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My Priorities

 

I consider my positions on the topics facing our community as solution oriented, and not politically partisan. I address each issue and opportunity in our community proactively and responsibly. It is absolutely important to me that I attend to each issue with an approach considering community feedback.

I’m Listening to Lethbridge.

My Priorities

 

I consider my positions on the topics facing our community as solution oriented, and not politically partisan. I address each issue and opportunity in our community proactively and responsibly. It is absolutely important to me that I attend to each issue with an approach considering community feedback.

I’m Listening to Lethbridge.

Needs Before Wants

It’s important to understand the difference between what we need and what we want.

Needs are the essentials—like food, housing, healthcare, education, and community well-being. These are the things people rely on every day. Wants are the extras—things that might be nice to have, but are not critical.

When we focus on our needs first, we build a strong foundation. It helps us make smart decisions with our money, avoid unnecessary debt, and builds a sustainable community. Taking care of the essentials first makes sure everyone is safe, healthy, and supported.

That doesn’t mean we forget about our wants. Once the important things are looked after, there’s room to invest in things that help our community thrive. It’s all about finding the right balance—spending wisely and planning for a future that benefits everyone.

I care deeply about the people of Lethbridge. I’ll keep working to find cost savings, and manage the taxpayers' dollars carefully. By focusing on needs first and spending smart, we can build a better future together.

As your Mayor, I’ll continue to be responsible with our city’s budget—prioritizing your needs.

Budget Discipline

I believe in budget discipline—making smart choices and sticking to our spending limits.

Just like families need to plan how they spend their money, the city must also plan carefully to stay on budget. That means working closely with city administration to plan, track, and control our spending so we don’t take on unnecessary debt.

It’s the same idea we have in our daily lives, living within our means—covering the important stuff first and being thoughtful about extras.

If we choose to spend money on something we want, we should also look for a way to save that same amount somewhere else in the budget. It’s about balance, responsibility, and keeping our finances in check.

Balanced and Sustainable Growth

Lethbridge is a growing, vibrant city—and that’s something we should all be proud of. As we continue to grow, I believe that growth should be both balanced and sustainable.

Balanced growth means making sure everyone in our community has access to jobs, affordable housing, and the services they need. It’s about growing in a way that supports everyone—not just a few.

Sustainable growth means thinking long-term. That includes protecting our environment, investing in strong infrastructure and city services, building green spaces and recreation areas, and supporting the arts and community programs that make Lethbridge such a great place to live.

If we grow with balance and care, we’ll build a city that works not only for today—but for generations to come.

Continued Investment in Police, Fire and Emergency Services

Keeping our community safe will always be one of my top priorities.

When I first became mayor, one of the first steps we took was restoring the funding for the Lethbridge Police Service budget— helping to reverse the cuts made in 2020 that I had strongly opposed. This was a necessary move to make sure our police officers had the staff, tools, and training they needed to do their difficult and often challenging work.

But safety doesn’t stop there. I will continue to support all of our emergency responders—police, fire, and emergency services—by ensuring they have the resources to protect our city effectively. This includes moving forward with strategies developed by our protective services teams.

These brave individuals are the first ones to show up when there’s a fire, a health crisis, or a threat to public safety. They put themselves at risk every day to keep us safe. We owe it to them to provide the funding and support they need.

As your mayor, I remain committed to making sure our protective services are strong, well-resourced, and ready to respond when our community needs them.

Doctor Recruitment and Retention

At the start of my tenure as Mayor, Lethbridge was already facing a major challenge—too many people in our community didn’t have access to a family doctor. In fact, around 30,000 people in Alberta’s South Health Zone were without one, and the situation was getting worse as doctors retired or left the area.

Although healthcare is a provincial responsibility, I believe the City has a role to play in supporting solutions.

My plan has two parts. First, I will continue working to make Lethbridge a place where doctors and healthcare professionals want to live. That means focusing on key issues like revitalizing our downtown, supporting the local economy, and reducing crime—because building a strong, safe, and vibrant city makes it easier to attract families to live and work here.

Second, I will ensure this issue stays front and center by continuing to advocate with all levels of government to bring doctors and specialists to Lethbridge. This includes but is not limited to my advocacy to all levels of government.

Just as I have advocated for family physicians and helped secure provincial commitment for the Cardiac Centre of Excellence, I will continue to keep the health needs of our community at the forefront.  

As your Mayor, I will always push for real, lasting solutions to improve access to quality healthcare in Lethbridge.

Infrastructure, Housing and Services

Strong infrastructure, housing and reliable public services are the backbone of the high quality of life we enjoy in Lethbridge. Roads, bridges, water systems, and public transit keep our city moving. When these systems work well, we barely notice them—but when they don’t, everything from business to education and public health can be disrupted.

Just as important are the services that support our daily lives: waste collection, emergency response, healthcare, and education. These services help keep our city clean, safe, and functioning smoothly. They also help attract new businesses, create jobs, and improve life for everyone who calls Lethbridge home.

That’s why investing in modern, sustainable infrastructure isn’t just about meeting today’s needs—it’s about planning for tomorrow. As our city grows, we must ensure we’re ready for the future, with systems that are built to last.

I will continue to support thoughtful planning and investment in the infrastructure and services that protect, strengthen, and support our community now and for generations to come.

Water and the Environment

Regardless of your views on climate change—protecting our environment and using resources wisely is essential for a growing city like Lethbridge.

That’s why I will continue to work with provincial and federal partners to secure grants and programs that help us grow sustainably and improve our quality of life.

Lethbridge has long been recognized for the quality of its water, and that standard must continue. Every glass we drink, every shower we take, and every crop that gets irrigated depends on a complex system of pipes, treatment plants, and skilled professionals. Clean water isn’t a luxury—it’s a basic need.

Wastewater infrastructure is just as important. It protects our rivers, lakes, and ecosystems by managing and treating wastewater in a way that protects our environment. This safeguards public health, prevents pollution, and preserves the natural beauty of our region—for today and for generations to come.

As Lethbridge grows and our infrastructure ages, we must invest in upgrading and maintaining these systems. This includes not just pipes and pumps, but also the skilled teams who keep everything running.

By prioritizing water and environmental infrastructure, we support public health, sustainability, and long-term economic growth.

Attraction, Retention and Expansion

The future success of Lethbridge depends on our ability to attract new businesses, support the ones we already have, and help them grow.

Bringing in new businesses, fostering talent through our nationally recognized post-secondary institutions, and encouraging investment will position Lethbridge as a competitive and welcoming place to work, live, and raise a family.

At the same time, we must prioritize the people and businesses already rooted in our community—entrepreneurs, workers, and families who have chosen to invest here. By listening to their needs, removing barriers, and creating the right environment for success, we can help them thrive.

Growth doesn’t just come from outside—it comes from within. When local businesses expand, they create jobs, strengthen supply chains, and deepen their commitment to our city.

With a focus on attraction, retention, and expansion, we can continue to build a vibrant, inclusive, and sustainable economy that works for everyone in Lethbridge.

Please Donate to the Re-Elect Hyggen Campaign

To donate, you must be a resident of Alberta or have a corporation that is based in Alberta. Maximum $5,000 for all candidates in the election. Donations to municipal campaigns are not eligible for tax receipts.

 

Donations can also be made via e-Transfer to [email protected].