All four pillars of my platform are interconnected, and they rely on each other and work together to build a bright future for our city. It’s only through connected and compassionate people, efficient services, and resilient businesses that we will have a stronger community.
During this election, most people are wondering what candidates, if elected, will do about:
- Those experiencing homelessness
- Those experiencing addictions
- Community safety
During this campaign, you may hear candidates claim that they have solutions for any or all these. If any one person tells you they have a solution, they don’t. These are bigger than any one person. These will require community solutions and will only be solved when we work on them together, as an entire community.
I’m committed to seeing a coordinated and integrated needs-based social services strategy that involves all sectors and service providers in engagement, land use development, and planning. It means all of us working together, not against each other or in siloed groups. It means municipal, provincial, and federal levels of government working together and holding each other accountable.
This includes determining where to locate services and recommendations on who will be running them. It will mean changing some procedures and ensuring Good Neighbour Plans are submitted with land rezoning or permitting applications. As part of this we may require an applicant to provide signed communications from each area neighbour, proof of engagement sessions and meeting schedules, and other communications with area neighbours.
Some of this work has started with the Community Wellness & Safety Strategy. However, I see gaps in employment skills and workforce development as well as in communication with the community.
Offering everyone a space to belong includes being able to help people find meaningful work, which I addressed in my post last week.
I cannot emphasize enough that meaningful engagement and communication must happen, and I see a huge gap in communication with the residents of our city, which is why I will commit to helping to create a communication strategy around these plans. If we as a city are going to implement plans to provide for the needs of people in our community, no matter the service, communication and engagement are key.
We all need to know and understand what’s going on, so that we can build better services for everyone in our community.
What does this mean for you? You will know what our community is planning to do, and you will have the opportunity for input and feedback.
Related to the point above, I’m committed to supporting the Lethbridge Police Commission in their work of building and ensuring the safety of our city and exploring where changes and improvements may need to occur. This includes holding the Commission accountable for the oversight of the Lethbridge Police Service and its budget.
Lethbridge City Council does not manage police services in our city. That’s the role of the Police Commission. City Council determines how much funding to provide the Lethbridge Police Commission, and the Commission allocates dollars based on the Service’s need. I support providing police services with the resources necessary to deliver the services we are asking them to provide.
An Action Plan has recently been submitted by the Lethbridge Police Services to the Provincial Government. I will commit to holding the Lethbridge Police Commission accountable and reporting back on that Action Plan.
I would also encourage each member of the Commission and each member of Council go on a ride along with first responder groups.
What does this mean for you? You’ll know that our police services is moving forward in ensuring the safety of all areas of our city, and that the Lethbridge Police Commission is being held accountable for policing services in our city.
I would also encourage residents and businesses to speak with Lethbridge Police Services regarding Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED). Downtown BRZ recently posted information about a CPTED grant available to businesses and property owners in our downtown.
Focussing on economic development and recovery is important to our city’s future. Economic development is business investment attraction, business retention and expansion, and entrepreneurship and innovation, all of which lead to job creation. Economic development helps pay for City services and creates a vibrant community.
Our Economic Development Lethbridge Team works hard for our city and region and needs Lethbridge City Council’s support. I’m committed to supporting and furthering the current efforts and plans to become the western trade corridor in Canada, Canada’s agricultural and agri-food corridor, a logistics corridor, and a regional tourism hub.
What does this mean for you? It means attraction and investment in our city, jobs, and increased economic development pays for services that create a vibrant community.
I’m committed to ensuring that we’re taking care of Lethbridge’s new and established neighbourhoods equally. This includes supporting:
- The creation of neighbourhood associations and groups
- The creation of Area Structure Plans for all neighbourhoods in our city
What does this mean for you? You will have a local, neighbourhood group to connect with and support you when it comes to:
- Becoming part of or being part of a neighbourhood
- Collaborating with other city neighbourhoods
- Liaising with the City of Lethbridge and other service organizations such as Lethbridge Police Services
- Advocating on behalf of your neighbourhood
- Planning for the future of your neighbourhood
Vote for me to be your elected representative and your voice on Lethbridge City Council. I don’t claim to have all the answers, but I will represent you and our city. I will ask questions and listen because I also want to learn.
I want to hear from you. I want to know what services you use and how you believe we could make services more efficient and build a better city.
I believe in exchanging information and building relationships. If there is something in my campaign you would like to provide feedback on, or talk about, I welcome the opportunity to hear from you.
Watch for more to be released in 2 weeks.