Mayor’s statement on 2025 Provincial Budget

I was pleased to attend yesterday’s budget announcement in Edmonton, on behalf of Lethbridge City Council.  

One of our biggest priorities remains the need for future expansion plans for water and wastewater, so it was encouraging to see that Budget 2025 allocates $520 million across three years to support small and mid-sized municipalities in building or enhancing drinking water and wastewater infrastructure.  

It will take some time to review the entire scope of the 2025 Provincial Budget, including discussions with our Chief Financial Officer & Treasurer, to see the full picture for our city. We look forward to working with the Provincial Government in the coming weeks and months to learn more about what this budget means specifically for Lethbridge. 

We are pleased with the announcements for another new elementary school for the city, as well as the addition of an Urgent Care Centre. 

We are encouraged by the re-commitment on plans for $5 million in planning funds to enhance ICU capacity in both Lethbridge and Medicine Hat, as well as introducing a catheterization lab at the Chinook Regional Hospital. The increased funding up to $39 million across three years for the Southern Alberta Medical Program at the University of Lethbridge is another major step forward. 

As always, City Council and I will continue to advocate for the supports we need in our city to best serve our residents.  

-Mayor Blaine Hyggen