life selected again as the top attribute. Other attributes include proximity to complimentary industries and a collaborative environment.
• An increasing share of respondents indicate they are likely to focus on upskilling and staff training over the year ahead.
• There is an elevated focus on improving company productivity, with two-thirds of respondents (66%) highlighting this.
• Employers are more likely to maintain the status quo regarding their workforce, with a rising proportion of respondents indicating their head count will remain the same over the next 6–12 months.
• The most pressing obstacles are related to costs, with rising cost of inputs, rising interest rates & debt costs, and rising cost of labour the top projected barriers for 2024.
• The top locational challenges to doing business were centred around costs with utilities, municipal tax environment, and ease of permitting and regulatory procedures.
• Businesses indicate they are seeking assistance with acquiring and retaining employees, and upgrading digital processes.

I believe that surveys such as this are a learning opportunity. They help me to understand business investment attraction, business retention and expansion, and entrepreneurship and innovation, all of which lead to job creation and help pay for City services, thus creating a vibrant community. Learning from our businesses and focussing on economic development is important to our city’s future. This survey provides an opportunity to understand where local business is coming from and where, if appropriate, positive change can be made.

Thank you to Economic Development Lethbridge, Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce, and Downtown BRZ for your work in this important initiative. I continue to look forward to engaging with you and our local business community.

If you have any questions at all, or would like to talk further about the work I am doing on Council, please contact me via this website, or email me at: jenn.schmidt-rempel@lethbridge.ca

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This is the last week for you to share your perceptions of community safety in our city by completing the Community Safety Survey: https://getinvolvedlethbridge.ca/

Safety in our community means different things to different people, and we need to understand and discuss the who, what, where, why, when, and how of all facets of community safety to fully understand what it means to be safe in our city. Each and every one of us has a different idea of what it means to be safe in this community.

What makes our city safe for you?

Over the past number of years, to address safety and well-being concerns in our city, the City of Lethbridge has completed studies and developed the:

• Community Clean and Safe Strategy
• Community Wellbeing and Safety Strategy

Without the perception of safety in our community our ability to attract and retain businesses and residents in our community begins to decrease. We want to ensure we are building a growing and thriving city that everyone is proud to call home. Our city’s success relies on how we support the experiences of our residents through community spaces, services, and businesses.

Take the time to tell us:

• How safe you currently feel in Lethbridge?
• What do you believe are the most pressing safety and well-being issues in our city?

Take a few moments to have your say, and complete the survey by Friday, January 19.

Highlights from this week’s meetings…

Video and agenda packages for all meetings are available at: https://agendas.lethbridge.ca/AgendaOnline

If you have any questions at all, or would like to talk further about the work Council is doing, please contact me via this website, or email me at:

jenn.schmidt-rempel@lethbridge.ca

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Audit Standing Policy Committee, Dec. 6, 2023:

Committee received the Audit Planning Report and the Economic Update and Public Sector Accounting Standard 3450 – Financial Instruments report in a closed session.

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Assets & Infrastructure Standing Policy Committee, Dec. 7, 2023:

Committee received an update on the Toxic and E-Wast Round-Up Pilot projects held this year. Due to the success of the 2 events held in 2023, another 2 events have been recommended to Council for 2024.

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The 2023 Transportation Master Plan was also presented to committee and will move forward to be adopted in principle by Council.

It’s important to note that there will still be opportunity for the public to engage on individual projects included in the 2023 Transportation Master Plan as each project will come forward to Council for approval.

There were concerns brought forward by a local business regarding communication about the recently completed construction in the downtown core. All feedback received regarding the construction will give us an opportunity to improve and adjust as we move forward and onto future projects.

I asked a question regarding accessibility and where we were at with retrofitting intersections for accessibility. In 2023, 77% of intersections have intersections with pedestrian ramps.

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Committee also receive a Land Use Bylaw Renewal Project Update. Phase 1 is directed towards social issues exploration and how the new Land Use Bylaw can help ensure that everyone in Lethbridge has appropriate housing for their needs and the option to access the social supports they need.

As we work through the Phase 1 bylaw process, a public hearing is planned for March 26, 2024. Opportunities to engage on Phase 2 will be available as that starts and moves forward.

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Committee also heard from members of the community regarding Exhibition Park’s emergency funding request. Speakers included:

• Cyndi Bester, Lethbridge Chamber of Commerce

• Dale Leier, local business owner

• Layne Whipple, local business owner

• Erin Crane, Tourism Lethbridge

• Alf Gurr, local business owner

• Bridget Mearns, BILD

Members of committee also heard that Mayor Hyggen and Exhibition Park CEO, Mike Warkentin, met with provincial representatives this week.

I asked questions pertaining to operational costs if the City of Lethbridge were to take over operations of the Agri-Food Hub: operational costs would increase, particularly if there was no revenue from events or programs being generated, and the loan would need to be covered through new taxation.

At this time there is no update on the Dec. 12 City Council agenda for this item.

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Increasing winter shelter capacity in Lethbridge…

It was fantastic news for our city this week as the provincial government announced funding for up to 50 temporary winter shelter spaces. It’s a step in the right direction as we continue to work on helping the most vulnerable in our city: https://www.alberta.ca/release.cfm?xID=8941449F57D64-F4ED-507F-79256D90921640DE

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Congratulations to PIP International…

Congratulations to the team at PIP International for the work they’re doing with Emissions Reduction Alberta and the Government of Alberta. Their work on their Total Energy Solution Project will showcase an innovative thermal battery, which will bring PIP to net zero and emissions free: https://www.alberta.ca/release.cfm?xID=894285A615B45-EF69-116E-B4E4D086C5B075A6

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Next week at City Council:

Agenda packages and video are available at: https://agendas.lethbridge.ca/AgendaOnline 

• Dec. 12: City Council

• Dec. 14: Safety & Social Standing Policy Committee
  • This meeting will allow the public to speak to and ask questions about:
    • YWCA Harbour House Expansion
    • Lethbridge Social Helping Organizations Coalition

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Highlights from this week’s meeting…

Video and agenda packages for all meetings are available at: https://agendas.lethbridge.ca/AgendaOnline

If you have any questions at all, or would like to talk further about the work Council is doing, please contact me via this website, or email me at:

jenn.schmidt-rempel@lethbridge.ca

City Council, Nov. 28, 2023…

Lethbridge and District Exhibition Park Update

I received several questions as to why I voted the way I did on this issue. You can find my commentary on this agenda item (posted earlier this week) at: https://jennschmidtrempel.ca/in-response-to-todays-meeting/

I will reiterate though, I largely did not support any points in the motion because I believe we should have moved forward with our support of Exhibition Park without the condition of receiving a formal commitment from the Province. That we should be working in a collaborative fashion with Exhibition Park, the Province, as well as other stakeholders and investors to secure additional funding for the project.

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Enhancing Canine Welfare and Adoption Opportunities at the Lethbridge Animal Shelter

Council allocated up to $30,000 in one-time funding to build a fenced dog run on the Animal Shelter property with the aim to provide additional opportunities for socializing, training, and exercising dogs available for adoption at the Animal Shelter.

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Appeal of Order to Remedy Contravention of the Wild and Domestic Animal Bylaw

A resident came forward to appeal an order to remove chickens from his backyard. Council will meet to deliberate the request.

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Ability Skate…

Starting Sunday, December 3, the City of Lethbridge is introducing two Ability Skate times into its public skating schedule. The Ability Skate is a new sensory-friendly public skating program specifically designed for Lethbridge residents with disabilities. Learn more at: https://www.lethbridge.ca/news/posts/new-ability-skate-now-available/

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This weekend in Lethbridge…

Nikka Yuko Winter Light Festival: https://nikkayuko.com/winter-light-festival/

Lethbridge Handmade Market: https://www.facebook.com/events/564059692463163

Big Christmas Show & Farmers Market: https://www.facebook.com/events/186371810937311

Christmas Glow: https://www.glowgardens.com/lethbridge/

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Next week at City Council:

Agenda packages and video are available at: https://agendas.lethbridge.ca/AgendaOnline 

• Dec. 6: Audit Standing Policy Committee

• Dec. 7: Assets & Infrastructure Standing Policy Committee
  • This meeting will allow the public to speak to and ask question about:
    • The Toxic & E-Waste Round-Up Pilot Project
    • The 2023 Transportation Master Plan
    • The Land Use Bylaw Renewal Project Update
    • Exhibition Park emergency funding request

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