Recent Saint-Laurent exchange another success

As Labour Day is set to usher in the unofficial end of summer, one group of local students is already reminiscing about a memorable trip earlier this season.

Five students aged 14-16 recently completed the 57th Saint-Laurent exchange. A delegation from Saint-Laurent, Quebec, first travelled to Lethbridge from July 10–17, followed by the Lethbridge delegation travelling to Saint-Laurent from August 7–14.

During each of these weeks, group activities were organized to provide the visitors with an opportunity to get to know one another and discover their regions. The program consists of both organized activities and free time. Participants were matched, or twinned, based on their common interests. Visitors stay at their twin's home for seven nights.

Mayor Blaine Hyggen also accompanied the students to Quebec.

“Despite some significant heavy rain in Montreal and some airport issues in Calgary, the group had an absolutely highly memorable trip,” says Mayor Hyggen. “While in Saint-Laurent, we visited their City Hall, the historic Maison Robert-Bélanger and attended the Saint-Laurent Festival.”

The exchange group was also privy to a rare tour of the City of Montreal City Hall chambers, plus more touristy options such as Old Montreal, a sightseeing cruise on the St. Lawrence River, Science Centre, Biodome, Notre Dame Basilica, Illusion Museum and a world-famous smoked meat sandwich at Reubens.

Saint-Laurent, Quebec, is the official twin city of Lethbridge. The two communities entered a formal city-to-city twinning arrangement in 1967 as part of a Canadian Centennial project to promote cultural and social relationships between Eastern and Western Canada. Exchanges occur annually, alternately involving seniors and students.

The costs associated with the exchange, such as airplane tickets, public transportation, touring activities and meals during group excursions, are covered by the municipalities. Next year’s trip is for seniors (55+) and we will begin taking applications in January 2025.