Reader disappointed with lack of clarity regarding County newspaper decision

Posted on May 21, 2026 by Sunny South News

Over the past two months information has been shared in the Sunny South News (both print and e-format) that highlighted the County of Lethbridge’s decision to no longer fund the subscription fees for County residents as they transition to their own digital communication channels. 

While I fully support any effort by our elected officials to reduce taxes and associated costs in delivering services, I must admit I was disappointed in the lack of clarity on the validation processes used to make this decision. The annual subscription cost of the Sunny South News is $34.29 + GST (not counting the further discount for seniors), the County of Lethbridge number of residences is approximately 3,137 which means this service should cost $112,000 yet the County says it is a $60,000 line item in the budget – something doesn’t add up. Does this fee include the multiple notices and advisories placed on a weekly basis? If so, this is actually a smokin’ great deal! 

Councillor Mark Sayers is quoted as saying; “…..because of the data we’ve collected around the use and (number of) people who actually read the paper”. 

This would indicate some sort of survey must have been conducted to gauge readership and the value we as residents feel the Sunny South Newspaper (be it print or electronic) provides as part of our taxes. Was some sort of survey conducted to determine if the businesses, community groups and the County will continue to financially support the paper through purchasing advertisements? But, then again, the Sunny South Newspaper is a for-profit company owned by the Alta Newspaper Group LP, so maybe like all businesses we should just let the consumer determine its value through individual subscriptions?

Yes, times are changing. Readership from all printed formats across Canada continue to show a shift to digital and/or a reduction in subscriptions. Having access to digital reporting reduces the environmental impact and allows for immediate reporting and consumption of the news. In the past 15 years, 54 community newspapers have shut down in Alberta, 30 in just the past seven years. Maybe this is important or maybe it is just a statistic, but I do question will the Sunny South newspaper survive with the loss of its biggest customer? 

Yes, times are changing and perhaps I’m just too old to appreciate the benefits of receiving all my news electronically, but somehow I would miss holding an actual newspaper to read, to cut out the odd article to place in the memory book for my family and holy cow, somehow I don’t think my bird is going to appreciate the electronic version over the printed format in its cage! 

Yes, times are changing but for now, please sign me up for my weekly paid copy of the Sunny South News to be delivered to my mail box. Thanks for the many years of dedicated reporting, community support and it is my sincerest hope this newspaper will continue to be part of our community no matter the format. To the County Council, thank you also for your dedication, time and for being brave enough to sometimes have to make difficult decisions, it is a difficult and often under appreciated role. 

Kim J. Laing, Monarch