Blaine Hyggen wins squeaker to become next Lethbridge mayor
Blaine Hyggen speaks to supporters Monday night after narrowly winning the election to become the new mayor of Lethbridge, Alta.
LETHBRIDGE, Alta. -
Blaine Hyggen is the new mayor of Lethbridge after narrowly defeating former councillor Bridget Mearns Monday night.
Hyggen received 11, 973 votes to Mears' 11, 465.
He takes over from outgoing mayor Chris Spearman, who stepped down after two terms in office.
"I’m at a loss for words," Hyggen said in an interview with CTV News Monday night. "There’s a lot going through my head. We started off the night where I was behind by just 11 votes in this election and it happened to kick in a few more polls and it came up from there and I’m extremely excited.
"It made for an exciting evening, that’s for sure.”
He said his first priority will be to reach out to other members of Lethbridge council.
“I’m definitely going to connect with my fellow councillors and let’s just find out exactly what their thoughts are," he said. "We do have four new and four incumbents so it’s important to find out what they’re thinking for the next four years and definitely get together and collaborate.”
He also congratulated Mearns, a former two-term councillor, for a competitive effort.
“I had the opportunity of working with Bridget for over three and a half years and Bridget is a contender, I’ll tell you what. We had a great campaign, together. She was very strong and she needs to be recognized for that because I’ve got nothing but respect for Bridget.”
With files from Sean Marks, CTV Lethbridge
Shopping Trends
The Shopping Trends team is independent of the journalists at CTV News. We may earn a commission when you use our links to shop. Read about us.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Mark Carney tells Jon Stewart the Liberal party has 'a chance' after Trudeau's resignation
Days ahead of his expected Liberal leadership campaign launch, former Bank of Canada and Bank of England governor Mark Carney says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's decision to step down boosts the party's chance in the next general election.
Harm reduction advocates hope high court will 'clarify' Canada's 'Good Samaritan' law
Canada's Good Samaritan law, which is meant to shield people from arrest after they seek help for someone in medical distress, is under spotlight in the Supreme Court of Canada.
'We can live our lives again without worrying': Ontario man relieved after insurance company agrees to pay $620,000 hospital bill
An Ontario man who received a $620,000 medical bill from a Florida hospital is now relieved that his insurance company has reversed its decision and decided to pay the bill.
Queen Elizabeth II wasn't told about Soviet spy in her palace, declassified MI5 files show
Queen Elizabeth II wasn’t told details of her long-time art adviser's double life as a Soviet spy because palace officials didn’t want to add to her worries, newly declassified documents reveal.
Hamas has accepted a draft agreement for a Gaza ceasefire and the release of hostages, officials say
Hamas has accepted a draft agreement for a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and the release of dozens of hostages, two officials involved in the talks said Tuesday. Mediator Qatar said the negotiations were at the “closest point” yet to sealing a deal.
Kate Middleton, Princess of Wales, visits hospital where she had cancer treatment
Kate, Princess of Wales, visited a London hospital on Tuesday where she underwent cancer treatment last year to personally thank medics there for their care and support, her office said.
Why is Spain considering a 100 per cent tax on homes bought by non-EU residents?
Spain is planning a raft of measures to address its brewing housing crisis, including an up to 100% tax on properties bought by non-European Union residents.
Pete Hegseth, Trump's nominee for defence secretary, faces crucial test at confirmation hearing
U.S. President-elect Donald Trump’s choice for defence secretary, Pete Hegseth, calls himself a “change agent” heading into a potentially explosive confirmation hearing Tuesday as senators question whether the former combat veteran and TV news show host is fit to lead the U.S. military.
Strong winds forecast for Los Angeles threaten area's fight against fires
Additional water tankers and scores of firefighters have arrived at the Los Angeles area ahead of fierce winds that were forecast to return and threaten the progress made so far on two massive infernos that have destroyed thousands of homes and killed at least 24 people.
Edmonton
-
Mark Carney appears on 'The Daily Show,' sources say he plans to launch leadership bid in Edmonton
A big name with ties to the city is expected to launch his bid to become the leader of the federal Liberal party, two sources tell CTV News Edmonton.
-
Strong winds forecast for Los Angeles threaten area's fight against fires
Additional water tankers and scores of firefighters have arrived at the Los Angeles area ahead of fierce winds that were forecast to return and threaten the progress made so far on two massive infernos that have destroyed thousands of homes and killed at least 24 people.
-
Oilers' Skinner bounces back with superb effort, shutout against Kings
It was a game that had a playoff vibe and Edmonton Oilers goalie Stuart Skinner answered the bell accordingly.
Lethbridge
-
'Cautiously optimistic': Home sales and starts expected to rise in Lethbridge in 2025
Those in Lethbridge's real estate sector are expecting anther busy year, with both home sales and starts expected to rise in 2025.
-
What Alberta is doing to prevent wildfires in Canmore, Bow Valley
As Alberta nears the start of another wildfire season, there are efforts underway to safeguard against wildfires in Canmore and the Bow Valley.
-
'Good neighbours': Montana residents share thoughts on Trump's '51st state' threat
As U.S. president-elect Donald Trump threatens to annex Canada, some residents in Montana are sharing their thoughts on the idea of Canada becoming the “51st state.”
Vancouver
-
Ecotour grizzlies less likely to encounter conflict with humans, B.C. study suggests
Grizzly bears that visited ecotourism areas along a river on the province's central coast were less likely than others to encounter conflict with people in communities downstream, a new study by British Columbia-based researchers has found.
-
'No stone will be left unturned’ B.C. assembles team to fight Trump tariffs
The provincial government is assembling a group of business and labour leaders to strategize the best way to deal with looming tariffs threats from president-elect Donald Trump.
-
A B.C. man won a $2M jackpot. Members of his workplace lotto pool took him to court
A dispute over a $2 million jackpot among members of a workplace lotto pool has been settled by B.C.'s Supreme Court.
Vancouver Island
-
Ecotour grizzlies less likely to encounter conflict with humans, B.C. study suggests
Grizzly bears that visited ecotourism areas along a river on the province's central coast were less likely than others to encounter conflict with people in communities downstream, a new study by British Columbia-based researchers has found.
-
B.C. Conservatives want RCMP to investigate alleged voting irregularities
The B.C. Conservatives are ratcheting up claims there were "voting irregularities" in a pivotal riding – demanding an "urgent RCMP investigation" into the party's allegations.
-
Poilievre visits B.C. as poll shows Conservative support growing in the province
Federal Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre began a weeklong tour of British Columbia on Monday, where recent polling suggests support for his party continues to grow.
Saskatoon
-
Sask. teen who allegedly set classmate on fire scheduled to plea next month
A teen girl who allegedly set her classmate on fire is set to make a plea at Saskatoon Provincial Court next month.
-
Three dead after two separate crashes on Highway 7 west of Saskatoon
Three people are dead following two separate multi-vehicle collisions on a small stretch of Highway 7 on Sunday.
-
Keith Urban announces fall concert stops in Regina and Saskatoon
Country music star Keith Urban will be performing two shows in Saskatchewan as part of his upcoming 'High and Alive World Tour.'
Regina
-
Former Regina mayoral candidate Nathaniel Hewton released with conditions
Nathaniel Hewton, a mayoral candidate in the 2024 Regina civic election has been released from custody with several conditions in place.
-
Keith Urban announces fall concert stops in Regina and Saskatoon
Country music star Keith Urban will be performing two shows in Saskatchewan as part of his upcoming 'High and Alive World Tour.'
-
'Exploring all options': Leaders in Sask. look to next steps as tariffs look likely
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says tariffs are coming and that its time to prepare - which has led to discussions in Saskatchewan over next steps.
Toronto
-
'We can live our lives again without worrying': Ontario man relieved after insurance company agrees to pay $620,000 hospital bill
An Ontario man who received a $620,000 medical bill from a Florida hospital is now relieved that his insurance company has reversed its decision and decided to pay the bill.
-
Man allegedly posed as investment broker, contractor to defraud victims: Toronto police
Toronto police say an arrest has been made after a man allegedly posed as both an investment broker and contractor to defraud multiple victims.
-
Mark Carney tells Jon Stewart the Liberal party has 'a chance' after Trudeau's resignation
Days ahead of his expected Liberal leadership campaign launch, former Bank of Canada and Bank of England governor Mark Carney says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's decision to step down boosts the party's chance in the next general election.
Montreal
-
'Everybody's stunned': Ottawa abruptly pauses electric vehicle rebate program
The federal government has abruptly paused its electric vehicle rebate program.
-
Major crash in St-Hubert leaves teen in critical condition
Longueuil police (SPAL) are investigating after a collision left a young man in critical in the Saint-Hubert borough on Monday night.
-
Woman stabbed in Montreal's Plateau, police investigating
Montreal police (SPVM) are investigating after a woman was stabbed in the Plateau.
Atlantic
-
Lower Sackville man shaken after house fire claims life of six-year-old girl
A Nova Scotia man is left shaken after his neighbour's home in Lower Sackville, N.S., caught fire over the weekend and claimed the life of a child.
-
'I want answers': SPCA removes dead dogs from front porch of New Brunswick home
The New Brunswick SPCA is investigating after the bodies of four dogs were removed from the front porch of a home in Bass River, N.B., Monday morning.
-
Friend of fatally stabbed Halifax teen changes his testimony in youth court
The trial for a Halifax-area youth accused of participating in the fatal stabbing last year of a 16-year-old student heard Monday from one of the victim's close friends.
Winnipeg
-
Murder trial begins for Manitoba man accused of running down, shooting neighbour
A trial has started for a Manitoba man accused of running down and shooting his neighbour before fleeing the province.
-
Survey: Nearly half in Manitoba, Saskatchewan on the financial brink
A new MNP consumer debt report done by Ipsos said in Manitoba and Saskatchewan, nearly half, 49 per cent of people, say they are $200 or less away from not being able to pay their bills or their debt payments at the end of the month.
-
Arrest made in Portage la Prairie double homicide: RCMP
Manitoba RCMP has made an arrest in connection with a double homicide in Portage la Prairie, Man., last month.
Ottawa
-
16 per cent of all photo radar, red light camera tickets in Ottawa issued on a 1 km stretch of road
King Edward Avenue is the hot spot for photo radar and red light camera tickets, with 16 per cent of all camera-related traffic tickets in Ottawa issued to drivers on a one-kilometre stretch of the road in Lowertown.
-
NEW THIS MORNING
NEW THIS MORNING Lack of chargers a top concern for EV owners, but most would still buy another: CAA
A new survey of thousands of electric vehicle (EV) owners suggests that a lack of accessible charging stations is their main concern, but most would still buy another when the time comes.
-
Highway 17 closed between Pembroke and Cobden following Tuesday morning fatal crash
Ontario Provincial Police say emergency crews responded to a collision on the highway between County Road 24/White Water Road in Pembroke and Main Street in Cobden before 4 a.m.
Northern Ontario
-
Sudbury’s speed cameras will move this month
Sudbury’s automated speed enforcement cameras are moving to new locations this month.
-
A B.C. man won a $2M jackpot. Members of his workplace lotto pool took him to court
A dispute over a $2 million jackpot among members of a workplace lotto pool has been settled by B.C.'s Supreme Court.
-
'We can live our lives again without worrying': Ontario man relieved after insurance company agrees to pay $620,000 hospital bill
An Ontario man who received a $620,000 medical bill from a Florida hospital is now relieved that his insurance company has reversed its decision and decided to pay the bill.
Barrie
-
Snow squall watches and warnings abound across central Ontario
Northern areas of central Ontario could see up to 60 centimetres of snow today.
-
School bus cancellations across central Ontario
Several school boards have cancelled school transportation in areas expected to feel the worst of the snowstorm.
-
Another historical sexual assault charge laid against Beeton, Ont. man
A Beeton man is facing another count of sexual assault following an investigation by provincial police.
Kitchener
-
Toronto man wanted in connection to shooting at Waterloo business
Jalen Belle-McCormack, 20, from Toronto, is currently wanted on a warrant in connection to a shooting at a Waterloo business on May 18, 2024.
-
WRPS investigating 'serious' 2-vehicle collision in Cambridge, charges anticipated
Police say they were called to the area of Blair Road and Langdon Drive around 9:15 p.m. Monday for reports of a collision between a white Volkswagen and an orange Dodge.
-
Mark Carney tells Jon Stewart the Liberal party has 'a chance' after Trudeau's resignation
Days ahead of his expected Liberal leadership campaign launch, former Bank of Canada and Bank of England governor Mark Carney says Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's decision to step down boosts the party's chance in the next general election.
London
-
Convicted field party killer pleads guilty to weapons charge
The 23-year-old man convicted in the bush party shooting of a teenager was back in court again on Monday, this time pleading guilty to a weapons offence.
-
Grieving mother hopes to implement Life Jacket Loaner program in Elgin County
Ryan Davies and his friends were out for an early morning fishing trip in the man-made lake when the canoe tipped over. Two people were rescued, but Davies, 26, never resurfaced.
-
Jury shown police interview with accused charged in death of her mother
The jury at the manslaughter trial of a London woman charged in connection with the death of her mother in July of 2021, viewed forensic photos of the accused and a police interview conducted just hours after the incident.
Windsor
-
Vigil shines light on 26-year-old’s disappearance
Co-workers and customers gathered outside the workplace of a missing 26-year-old woman Monday evening to bring light to her disappearance.
-
Chatham to Lakeshore transmission line completed a head of schedule
The Ontario government and Hydro One announced on Monday that the construction on the Chatham to Lakeshore transmission line had been completed one year ahead of schedule.
-
Class action lawsuit nears $7.3 million settlement for Westcourt Place tenants
A class action lawsuit filed by Windsor law firm Strosberg Wingfield Sasso LLP is nearing the finish line and a $7.3 million payout for its members following a fire that has left the Wescourt Place highrise vacant for more than five years.
