Regina Minute: Folk Festival, Organics Collection, and Budget Deliberations Begin

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

This Week In Regina:

• This morning at 9:00 am, there will be a meeting of City Council. The main item on the agenda is the budget, which includes an 8.5% property tax increase and a 5.82% utility rate hike. The budget process was delayed from December due to the municipal election, which saw nine new councillors elected. This year, Council will set a one-year budget before returning to a two-year cycle in 2026. The debate will begin with the police budget. Discussions could last up to 5 days.
  
  
• Speaking of the budget, we think Regina should cut property taxes by 20%. For years, City Council has piled on tax hikes, stretching household budgets to fund wasteful pet projects instead of prioritizing core services. Essential services - like safe streets, clean water, and reliable transit - can be delivered more efficiently by cutting unnecessary bureaucracy and reining in wasteful spending. A 20% tax cut will put money back in your pocket while forcing City Hall to focus on what truly matters. If you agree, please sign our petition today!
  
  
• The Regina Folk Festival is shutting down after more than 50 years due to financial difficulties and operational constraints. Local musicians and longtime attendees expressed sadness over the loss, with many calling it a heartbreaking end to a beloved tradition. The festival had faced challenges in recent years, including pandemic-related disruptions, declining ticket sales, and funding shortages. Despite efforts to revive the event in 2025, organizers ultimately determined the obstacles were too great to overcome. The festival board thanked supporters, volunteers, and performers for their contributions and promised to outline next steps for the organization.

Last Week In Regina:

• Regina police have launched the Safe Neighbourhood Camera Registry, allowing residents to voluntarily register their security cameras to help officers quickly locate footage during investigations. The initiative aims to improve efficiency and enhance community involvement in crime prevention. Additionally, a pilot program called Neighbourhood Watch Link is being tested in the Arcola East Community Association to facilitate two-way communication between residents and police. The program includes designated officers attending community meetings and sharing updates through local leaders.
  
  
• The Executive Committee voted to delay the implementation of food and yard waste collection for condos until mid-2027, citing a lack of local processing capacity. The City initially planned to enforce the regulation in July 2024 but previously extended the deadline to July 2025. Despite recommendations for an 18-month delay, Councillors opted for a two-year extension, pushing the timeline even further. Some Councillors expressed concerns about the environmental impact, estimating that an additional 11,000 tonnes of waste would end up in the landfill. The City is still searching for a permanent composting facility after a proposed site in the R.M. of Edenwold was rejected. The final decision on the delay will be made at the March 26th Council meeting.
  
  
• A City Council Special Meeting has been announced for May 2nd to reconsider the planned addition of fluoride to the city’s drinking water. Fluoridation was approved in 2021 but was delayed until upgrades at the Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant were completed. Ward 10 Councillor Clark Bezo introduced a motion to revisit the decision, citing recent studies suggesting potential health risks. Residents who wish to speak at the meeting must register by noon on April 28th.