In a comprehensive year-end interview, recently re-elected Lethbridge Mayor Blaine Hyggen has outlined his administration's key priorities, with a sharp focus on attracting family physicians to the southern Alberta city and building upon significant gains in public safety.
Election Takeaways and Top Resident Concerns
Mayor Blaine Hyggen, who secured re-election on October 20, 2025, stated that his conversations with voters consistently highlighted three major issues. Public safety, doctor recruitment and retention, and taxation emerged as the dominant themes during the campaign. Hyggen acknowledged that the shortage of family physicians is a widespread challenge, noting it is a problem not only across Alberta but throughout Canada.
Significant Progress on Crime and Policing Strategy
Hyggen pointed to concrete data as evidence of success in tackling crime. He revealed that Lethbridge experienced the third-largest drop in Canada in the Crime Severity Index over the past year, with a notable 19 per cent decline compared to the same period in 2023. This marks the third consecutive year of improvement.
The mayor credited this turnaround to strategic city investments. Council allocated additional funding to the police commission, enabling the Lethbridge Police Service to hire more officers and support staff. Hyggen also praised Police Chief Shahin Mehdizadeh for fostering a positive culture change within the force, which he believes has been instrumental in the progress.
Encampment Strategy and Holistic Support
The city's approach to homeless encampments was cited as a direct contributor to the improved crime statistics. Hyggen explained that entrenched encampments were previously linked to serious criminal activity, including assaults and gang operations. The city's encampment strategy, funded by council, focuses not just on removal but on connecting individuals with essential support services. An outreach team works to guide people to community resources, a method Hyggen described as extremely successful.
Selling Lethbridge to Solve the Doctor Shortage
While acknowledging that physician hiring falls under provincial jurisdiction, Mayor Hyggen detailed the city's proactive role in making Lethbridge an attractive destination for medical professionals. The plan centers on active promotion of the city's lifestyle advantages.
He shared an anecdote from a local cardiologist who moved to Lethbridge after being persuaded by its merits as a safe community ideal for raising a family. The city's size—not too big and not too small—proximity to Calgary for major urban needs, and abundant amenities like trails, pools, and rinks were key selling points. Hyggen emphasized that this personal, community-driven sales pitch is the model for attracting more doctors to settle in Lethbridge.
As his new term begins, Hyggen's agenda is clear: leverage the momentum from public safety victories to tackle the healthcare access crisis, ensuring Lethbridge remains a vibrant and secure place to live and work.
