News

zmason@medicinehatnews.com A new bill tabled Monday introduces another round of changes to legislation governing recalls and citizen initiative petitions. Bill 23 would update several pieces of legislation, including the Citizen Initiative Act and the Recall Act. “We are committed to protecting the integrity of our elections and our democracy, and we believe that these amendments [...] Read More »

newsdesk@medicinehatnews.com Alberta is updating the legislation that outlines protections for animals. If passed, Bill 22 will update the Animal Protection Act for the first time in 20 years. “Whether it’s livestock on a farm or pets, animals deserve appropriate care and to be protected from distress. It’s an important topic,” said Minister of Agriculture and [...] Read More »

newsdesk@medicinehatnews.com A large vegetable processing company is closing its facility in Lethbridge, taking 70 jobs with it. Nortera, a frozen and canned vegetable processor, will shut down its facility in June as part of a consolidation of the company’s Canadian facilities. There are 13 Nortera plants across Canada and the U.S., processing and marketing more [...] Read More »

newsdesk@medicinehatnews.com John Lewis, 45, of no fixed address, faces several charges after a patrol section officer discovered methamphetamine, ammunition and an air pistol during a traffic stop in the early morning hours Saturday. According to the Medicine Hat Police Service, an officer pulled over a 2007 Volkswagen Rabbit in the 600 block of College Drive, [...] Read More »

newsdesk@medicinehatnews.com Ronald Bell, former fire chief of the Medicine Hat Fire Department, has passed away at the age of 93. Bell began his 33-year career with the fire department in 1960 serving as firefighter for 17 years before being promoted to deputy chief of fire prevention in 1977. In 1982, Bell was promoted to deputy [...] Read More »

OTTAWA — Human rights. Equality for women. The plight of African families decimated by HIV-AIDS. Stephen Lewis spent a lifetime fighting for causes close to his heart — and his weapons of choice were words. Lewis died on Tuesday, at the age of 88, after an eight-year battle with stomach cancer. “Stephen spent the last [...] Read More »

OTTAWA — A retired fire chief says First Nations’ firefighting operations in northern Ontario are being set up to fail and need better equipment and training from Indigenous Services Canada Monique Belair worked for 39 years for Kingston Fire and Rescue and now works with a group of five northern Ontario First Nations. She says [...] Read More »

RICHMOND — Spectacular displays of blooming spring blossoms in Metro Vancouver have prompted a warning from police and municipal officials to admirers about illegal parking and disruptive behaviour. RCMP in Richmond, B.C., say the cherry blossoms are stopping traffic and drawing large crowds along Russ Baker Way near Vancouver International Airport, where the trees are [...] Read More »

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney says he has “absolutely not” been considering proroguing Parliament if he gains a majority in a series of upcoming byelections. Speaking at a news conference with reporters in Wakefield, Que., today, the prime minister said the idea “never even entered” his mind. The Globe and Mail newspaper reported the [...] Read More »

OTTAWA — Former politician and longtime Canadian social activist Stephen Lewis has died. Lewis, Canada’s former ambassador to the United Nations and one-time leader of the NDP in Ontario, was 88. He is the father of Avi Lewis, who was elected leader of the federal NDP on Sunday. The Stephen Lewis Foundation announced his death [...] Read More »

Over 200 Blood Tribe members took part in The Blood Tribe Resource Fair Thursday in Standoff. The event was the first of its kind, says Levi Little Moustache, Director of Blood Tribe Employment and Skills Training (BTEST). “The event today was a collaboration of all the HR departments (including) all the departments under Blood Tribe, [...] Read More »

LETHBRIDGE HERALDapulido@lethbridgeherald.com Misconduct allegations from more than five years ago finally culminated in a disciplinary hearing for Lethbridge Police Service Chief Shahin Mehdizadeh this week. The Lethbridge Police Commission held the hearing Thursday at City Hall to address misconduct allegations against Mehdizadeh regarding an incident that took place in March 2021. The allegations were made [...] Read More »

LETHBRIDGE HERALDjmanio@lethbridgeherald.com A perpetual challenge for not-for-profit organizations is funding for their charitable work. In support of its continuing mission, Lethbridge Family Services (LFS) is hosting an inaugural gala called “Spring to Light” on April 25 at the Agri-Food Hub and Trade Center, featuring Canadian comedian, television personality, political satirist, and author Rick Mercer. “This [...] Read More »

LETHBRIDGE HERALDabeeber@lethbridgeherald.com The Alberta NDP and Friends of Medicare advocacy organization have raised alarms about the provincial government’s proposed legislation that will allow people suffering from addictions and mental illness who are deemed a threat to themselves or others to be treated against their will. On Tuesday, the government introduced Bill 53, the Compassionate Intervention [...] Read More »

Some Lethbridge homeowners might be surprised to see an almost 14 per cent increase in their education taxes when they get their property tax bill this spring. According to the Government of Alberta website, education property taxes are increasing for 2025-2026 after being frozen in 2024-2025. For Lethbridge residents, this will amount to a 13.8 [...] Read More »