What happened to Alberta?

By Lethbridge Herald on February 2, 2022.

Editor:

In 1978 we emigrated to Canada from England. The reasons we left the UK were: crime was a problem, drugs were a problem and of course, the good old wet and dreary weather.

 We picked Alberta because we were attracted to the outdoor lifestyle and the beautiful scenery. Lethbridge, in particular, was ideal for us and we quickly settled in to our new life. 

Coming here was wonderful, the freedom to do as we pleased felt good, we did not have to worry about locking the house or the vehicles and living expenses were reasonable. 

When I started work here, I had a trade, I was earning $7 an hour, my wife did not work as we had two young children. 

On that income we managed to run two vehicles, we bought a house and a small trailer and embarked on our adventure of camping as much as possible. In those days it was $2 per night to camp in any of the campgrounds in the Westcastle area including all the free firewood you needed. 

Our kids grew up hiking, fishing and as a family we rode our mountain bikes on the trails throughout the area. As long as you obeyed some basic rules you were free to do as you liked.

 We have now lived here for 43 years. Crime is a problem, drugs are a problem and the cost of living has skyrocketed, and there are more rules and restrictions. 

But the saddest part of all is that this year we sold our truck and trailer as we can no longer afford the camping fees and as a retired couple our option of being able to get up one morning and decide to go camping is gone with the new complicated and cumbersome booking system. 

The last time we camped the fee was $120 for three nights. What has happened to our beloved Alberta?

Nicholas Stanley

Lethbridge