Regina Minute: Issue 108

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

📅 This Week In Regina: 📅

• We're hosting a Pints & Politics event, in conjunction with our friends at the Saskatchewan Institute! We're going to keep things simple and just have some casual drinks, with no formal agenda, as an opportunity for everyone to get together with like-minded people, meet some of the team, and chat about politics. There's a lot going on, so there will be plenty of conversation topics. The event takes place on Wednesday, April 22nd. It’s free, but you’ll need to RSVP here.
  
  
• There will be a City Council meeting at 1:00 pm on Wednesday. On the agenda is an update to the Waste Plan which outlines major progress in waste management, upcoming regulatory changes, and a recommendation to shift City Council reporting from annual to biennial updates. Key accomplishments include a major increase in waste diversion from 20% to 40% after launching city-wide food and yard waste collection, along with the introduction of a user-pay system that has already led over 17,500 households to downsize their garbage carts. The City also implemented Extended Producer Responsibility in 2025, shifting recycling costs to SK Recycles and reducing annual user fees, while launching the SortSmart Rewards Program to improve waste sorting behaviour. Looking ahead, Regina is introducing mandatory organics and recycling requirements for multi-family and commercial properties between 2027 and 2028 to align waste systems across sectors. Additional initiatives include an assisted cart placement program for residents with mobility challenges, new litter reduction strategies, and a 25-year solid waste management plan set for 2028/2029. The City is also exploring landfill methane reduction technologies to comply with federal emissions regulations and lower greenhouse gas output.
  
  
• Also on the agenda are updates to the Regina Fire Bylaw. The updates are intended to strengthen the City’s fire prevention framework by aligning local rules with the National Fire Code of Canada and provincial safety legislation while replacing the 2018 bylaw. It introduces stricter safety requirements for smoke alarms, including permanent electrical connection, battery backup, and mandatory testing every six months with record-keeping obligations for property owners. The bylaw also tightens rules around open-air fires and fire pits, requiring permits, non-combustible materials, screens, and minimum setback distances, while adding responsibilities for securing vacant or fire-damaged buildings. It establishes a licensing system for private fire safety technicians and introduces new inspection fees, including charges for mobile food vendor inspections. Fireworks and pyrotechnics are more tightly regulated through a tiered permit system, seasonal sales restrictions, and bans on firecrackers and sky lanterns. Enforcement measures include penalties for false alarms and a structured fine system for violations, with provisions for reduced payments if issued fines are paid promptly.
  
  
• Saskatchewan is centralizing specialized pediatric surgeries by transferring newborns with complex needs from Regina to Saskatoon. This policy applies to premature and medically complex infants who require specialized procedures. Health officials explain that low case volumes in Regina, typically one to two cases per month, make it challenging for medical providers to maintain necessary skills and safety standards. While the change was requested by local physicians, the opposition NDP argues that transporting critically ill babies could lead to dangerous delays. In response, medical leaders state that transport teams are equipped to move infants safely and emphasize that prenatal planning will prioritize deliveries in Saskatoon. The provincial government maintains that this consolidation ensures high-quality care at the Jim Pattison Children’s Hospital. 
  
  
• Regina is receiving a portion of $25.9 million in combined government funding to improve water and wastewater infrastructure. In the city, these funds will support the Taylor Field Redevelopment, a seven-acre housing project located at the former home of the Saskatchewan Roughriders. Mayor Chad Bachynski stated that installing this infrastructure is the necessary first step before actual house construction can begin. While the Mayor views the investment as a sign of positive intergovernmental collaboration, he noted that Regina still faces an infrastructure deficit exceeding $700 million. The funding comes amid rising local housing costs, with the benchmark price for a home in Regina recently hitting a record $343,700. The provincial government indicates that investments across the participating cities could eventually enable up to 29,370 new housing units.

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

Join us for Pints & Politics!

Where: Birmingham's Vodka and Ale House (2635 Star Lite St, Regina)

When: Wednesday, April 22nd, 6:00 pm – 9:00 pm

Cost: Free (food and drinks not included)

RSVP: Required

🪙 This Week’s Sponsor: 🪙

This week's sponsor is you! We don't have big corporate backers, so if you like what you're reading, please consider making a donation or signing up as a monthly member.

Having said that, if you are a local business and are interested in being a sponsor, send us an email and we'll talk!