Regina Minute: Campaign Expenditures, Fluoride Reconsideration, and a Massive Tax Increase

Regina Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Regina politics

This Week In Regina:

• On Wednesday, at 9:00 am, there will be a meeting of the Executive Committee. The Committee will review the 2025 budgets and levy rates for the Regina Downtown and Warehouse Business Improvement Districts. They will also discuss deferring the start dates for the multi-family food and yard waste service and consider approving lease agreements with the Regina Auto Racing Club for King's Park Speedway and the Regina Rugby Clubhouse. The Committee will also review land and real estate strategies for City-owned properties.
  
  
• Councillor Clark Bezo is calling for a reconsideration of the 2021 decision to add fluoride to the city's water supply, reopening a longstanding debate on its potential health effects. Bezo's motion seeks to delay fluoridation until Council receives conclusive evidence that it poses no significant neurotoxic or other health risks. The program was set to begin in late 2026 following upgrades to the Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant. Bezo cited public concerns raised during his election campaign, questioning whether fluoridation benefits the entire community or only a segment of it. The reconsideration motion is expected to be debated after the City's budget meetings later in March.
  
  
• Regina residents are reporting significant spikes in their water bills following the installation of new water meters, with some facing unexplained charges of hundreds of dollars. One resident, who saw a sudden 67,000-liter usage on her meter, created a Facebook group that quickly grew to over 1,300 members sharing similar concerns. Many residents have struggled to get clear answers from the City, which insists the new meters improve billing accuracy and are factory-calibrated. Some homeowners are now refusing installation, though the City warns that the upgrade is mandatory and could lead to service disconnection if declined.

Last Week In Regina:

• Regina’s proposed 2025 budget includes an 8.5% property tax increase and a 5.82% utility rate hike. City officials argue the increases are necessary after years of keeping rate hikes below the level required to meet growing demands. Planned investments include $96 million for road improvements, $59 million for transit upgrades, and $27 million for a new indoor aquatics facility set to open in 2028. Officials say much of the budget reflects commitments made by the previous Council. Deliberations on the budget will begin on March 17th.
  
  
• Regina’s 2024 mayoral race defied traditional campaign spending norms, with Chad Bachynski securing victory after spending just $12,088. His grassroots, word-of-mouth approach contrasted with his opponents, as Sandra Masters spent $61,798 and Lori Bresciani allocated $24,208 to her campaigns. Bachynski’s financial disclosure listed only personal donations, with no corporate contributions. Among Council candidates, most spent over $10,000, with the highest expenditures coming from Shobna Radons and Dan Rashovich. Two candidates failed to file their financial disclosures on time, risking fines and disqualification from future elections.
  
  
• Mayor Chad Bachynski stated that less than 1% of the City’s procurement comes from the US, positioning Regina well amid the ongoing on-again-off-again trade dispute. He emphasized the City's commitment to further reducing reliance on American suppliers in favour of a "Canada-first" approach. Despite concerns about tariffs, he does not anticipate significant budgetary impacts from the trade war.