Lethbridge is looking to become a Bee City. Councillor Jeff Carlson brought a motion to council’s May 2 meeting to have city administration apply to become a Bee City through Bee City Canada. Carlson said most of the benefits of being a member are educational.
“A lot of it is around building community conversations around local healthy food,” he said. “It also opens conversations about reducing chemicals that are harmful to pollinators in our food systems.”
If the city is declared a Bee City, there will be awareness activities throughout International Pollinator Week from June 19-25 and the city will challenge other municipalities to also become bee cities.
The motion carried 7-2, with councillors Rajko Dodic and John Middleton-Hope opposed.
“This is a feel-good resolution that has been supported by only anecdotal information provided by members of council. There’s no supporting documentation whatsoever,” Dodic said. “I personally feel, from my perspective, that our citizen would like us to make decision based on information provided.”
The first year of being a Bee City is free, but after that will be $500 a year. Dodic added his opposition had nothing to do with the cost of the resolution, but just the lack of information.
City staff said the city could change its mind after a year and it will cost nothing.