Lethbridge County to cancel Sunny South News subscriptions for residents

Posted on April 9, 2026 by Sunny South News

By Kristine Jean
Sunny South News

Lethbridge County will no longer be paying for resident subscriptions to the Sunny South News. 

That decision was made at the County’s April 2, regular council meeting, after councillors approved second and third reading of Bylaw 26-008, Lethbridge County’s new Advertising and Public Notification Bylaw, by a vote of 5-2. 

Coun. Eric Van Essen and Coun. Lorne Hickey both voted against the bylaw in second and third readings.   

In addition to passing the bylaw, a motion was made to rescind Policy 106 effective Dec. 31, 2026 – which relates to the County’s paid resident subscriptions to the Sunny South News, and a second motion was made to direct administration to implement a phased resident communication plan through the remainder of 2026, to promote awareness of and transition primarily to the County’s digital communication channels. 

While there was no discussion or questions on Bylaw-26-008 at the Public Hearing from County residents, Lethbridge County’s new Director of Growth and Engagement, Trevor Lewington, briefly spoke about the bylaw and pointed out public awareness of the bylaw that included a front page article in the March 24 edition of the Sunny South News.  

Lewington noted four emailed submissions were received by the County but there were six numbered (1-6) written submissions provided in the April 2 council agenda package. One person also registered to speak virtually at the Public Hearing. 

“At its core, the decision before Council is not simply about advertising channels or subscription costs, rather, it’s more of a philosophical one, about how Lethbridge County communicates with the people it serves, and whether the tools we use reflect both our identity and our direction,” said Lewington, describing the role and vision he sees for the County. “Lethbridge County has positioned itself as the most innovative agricultural community in Canada. That vision demands the County lead, not lag, in how it connects with residents. The question is not whether local print journalism has value in the abstract as it may well have value to those who choose it,” explained Lewington. “The question rather, is whether $60,000 of ratepayer funds spent annually on a single print format represents the best use of that investment, whether that format reflects how the majority of County residents actually seek and receive information, and whether the County’s communications strategy serves the full breadth of its community.”

He pointed out that nothing in the proposed bylaw or policy change would prevent any resident from choosing to subscribe to the Sunny South News “on their own.”

“This is not about eliminating local journalism. It’s simply a deliberate choice on how public funds are spent and through which channels the County communicates,” he added, noting the remaining part of the report contained  information responding to the written submissions, and that the recommendation from administration remained the same – that they proceed with second and third readings of Bylaw 26-008, repeal Policy 106 effective Dec. 31, 2026 and direct administration to implement a phased resident communication plan through the remainder of the year to promote awareness of and transition primarily to the County’s digital communication channels. 

Councillors did share some comments and asked questions following the closure of the Public Hearing.   

“In talking to quite a few people now, I have received opposition to the fact they will not be getting the paper anymore and (they) have asked me not to support this and I can see their point of view,” said Coun. Hickey. “So I would not support eliminating the newspaper.”

Lethbridge County Reeve Tory Campbell asked to clarify a comment made by Coun. Hickey.  

“We’re not eliminating the newspaper, correct?” said Campbell, noting some confusion surrounding this, as found in the comments they received. “I do think there’s a bit of a misunderstanding as to what’s happening. There is still very much an opportunity for people to purchase a subscription and receive a paper. I just want to be crystal clear about that,” he said.  

Coun. Mark Sayers also pointed out the confusion and misunderstanding he believes exists around the bylaw and policy change. 

“It’s not getting rid of the paper – it’s just taking away the expense from the County because of the data we’ve collected around the use and (number of) people who actually read the paper,” said Sayer. “So to those folks out there that still use it and read it, I do – I’m quite happy to pay for my subscription and do that, so that’s an option that needs to be clarified because that’s one of the pieces that’s been floating around out there, that’s created a concern and issue,” he said, moving that council proceed with second reading. 

Coun. Eric Van Essen asked if the County still plans on putting any notices in the Sunny South News.  

Lewington noted the plan as proposed is to use the remainder of the year to educate residents on “other options” including various digital channels they have and they would “move principally to digital delivery beginning in January of next year,” said Lewington, adding that it would not preclude them from using print advertising as there are some things outlined in the MGA for example, that requires print advertising, such as Franchise Fees. 

Van Essen also shared some comments to council and noted how it’s been stated that Lethbridge County is the most innovative County and asked “but does innovation limit using print, (because we are) working towards the future,” said Van Essen, noting the County has expanded its own in-house print magazine and pointed out the magazine’s positive reception. “How do we balance that against our other commentary?” 

Coun. John Kuerbis pointed out some reasons for streamlining the planning and development office, when it comes to advertising and public notification. 

“The larger question here is just, in streamlining our planning and development office, in the sense of  because there is a current requirement on there that we advertise in the print (media) and the only print is the Sunny South News, that it puts a bottle neck on a weekly basis of our planning department approving any of the development permits that go out because it has to be that timeline and the weekly notice,” explained Kuerbis, noting the move towards more digital communications to inform residents about what’s available, as well as notify neighbours. He said he supports the bylaw and pointed to pressures and expected time efficiencies when providing development permits.  

“I think it’s critical that we make sure that we look at ways to make sure administration is as efficient as possible,” said Kuerbis. “I think this is less about the money spent about the Sunny South (News) and more about the resources that we’re trying to maximize internally with administration.”         

Prior to third reading, Reeve Campbell shared a few final words on the bylaw and pointed out that he “received zero feedback” on it, which shocked him, as he expected some input from residents. He said he read through the (written) comments provided to them and noted the misunderstanding on the direction that was proposed to Council by administration. 

“I would agree with the commentary from administration. I think things change, times change and I think we have to find a way to move along with that,” said Campbell, noting in his opinion, that what’s being proposed is not “an indictment of print media.”

“I think it’s much larger than that. It’s what the print media is, how it fits into the bigger picture of advertising, what we want to advertise, how we want to advertise it, how accurately we want to advertise it,” he said, pointing out the amazing opportunity they have at the County with an amazing team, to share with the world, what they’re doing at Lethbridge County in a variety of different ways. 

“Whether that’s through print, through online, through billboards. We have opportunities to share the message and we have an ability to share it in a crystal clear way that really speaks to what the message is,” he added. “There’s no ambiguity, there’s no misinformation as to what is and what isn’t. I think that is a tremendous opportunity that I find, as the world changes, as we continue to fight misinformation and bad information – so if we can find a way to try and combat that, I fully support it.” 

He noted the tremendous brand at Lethbridge County and how the team has shared that brand and vision. 

Campbell also said he understands some people’s concerns and frustrations over the County’s decision and referenced a memory when he was a child and how excited he was being on the cover of the Sunny South News. 

“I think it was what it was at the time, but I think now when I see myself on the front page of the Sunny South (News) in this role, I’m usually misquoted or misrepresented and I think that’s extremely disappointing,” said Campbell. “I’m not trying to sling mud here, I’m just trying to say it is what it is and we have to see it for what it is and if we can somehow share a message in a way that represents what we are and what we’re trying to do, I fully support that.”  

Campbell acknowledged how hard it (the transition to digital) could be for some, but again stated his full support for the bylaw. He appreciated the discussion and position by council.