Neudorf’s column raises questions

By Lethbridge Herald on December 19, 2025.

Editor,

MLA Nathan Neudorf’s “At the Legislature” column (Lethbridge Herald, Dec. 12, 2025) purports to be a Christmas greeting, but it raises a number of questions for me. Ironically, the column sandwiched between an editorial cartoon depicting Danielle Smith riding roughshod over democracy and a Lorne Fitch letter listing UCP actions that are the opposite of what most Albertans want.

First, Mr. Neudorf reminds us of “the strength and resilience of the Lethbridge community” and “the importance of coming together in generosity and kindness.” 

These are rich comments from someone who is proposing to gerrymander urban Lethbridge into four rural voting districts.

Second: he pats himself on the back for his work as Minister of Affordability and Utilities, specifically for scrapping the Clean Energy Regulations. It may be a win for oil and gas companies, most of which are not Canadian owned, but it’s a slap in the face to anyone who is concerned about the environment, particularly when you consider the UCPs support for the Grassy Lake coal mine and the resulting harm to agriculture and Lethbridge’s water supply. And it is yet to be demonstrated how it might affect electricity prices

Third, sometimes, when a door closes a window opens, but we don’t notice it because we are still staring at the door. In terms of fossil fuels, staring at the rapidly-closing door is exactly what the UCP (including Mr. Neudorf) is doing. Notably, he does not mention the UCP moratorium on renewable energy, which cost Alberta billions of dollars in investment. 

Yes, we have a lot of oil and gas, but we also have a lot of sun and wind, just waiting to be harvested. He would rather embrace nuclear power as the preferred option. 

Fourth, he refers to his goal of “ensuring that all Albertans have access to affordable, reliable, and sustainable utilities now and for generations to come.” When will this happen, I wonder? At present, Alberta residents pay more for their utilities than residents of any other province. 

Finally, he sends heartfelt Christmas greetings to “every resident of Lethbridge-East,” rather than to everyone in our city —as well he might, since they are the ones who voted for him. 

If it is proven that “dirty tricks” are afoot in terms of the Nathan Neudorf recall process, they may wish to reconsider. 

Ian Hepher

Lethbridge