Regina Minute: Issue 110

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'll be joined by Richard Jankowski, author of March Forth - a bold call to action for Saskatchewan and Canada at a pivotal economic moment. The book presents a clear vision of a more diversified, competitive, and confident Saskatchewan by 2040. Saskatchewan Institute Project Director Heidi McKillop will be hosting a discussion with Richard, about the book and about Saskatchewan's future. There will be plenty of time for networking, drinks, and conversation, too! The event takes place on Wednesday, May 13th. It’s free, but you’ll need to RSVP here.
  
  
• There will be a City Council meeting on Wednesday at 1:00 pm. Council will discuss a motion to require most City employees in designated in-office or hybrid roles to return to full-time in-office work by August 21st, 2026, unless they receive specific approval for exceptions such as operational needs, medical considerations, or accommodations. The policy is intended to standardize in-person attendance across the organization while still allowing limited flexibility for approved cases. Additionally, Administration must report back to Council if the return-to-office mandate results in financial impacts exceeding $250,000, including details of any related costs or consequences.
  
  
• The City of Regina is set to add 13 more battery-electric buses to its transit fleet, building on the 20 electric buses already in service. The original 20 were purchased using $26 million in federal funding and the City says they have performed well operationally - saving over $250,000 in fuel costs in their first year, though winter range drops to approximately 220 kilometres compared to a standard range of 340 kilometres. Mayor Chad Bachynski said he supports electric transit in principle but noted the City cannot expand the electric fleet at current market prices without government subsidies, and chose hybrid models for the most recent non-subsidised procurement. The 13 additional buses being added now represent a federally supported expansion, not a City-funded one. 
  
  
• FlixBus is expanding its Prairie network and positioning Regina as a central hub for its intercity bus service across Saskatchewan, Alberta, and Manitoba. The company says the city will function as a key transfer point, connecting eastbound and westbound routes to improve regional travel options. A new Regina-Winnipeg route has been added, along with additional stops on existing routes linking Regina to Calgary and other Prairie communities such as Moose Jaw, Swift Current, Medicine Hat, and Lethbridge. The expanded service is set to launch on May 7th and builds on FlixBus’s gradual entry into the Canadian market since 2022. The company says the hub model is intended to increase travel flexibility and improve access to destinations that have had limited transportation options. The update adds to a growing network of 11 Saskatchewan stops as long-distance bus services continue to expand following the closure of the provincial bus system years earlier.
  
  
• Regina’s Executive Committee voted 7-4 to advance a $6.5-million offer from Brandt Group to purchase seven facilities in the REAL District. Brandt CEO Shaun Semple characterizes the proposal as "winning the lottery" for the City, as Brandt would assume $73.5 million in deferred maintenance and take over operations for the struggling municipal corporation. The agreement requires the City to waive property taxes, fund $6.5 million in parking upgrades, and transfer $9 million in earmarked funding to Brandt. In return, Brandt must invest $15 million in upgrades within two years. City officials say that maintaining the aging assets would otherwise cost taxpayers $97 million over five years. While supporters view the deal as essential for fiscal stability, dissenting Councillors criticized the quick turnaround for such a complex asset sale. A final Council vote is expected next week.

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

Join us for Pints & Politics!

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

When: Wednesday, May 13th, 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!