Lethbridge not overlooked in the budget

By Lethbridge Herald on March 11, 2023.

AT THE LEGISLATURE
Nathan Neudorf – UCP MLA for Lethbridge East

There is positive news contained in the Alberta budget for 2023. This is perhaps the most balanced budget our government has presented to date. And by balanced, I mean the budget is fiscally balanced, it is balanced in how it addresses the growth experienced by our province, and it addresses investing in future generations — an obligation that as government we must consider. 

On investing in our future, this government has paid off $13.4 billion of our province’s debt and at the same time it has invested $2 billion into the Heritage Savings Trust Fund. In addition, our government has also addressed the needs of Albertans through further funding in healthcare, education, public safety and job creation. With a forecasted surplus of $2.4 billion and an economy poised to lead our country in economic growth, Budget 2023 serves to facilitate investment in Alberta’s future and this includes investing in Lethbridge.

I am especially proud of the work that has been done in Lethbridge during our government’s term. Not only were the top five requests from the City of Lethbridge funded and fulfilled, but we have also achieved much more! During our term, Lethbridge saw funding for the expansion of Exhibition Park, renovations to the Airport and runway, the completion of deferred maintenance at the University of Lethbridge, and infrastructure for increase in broadband internet. Lethbridge also received full funding for two westside elementary schools (one public school in budget 2022, and one school for Holy Spirit School Division in Budget 2023), modernization of Galbraith Elementary School, and a much-needed gym expansion for École La Vérendrye.  

But these are not the only projects that Lethbridge benefits from. Our government also allocated $94 million for the twinning of Highway 3 which is designed to improve productivity in Southern Alberta. 

Lethbridge has also benefited from significant investments in healthcare. Future investments include the Alberta Surgical Initiative which will develop surgical facilities to help alleviate strains on our healthcare system and ensure that patients get surgery within appropriate timeframes. These initiatives will bring in $14 million in development and approximately 83 jobs to our region. 

Budget 2023 will bring in $11 million more over the next three years to expand the Renal Dialysis program at the Chinook Regional Hospital. Further to these investments, we can expect to open Lethbridge Recovery Community that will support recovery for those with mental health and addictions issues right here in Lethbridge — made possible by our government’s investment of $19.3 million.

Overall, Lethbridge has seen nearly $250 million in capital investments over our government’s term—all of which were top requests made by local stakeholders.

Looking to the future, I am continuing to advocate for Lethbridge on our much needed Cardiac Catheterization Lab. I have had several meetings with Health Minister Jason Copping on this project and we are working together to address this ask. Despite critics saying otherwise, I am fighting extremely hard to help make this need a reality for Lethbridge. 

In a rapidly growing city like Lethbridge, there are other infrastructure projects that need attention like a third bridge. The City of Lethbridge also needs to expand its wastewater treatment plant. This past December, Team Lethbridge travelled to Edmonton and advocated for an expansion of the wastewater system which made an impression upon our Premier and the Minister of Transportation, bringing Lethbridge one step closer to seeing this project get the attention it needs. Budget 2023 outlines a $211 million increase in funding to support Municipal Water and Wastewater programs over the next three years to eligible municipalities through grant funding applications. 

Budget 2023 is good news for Lethbridge with over $70 million in capital investments over nine different projects, and Lethbridge will also benefit from significant program funding to support doctors, nurses, teachers, and those who work in the disability and homeless sectors. What’s more, Budget 2023 also includes funding to train future doctors right here at the University of Lethbridge! Despite what others may say, Lethbridge has not been overlooked by this government and Lethbridge is positioned for a bright future.