Local gov’t reps say they look forward to working with Thomas

By Lethbridge Herald on May 1, 2025.

MP-elect Rachael Thomas greets supporters after her victory speech at Paradise Canyon Golf Club Monday.

Joe Manio
Lethbridge Herald
Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Incumbent Member of Parliament Rachael Thomas is preparing to head back to the House of Commons after handily winning reelection Monday for a fourth term.

 receiving the green light to continue representing the Lethbridge Riding in Parliament for a fourth term. During her election night victory speech, the Conservative Party member said she felt honoured to be re-elected as MP for the region, a job which Thomas says she doesn’t not take lightly.

“It’s going to be a lot of fun to have another term in the House of Commons and to be an advocate on behalf of Lethbridge,” Thomas said. “This region needs a strong voice in Ottawa and I’ve had the opportunity to do that for this community for three terms and I’m looking forward to the fourth.”

Thomas is estimated to have won 60.9 percent of the votes in Monday’s federal election. In the wake of the elections, however, many Canadian voters have expressed that they want less of the partisan melodrama between the parties leading up to it. Especially with a minority government, voters want to see their elected officials find more common ground across party lines, and to work together on issues Canadians are facing.

Thomas’s opponent, Liberal candidate Chris Spearman, says he understands that perspective.

“Before the election, I told individuals that if they posted aggressive Trump-style comments on my personal Facebook, I would block them,” said Spearman. Spearman added that going forward, politicians from all sides needed to promote respectful discussions on issues. “We don’t want to be like Americans. Canadians don’t want divisive polarized politics.”

There is certainly a lot of work to be done, it seems. In a recent unscientific poll conducted by the Herald, asking if readers felt optimistic after the Monday elections, 61 per cent of the hundreds of respondents answered no.

During the 37 days of campaigning, Thomas said the concerns she heard from those she talked to did not vary, with the top three being affordability, safety and security, along with Canada’s economic stability. 

Lethbridge Mayor Blaine Hyggen said he looked forward to continuing working with Thomas.

“As a municipality, we have a responsibility to work with whoever is elected,” said Hyggen after Thomas’s victory speech at Paradise Canyon Golf Club Monday. “Rachael has a proven history of public service, and we will continue working with her to ensure the city’s priorities are met.”

Coaldale town council member Bill Chapman echoed Hyggen’s sentiment, saying that council was ready to work with Thomas. Coaldale Mayor Jack Van Rign released a statement that night congratulating Thomas on her fourth term as MP and extending his support.

Thomas said she heard from numerous people in the community. They said they do not feel safe in their community and many shared stories with her of not being able to go for a walk at night or feeling like they can send their child out to the playground to play on their own.

“Elderly people told me about needing to call the watch to walk with them in order to feel safe. People want a community that does feel safe and does feel secure.”

She added in light of the situation with the United States and President Donald Trump and his tariffs, people are asking questions about what the government is doing to draw investment to Canada going forward and if there is a plan to expand into other markets instead of depending so heavily on our neighbours to the south.

“They want to see the barriers brought down between provinces so that we can trade amongst ourselves, which, you know, there’s a lot of work to do there.”