Lethbridge welcomed a higher voter turnout and a new mayor and city council during the municipal election Monday night.
The 2021 Lethbridge municipal election brought many changes for the city as well as Lethbridge resident’s views on non-binding city and provincial questions.
The non-binding city council ballot questions were “do you support using a ward system to elect City Councillors (other than the mayor) starting with the 2025 municipal election?” and “do you agree that city council should approve plans to construct a 3rd bridge prior to 2030 as a municipal capital project priority?”
Results of the city council questions were 55.69 per cent yes in favour of the ward system for the 2025 election, and 60.41 per cent yes to approve the third bridge for the city.
The provincial ballot included the Provincial Senate nominees, the question of if the commitment to the principle of making equalization payments should be removed from the constitution, as well as should Alberta adopt a year-round daylight savings time.
Returning Officer Bonnie Hilford says the city was surprised with the increase in voter turnout.
“We are pleased with the turnout, both with the record-setting advance vote and on Election Day, considering that voters had two ballots to complete.”
Voter turnout at this year’s election was 35 per cent whereas the last five elections held an average of 31 per cent.
The election included the mayoral race, eight city council positions, seven Public School Board trustees and five Separate School Board trustees in addition to the non-binding questions.
Lethbridge’s mayor-elect Blaine Hyggen was “humbled” by the announcement of his win. The mayoral race came down to a difference of 508 votes between Hyggen and Bridget Mearns who came in second place.
Previously Hyggen has worked on city council since 2013. Councillors Ryan Parker, Belinda Crowson, Mark Campbell and Jeff Carlson have been re-elected and will be some familiar faces for Hyggen to work with as mayor. New councillors-elect include Jenn Schmidt-Rempel, John Middleton-Hope, Nick Paladino, and previous councillor from 2004-2010 and mayor from 2010-2013 Rajko Dodic.
Hyggen is putting a high priority on cohesiveness within the council during his four-year term.
“There’s no way we’re going to be able to advance what the community wants without working together as a council.”
Hyggen says the first item on his agenda after being sworn in is to ask the new council what they want. Hyggen is very set on the new council working as a team as much as possible.
The swearing-in ceremony will take place Monday Oct. 25 at 1:30 p.m. and will be livestreamed on the City of Lethbridge YouTube channel.
