A Stronger Community for Everyone

Climate Crisis is a reality in our present, and we are going to be feeling the environmental and weather impacts in our future. This week, headlines rang with the most recent IPCC report: that it is too late to reverse the negative effects we have already had on our environment and we must act now to prevent any worsening of the climate crisis. It is a daunting, and frankly scary, reality - but a reality nonetheless. 

The climate crisis hasn't been impacting us all equally. Unhoused folks, folks living in poverty and racialized communities are on the frontlines of the crisis and have been experiencing the devastating impacts of heat waves, droughts, and extreme weather events in our city. Farmers and ranchers are on the front lines of this crisis. When we think of grasslands and farms burning, it impacts not only the livelihoods of farmers, but also the regional economy they support.

We know we are way beyond individual actions - that governments and corporations must take this seriously and center environmental justice to reduce the effects of the climate crisis now.

That is why our city needs to walk that talk and take action today. I believe in planning for our present and our future, and that is why I am excited to announce my plan on how we invest in a stronger and safer Lethbridge with the creation of the City of Lethbridge Future Fund. The City of Lethbridge Future Fund will focus on investing in projects that improve the safety of residents, address the climate crisis by building resiliency, and strengthen the economy by promoting local jobs and businesses. 

I am proposing a climate crisis resilience plan through a City of Lethbridge Future Fund that will be made of two pillars: jobs and health. The first is designed to protect the future of the Lethbridge economy by promoting investment into infrastructure that reduces pollution in and around Lethbridge and supports climate sustainable new builds. We can reduce emissions by mandating all new builds are solar energy ready, and support innovative programs like PACE that offer upfront interest free loans to install geo-thermal and solar energy. Increasing non-carbon based energy generation reduces household costs on utilities and paves a path to make Lethbridge an energy resilient city by building up a future green energy grid system for all our citizens - protecting our city from future energy shortages and moving us to a zero-emission energy producer. By doing this, workers can continue to use their skills by transitioning from existing trades jobs in declining industries into high-demand jobs that are found in a new energy economy like solar, wind, and construction. This strengthens our local economy and creates good, sustainable jobs here in our city. 

The second invests in projects that protect the health and wellness of people living in our cities. In this pillar, money will be directed to projects to ensure that everyone in Lethbridge has a safe place to go in the cold and heat, as well as financial support for large scale emergencies like fires or floods. It will also mean investing in transportation to ensure that people with mobility issues, like seniors, can get to cooling centres instead of being isolated at home.

We know and have felt the impact of global warming. In our region, our connection to the land is strong. For many years farmers, land and water protectors, and conservationists have been recording and sharing the effects of the climate crisis from their lived experience. And on a personal level, many of us have committed to reducing waste, reducing greenhouse gas emissions and living in a way that respects the land, water and air we depend on. The future of our city, for our seniors, youth, and everybody in between, relies entirely on our ability to work together and invest in projects that ensure we are protected against climate change and that we are able to respond to the climate crisis. 

At this time, there is no estimated cost to the fund. I recognize that it may seem like a bold idea at the moment. Our city would have to collaborate with stakeholders and citizens in Lethbridge, as well as our neighbours in Lethbridge county and the Kainai and Piikani Nations to determine the right amount of municipal funding to contribute, but this conversation needs to start somewhere and I believe responding to the climate crisis seriously is integral to building a stronger Lethbridge, together.

By planning how to make Lethbridge more climate crisis resilient and working to reduce our negative impact on our environment we are building a stronger Lethbridge, together.

There are so many amazing neighbourhoods all throughout our city. Our parks are incredible spaces and they are an absolute strength of Lethbridge. However, there are areas of our city that need support to create and expand community spaces in high density neighbourhoods that meet the needs of the residents that live there. Spaces for families and neighbours to gather and grow. I want to work closely with communities and Lethbridge citizens to hear what they need in their neighbourhoods and find ways to make strong community spaces that are welcoming to all.

Further, our Northside is growing and with more people, expanded city services are needed. If elected, I will consult with Northside residents and our city’s library service to explore the potential for a new Northside library branch. By creating a new library space, we are leading to make the incredible services of the library and all the community groups that access it more available and accessible.