LETHBRIDGE – The dramatic provincial election just over six months ago that swept the NDP into power brought a range of changes that have made their way into Alberta.
Alberta Environment Minister Shannon Phillips was back in her home riding of Lethbridge West speaking to residents who say the changes may not be coming fast enough.
“These things do not happen overnight,” said Phillips. “Particularly when we are considering matters of important public policy and inequality and healthcare and education systems.”
The packed room had residents armed with questions for the minister.
“I’m very concerned about our environment,” said retired United Nations director and Lethbridge resident Trevor Page. “I wanted to hear what the minister responsible for the environment in Alberta has to say in general terms.”
Page said his main concern is to continue the protection of the headwaters for the South Saskatchewan river basin.
“Air quality is on everybody’s minds with the Paris climate change conference almost upon us,” said Page. “But, water is really important to us too. There’s no life without water.”
Phillips said in the past six months the province has made changes in Lethbridge that residents can already see.
“There were environmental initiatives such as ending commercial logging in the Castle region that we undertook as one of the first items of business as a government,” said Phillips. “We are very proud of that.”
The GreenTRIP funding to public transit, vowing to complete the trades and technologies building at Lethbridge College and funding the destination project at the University of Lethbridge have also all been implemented since the NDP government took power.
Phillips believes she and Lethbridge east MLA Maria Fitzpatrick have already given a strong voice to Lethbridge in the legislature.
“We are dedicated to serving our community, both of us,” added Phillips. “Maria is an excellent constituency and city spokesperson and has made sure that people from Lethbridge are introduced into the legislature in way they never have been before.”
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