In Lethbridge, a changing of the guard with big decisions in tow

Update added Oct. 18, 2021:Blaine Hyggen elected as next mayor of Lethbridge

With the mayor's chair up for grabsand with a crowded field of 32 competing to secure a seat as councillor, Lethbridge's city hall will look a lot different by this time next week.

What will remain will be the serious challenges facing the southern Alberta citysuch as a drug crisis, a shortage of health-care services and the plan for recovery from the ongoing pandemic.

Outgoing mayor Chris Spearmansays he'd advise his successor to be open to listening, especially when it comes to other councillors with differing points of view.

"I think the most important thing these days is to try to bring communities together," Spearman said.

"We see so much divisiveness because of social media. When you're elected, you can't be representing just one portion of your community, and imposing a philosophy."

GeoffreyHale, aprofessor of political science at the University of Lethbridge, said much of the responsibility of the city's futurewill depend on the mayorand their capacity to bring leadership and team-building skills to council.

"And, I think the fact that you have a new mayor, and the fact that you have a significant turnover on council, means that there will be some changing of the guard in terms of approaches to city hall," Hale said.

Polls for the election will close at 8 p.m. MT, but if there are still lines, those in line before 8 p.m. will still be allowed to vote.

Tabulators will be collected at city hall and the city said it anticipates the results of the election will start updating to the city website by about 8:30 p.m., with full unofficial results tabulated by 9:30 p.m.

At around that time, the city's YouTube channel will host a live broadcast of the final unofficial results.

WATCH |CBC's Lethbridge bureau hosts a special forum with four of the six candidates running for mayor:

CBC Lethbridge mayoral forum

3 years ago

Duration 1:24:53

CBC's Lethbridge bureau hosts a special forum with four of the six candidates running for mayor. Recorded Oct. 8.

What voters are saying

In advance of last week's mayoral forum, CBC's Lethbridge bureau spoke to residents in downtown Lethbridge about what qualities they would like to see in the next mayor and council.

Tara Mathewssaid she thinks that honesty is an essential quality when it comesto any government official.

"Standing by what you say you're gonna do, and working with the people and not against or above the people, and asking them and making sure that they're being heard," she said.

Bariyaa Ipaa, a student at the University of Lethbridge, said he'll be looking to vote for a candidate who values diversity "beyond just a talking point."

"Speaking on issues of reconciliation, it's not just window dressing, but there's actually action to those words," he said.

Tristan Schofieldsaid he'll be seeking a candidate who will be able to step up and make a tough decision when one needs to be made.

"And I think Lethbridge has some tough decisions to be made," he said. "We need somebody strong, well-spoken, able to take accountability and leadership."

Pressing challenges

Over the course of his entire term, Spearman said the city has been struggling to manage various social issues.

Provincial data on drug poisoning deaths indicates thatLethbridge's death rate was 83.9 per 100,000 person years in May 2021 that's more than double the provincial average of 32.4 per 100,000 person years.

Spearman said Lethbridge lacks intox centres, detox centres, long-term recovery and adequate social housing while still facingthe same problems found in bigger communities.

"So coming up with solutions to that, developing a strategy that everybody in the city can support, is important," he said.

"And whenthere's division in a city like Lethbridge, it's an excuse for the provincial and federal government to do nothing. They'd say, well, you don't have a plan that everybody agrees on. Why would we get involved, and why would we fund anything?"

Lethbridge's next council will also face a crisis in health care in the community.

While health care is a provincial responsibility, its challenges are felt on a local level. According to the Chinook Primary Care Network, as of Oct. 15 there was not a single family doctor currently accepting new patients in the city.

Resident William Pelechhad to wait weeks to find a doctor while suffering from pneumonia.

"Lethbridge is a wonderful city to live in for young families," he said."But I'm worried many young families will not come here because of a lack of access to doctors."

More decisions to be made

Lethbridge voters will also be asked to weigh in on two local issues as part of this year's election whether to adopt a ward system for the next election andwhether council should approve plans to construct a third bridge over the Oldman Riverprior to 2030.

Like all Alberta voters, those voting in Lethbridge will also be asked to vote ontworeferendumquestions and will be asked toselect up to three nominees for the Senate.

"So, verybusy ballot this election," saidBonnie Hilford, returning clerk for the city.

In 2017, voter turnout in Lethbridge was 27 per cent. Hilford said this year's advancevotehas surpassed the advancevote in that election.

As he departs the mayor's chair, Spearman said he was thankful for the opportunity to serve.

"Lethbridge is a fantastic city to live, and I think people should be proud of our city and it is a gateway to opportunity to all who come here," he said.

CBC Calgary has launched a Lethbridgebureau to helptell your stories from southern Alberta with reporter Joel Dryden. Story ideas and tips can be sent tojoel.dryden@cbc.ca.

What would news coverage look like if every Lethbridge resident was welcome to help shape it?

We've launched an experimental outreach effort for Lethbridge and area residents. If you're in the area, join our Lethbridge Bureau texting community to help in this experiment.