Regina Minute: Issue 105

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

📅 This Week In Regina: 📅

• City Council has confirmed it cannot fund the renewal of the downtown Central Library due to insufficient debt capacity, leaving the project, in planning since 2009, on hold. The decision comes as the City prioritizes a $1.7-billion list of critical infrastructure projects, including a $120-million wastewater treatment plant upgrade, which has pushed the library project beyond 2030. The Regina Public Library board, frustrated after nearly two decades of planning and $2 million invested in design work, must now explore alternative funding options such as government grants, a dedicated library mill rate, scaled-down renovations, or charging patrons for services. Board Chair Marj Gavigan stressed that the renewal is not over, but some of the progress made may be lost, and she urged City Hall to better integrate library priorities into the capital plan. Mayor Chad Bachynski acknowledged the board’s frustration as valid and committed to improving communication on capital project decisions in the future. The library will no longer move forward with developer consultations from a public tender and will need to rethink its approach to the project. 
  
  
• Council has approved updates to the Animal Bylaw, including higher fines for loose or aggressive dogs, stricter leash requirements, and measures to track bites and penalize repeat offenders. Dangerous dog orders can now be sought before court hearings, giving the City more tools to manage problem animals. Council also directed Administration to continue reviewing the bylaw, with a second phase focusing on cats, responsible pet ownership, and outdoor tethering rules, including standards for equipment and weather conditions. These changes follow public concerns and aim to prevent incidents before they occur, rather than only reacting afterward. The Regina Humane Society supported the updates and emphasized giving animal control officers more authority to intervene early. A second phase of consultation will occur this year, with further recommendations expected by the end of 2027. 
  
  
• Council has finalized a 10% increase in City bus fares, effective April 8th, after a 6-5 vote approving the final reading of the Transit Fare Bylaw. The hike affects all fare types, raising cash fares from $3.25 to $3.50 and electronic fares from $2.90 to $3.20, with monthly passes also increasing across adult, youth, senior, and post-secondary categories. Children aged 13 and under continue to ride for free. The decision, initially agreed to in December as part of budget measures to help limit the 2026 mill rate increase to 10.9%, faced delays and opposition from Council members and transit advocates who called for more affordable alternatives. Council had previously postponed votes in February and March while exploring other ways to raise revenue, but no alternatives were found. Regina last raised transit fares in 2017, and bus ridership has grown to record levels, reaching nine million rides in 2025.
  
  
• Mayor Chad Bachynski is pushing for faster, more coordinated construction as the City enters another busy season, building on frustrations with accessibility and disruptions highlighted during his 2024 campaign. He has submitted a motion asking Administration for a report on continuous improvement in construction practices, including possibilities for extended or 24-hour work, coordination with other projects, and adopting best practices from other cities. The review will also examine whether bylaws or contracts need adjustments to enable these changes, with findings expected in the first quarter of next year. The motion comes as crews prepare for year two of the Albert Street North bridge replacement and the final construction season of the 11th Avenue Revitalization Project. Bachynski emphasized using lessons learned from past disruptions, including sidewalk closures, to reduce the impact on residents and businesses. 
  
  
• The Saskatchewan government has paused funding for several Regina Public Schools projects to ensure long-term financial sustainability. Impacted developments include renovations to Campbell Collegiate and two new joint-use schools in The Towns neighbourhood. Although Campbell Collegiate has documented structural issues, officials stated there is no immediate safety risk to students. However, the renovation delay is expected to last two to four years. Local administrators expressed disappointment, noting that existing schools in The Towns are already over capacity. To address overcrowding, the school board has installed portable classrooms and is considering enrollment restrictions or boundary changes. While a decrease in immigration may help manage student numbers until 2029, officials warn that further delays will require more significant measures, such as transporting students across the city. The board plans to meet with the Ministry of Education to clarify future timelines.

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

City Council says it can’t fund the long-planned Central Library renewal due to limited debt capacity, pushing the project beyond 2030 while prioritizing other major infrastructure upgrades. 

What do you think - should the City find a way to prioritize the library, or focus on other initiatives first?

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