Commentary

Mayor Spearman and Members of Council: On Aug. 19, council will be hearing a motion to petition the provincial government to stop the funding for the Supervised Consumption Site. Please consider this letter my formal objection to this motion and I urge you to vote against it. Here are my reasons: – Since opening in [...] Read More »

I was disappointed to read the CBC report that Councillor Blaine Hyggen, of the City of Lethbridge, wants to defund the local Supervised Consumption Site. The SCS saves lives and saves us money on health and emergency services. I don’t condone the local nickname, adopted by some, of “Euthanizin’ Hyggen.” However, I am surprised to [...] Read More »

I’m writing in regards to the upcoming council vote on the future of our supervised consumption site. Harm reduction services such as needle distribution programs and supervised consumption sites have been effective at reducing deaths from drug overdose, decreasing transmission of communicable diseases (e.g. HIV and hepatitis C), and increasing uptake of health services by [...] Read More »

I applaud Councillor Hyggen’s strength to stand for citizens that are directly impacted by the rippling effects of the Supervised Consumption Site (SCS) that plague the city. There are many residents of this city that are oblivious to the serious problem we are experiencing and criticizing citizens who come forward helps no one. Enabling addicts [...] Read More »

Dear Mr. Mayor and honourable members of the council, As a graduate of the Addictions Counselling (B HSc) and a concerned member of the community, I must beg you to vote against the resolution that would potentially close the Supervised Consumption Site here in Lethbridge. Local MP Rachael Harder is concerned about “a two-tier society” [...] Read More »

Things have got so complicated in the Middle East that the players are no longer just stabbing each other in the back. They are stabbing each other in the chest, in the groin, behind the left ear – anywhere that comes to hand. Friends and allies one day are targets and enemies the next. Item [...] Read More »

This month’s ‘From City Hall’ column by Mayor Chris Spearman The excitement of Whoop-Up Days is just around the corner. A great deal of effort from the organizers has gone into revamping and reenergizing the format this year to make Whoop-Up Days an event for the whole family. This annual event offers the opportunity to [...] Read More »

Americans need water and we have it Brian Giesbrecht SENIOR FELLOW FRONTIER CENTRE FOR PUBLIC POLICY “Water is more valuable than oil.” – former U.S. President George W. Bush Canada exports huge quantities of water to the United States and all over the world. As the world’s fifth-largest exporter of agricultural products – which are [...] Read More »

Biodiversity, important ecosystems must be conserved Ask just about anyone who’s never been to Canada about the country, and the fact that it’s cold and full of wilderness is sure to be at the top of their list. The majority of Canadians who live in cities and routinely suffer through extreme heat spells would add [...] Read More »

Dr. R. Michael Galbraith ELITE SPORTS MEDICINE, LETHBRIDGE I am writing to respond to the articles “Syphilis outbreak in Alberta” and Mayor Spearman’s article “Drug crisis needs provincial support.” I’m a family and sports medicine physician. To be transparent, infectious disease and drug use are not the focuses of my current medical practice. However, in [...] Read More »