Regina Minute: Issue 104

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

📅 This Week In Regina: 📅

• City Council will meet on Wednesday at 1:00 pm. Councillor Shanon Zachidniak will introduce a motion to accelerate the replacement of aging asbestos-cement water pipes, which make up about 60% of the city’s distribution network and are nearing or past their expected lifespan. These deteriorating pipes are responsible for most water main breaks, increasing repair costs and water loss. The motion calls for a report by Q4 2026 outlining faster replacement scenarios. It also asks Administration to explore funding opportunities from provincial and federal programs, including national infrastructure funds and municipal organizations. 
  
  
• Councillor Jason Mancinelli will introduce a motion to review and potentially modify the City’s Accessible Playground Design Standard in response to concerns from community groups. While the current standards apply to all City-funded playgrounds, including those on school property, some groups have found them challenging to fully meet. The motion calls for consultation with stakeholders such as school boards, community associations, and the Accessibility Advisory Committee to better understand these concerns. It also directs Administration to explore possible adjustments to the standards while maintaining accessibility goals.
  
  
• Council will also review a motion that seeks to improve how construction projects are planned and delivered to increase efficiency and reduce disruptions. Tabled earlier in March, the proposal calls for a report by Q1 2027 outlining ways to better coordinate City and third-party construction work. It includes exploring innovations in procurement, materials, and equipment, as well as the potential for extended or even 24-hour construction hours. The motion also emphasizes improving communication with residents and businesses to better manage impacts. Additionally, it calls for benchmarking Regina’s practices against other Canadian municipalities and identifying necessary bylaw or policy changes. The goal is to strike a better balance between cost, speed, and community impact on projects.
  
  
• Mayor Chad Bachynski says he welcomes the Province’s $61 million in municipal revenue sharing but is pushing for greater flexibility and broader funding changes. He noted the funding is valuable partly because it comes without restrictions, allowing the City to allocate it where needed as projects and priorities shift. At the same time, rising construction costs and inflation are putting pressure on municipal budgets, which rely heavily on property taxes and cannot run deficits. The Mayor is advocating for a revised funding model, including removing provincial sales tax on municipal construction projects, arguing it creates a cycle that limits investment in infrastructure. He also plans to raise additional proposals at an upcoming Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association meeting, such as having the Province directly collect education property tax or compensate cities for administering it. 
  
  
• City Council is reviewing proposed updates to its animal bylaw following a 20% increase in dog bites and a 40% rise in roaming dogs since 2022. Administration's recommendations include allowing interim court orders to declare animals dangerous, requiring leashing in public, and increasing fines to manage dangerous animals more effectively. However, advocates argue the review fails to focus on preventative measures, noting that the suggestions still rely on attacks occurring before action is taken. They contend that fines are an insufficient deterrent for public safety and suggest more proactive steps, such as tracking owners with repeat violations.

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

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