Regina Minute: Issue 111

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.
  
  
• After approving the largest property tax increase in City history - 10.9% for the current budget year, alongside a 7.82% utility rate hike - Council has adopted a target to keep the 2027 mill rate increase at or below 5.81%. Acting CFO Jeff May and Acting City Manager Jim Nicol confirmed Administration will draft next year's budget around that figure, though the target is a guideline, not a hard limit. Ward 1 Councillor Dan Rashovich noted the City has seen "almost a 20% mill rate increase" over two years. Councillors Shanon Zachidniak and David Froh raised concerns about committing to a cap before the City's actual service needs are known. Preliminary budget discussions run from July through October 2026, with the final budget to be approved in December.
  
  
• Council voted 8-3 to sell a substantial portion of the REAL District to Brandt Sports & Entertainment for $6.5 million. The sale includes the Brandt Centre, Queensbury Centre, AgEx Building, Canada Centre Building, Stockman's Arena, Cattle Barn, and surrounding parking. The City retains Mosaic Stadium, Co-operators Centre, and AffinityPlex, while the Bunge International Trade Centre will be leased to Brandt. The buildings average 45 years old with significant deferred maintenance, and the City projects $79 million in taxpayer savings over five years. Brandt commits to $15 million in upgrades within two years, will assume all unionized staff, and will continue hosting the Canadian Western Agribition and Queen City Ex. Land transfers are scheduled for July and September 2026. Mayor Chad Bachynski called it "a major opportunity for private sector investment to transform commercial sports and entertainment facilities."
  
  
• Ward 10 Councillor Clark Bezo is bringing forward a motion at the May 20th Council meeting that would require all City of Regina employees to return to full-time, in-person office work by August 21st, unless granted a special accommodation for operational or medical reasons. A City spokesperson confirmed that 364 of the City's 3,039 employees currently work from home through a flexible workplace arrangement - a program the City has offered since 2011 and last updated in 2023. Bezo also requested that Administration report on whether the shift would cost more than $250,000 to implement. He has argued that the "extraordinary conditions" that prompted widespread remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic have since passed - City staff were directed to work remotely in 2021 and returned to City Hall in early 2022. Bezo suggested a return to in-person work would support the City's goal of promoting a "vibrant, active downtown," improve transit ridership, and boost operational efficiency.
  
  
• The German-Canadian Society is fundraising to cover a roof repair estimated at over $200,000 after a leak was discovered this spring at their longtime Regina clubhouse, which has been in operation since 1968. Club president Kerri Van Loosen says the organization has not fully recovered financially from the pandemic, as many social groups that rented the space have not returned. The club - open four days a week serving German cuisine and drinks - is raising funds through bake sales, online 50/50 draws, and by directing a significant share of revenue from annual events toward the repair. It is also applying for charity status to gain access to grants.

🚨 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!