Hyggen encouraged by provincial budget

By Lethbridge Herald on February 28, 2025.

Herald file photo - The provincial budget allocates $520 million across three years to support small and mid-sized municipalities building or enhancing water and wastewater infrastructure.

Mayor Blaine Hyggen attended the provincial budget announcement in Edmonton earlier this week on behalf of Lethbridge city council and says it will take some time to determine exactly what it means for Lethbridge. 

“It will take some time to review the entire scope of the 2025 provincial budget, including discussions with our chief financial officer and Treasurer, to see the full picture for our city,” said Hyggen. “We look forward to working with the provincial government in the coming weeks and months to learn more about what this budget means specifically for Lethbridge.”

He told reporters Friday that one of city council’s biggest priorities remains the need for future expansion plans for water and wastewater, and therefore it was encouraging to see that Budget 2025 allocates $520 million across three years to support small and mid-sized municipalities in building or enhancing drinking water and wastewater infrastructure.  

“Although it didn’t specifically say Lethbridge, it’s small and mid-size cities, we will be included in that, so we want to see how that $520 million will be allocated, so we are hoping to see what we need to be able to expand our infrastructure in water and wastewater,” said Hyggen. 

He added that they are encouraged by the re-commitment on plans for $5 million in planning funds to enhance ICU capacity in both Lethbridge and Medicine Hat, as well as introducing a catheterization lab at the Chinook Regional Hospital. 

Hyggen said the increased funding up to $39 million across three years for the Southern Alberta Medical Program at the University of Lethbridge is another major step forward. 

“I was really excited to see the increase in funding for the medical training facility at the university to be honest, that was a very big win,” said Hyggen. “There’s going to be additional dollars put into that, so I believe that will help against the doctor shortage that we have within our community by training those most close to home.” 

He said that an increase in budget was a welcoming announcement, something they knew it was coming but the government is putting additional dollars into it to have more students being able to work through that program. 

Hyggen added that they are pleased with the announcements for another new elementary school for the city, as well as the addition of an Urgent Care Centre.

“As always, city council and I will continue to advocate for the supports we need in our city to best serve our residents,” said Hyggen.