Regina Minute: Issue 131

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

📅 This Week In Regina: 📅

• The City of Regina has released early details of its 2027-2031 capital plan, which calls for $975.6 million in spending on more than 140 projects over five years. The most expensive project remains the new Indoor Aquatic Facility at a total cost of $313.6 million, while roadwork accounts for $229.2 million and transit for almost $126 million, including $11.6 million for new buses. About $449.6 million is to come straight from operating revenues, largely taxes, and another $114 million, mostly to finish the aquatic facility, is to be borrowed against the City's debt limit. The plan also lists $139.6 million in projects with no funding attached, including a $9.6-million Indigenous cultural site and an $8.9-million refresh of the City Hall courtyard. Acting Chief Financial Officer Jeff May told Council on September 22nd that annual maintenance programs have been drawn down for years to pay for other projects, leaving facility maintenance with a $130-million funding gap over the next five years. The residential road renewal program is also about $5 million short each year, and the program to repair major streets is short $15 million annually. Council's formal budget deliberations are scheduled from December 7th to December 11th.
  
  
• The City of Regina is aiming to direct at least 20% of its procurement spending to Indigenous-owned businesses, according to City Corporate Controller Kim Krywulak. The City typically spends between $100 million and $150 million a year through procurement, depending on major projects such as the Indoor Aquatic Facility and an upcoming wastewater treatment plant. Spending with Indigenous businesses has risen from $2.5 million last year to $5.2 million so far in 2026, with four months of data still to come. Council unanimously approved the Indigenous Procurement Policy in February 2023, and the City also encourages its prime contractors to work with Indigenous subcontractors. Krywulak said the City hopes to raise its Indigenous procurement spending by at least one percentage point each year. However, she acknowledged there is no specific timeline for reaching the 20% target, citing changes in City spending and the capacity of Indigenous businesses.
  
  
• The Regina Floral Conservatory is asking the City to cover 20% of the cost of a new $48-million conservatory at Wascana Park. At a special Council meeting on September 22nd, Conservatory President Ron Sharpe proposed that the federal government pay 50%, the Province 20%, and the conservatory's own funds the remaining 10%. The group says its current 60-year-old building needs major repairs and is one hail or wind storm away from needing a new roof. The proposed 42,000-square-foot facility would open by late 2030 to mark Saskatchewan's 125th anniversary, and unlike the current conservatory, it would be run by full-time staff and charge for entry. The conservatory asked the City to help with an environmental assessment as part of the 2027 budget deliberations and said it would seek funding as soon as 2027. Sharpe suggested the City's contribution could be spread over several years, and said the group plans to return to Council in a few months with a more detailed plan.
  
  
• Council voted 9-1 on September 23rd to expand the sidewalks City crews clear of snow, adding 85 km to the 245 km cleared last winter. Sidewalks along growth corridors including portions of Albert Street, Victoria Avenue, and Dewdney Avenue will now be cleared, along with all sidewalks in the city centre, with a target of 48 hours after each snowfall of at least five centimeters, or 24 hours downtown. Council also approved enhanced clearing on the reconstructed Dewdney Avenue and 11th Avenue corridors this winter, estimated at $288,180 a year, which Administration says must be drawn from the Winter Maintenance Reserve even though that reserve is below its recommended balance. Ward 5 Councillor Sarah Turnbull noted that the Accessibility Advisory Committee had advised against expanding clearing on Dewdney, and Administration acknowledged that recommendation was driven more by economic and vibrancy reasons than accessibility. Ward 1 Councillor Dan Rashovich, the lone vote against, pointed out that Council has increased the sidewalk snow removal budget by $564,000 from 2025 to 2027. Administration will return in December with the program's additional costs and how to pay for them, when Council deliberates the 2027 budget.
  
  
• The City of Regina has hired Peter Deegan as its new Chief Financial Officer (CFO), starting November 30th. Deegan is a chartered professional accountant and currently vice-president of corporate and finance at Nunavut Housing Corporation, and has previously held financial roles at Yukon University and Saskatchewan's Health Quality Council, among others. He replaces Acting CFO Jeff May, who stepped in five months ago after previous CFO Daren Anderson resigned for a private-sector opportunity after just over a year in the job. Deegan arrives ahead of Council's budget deliberations from December 7th to December 11th, and May will then return to his regular position as director of financial planning and analysis. The City is still searching for a new City Manager to replace Niki Anderson, who was terminated in July 2025. City Clerk Jim Nicol continues to serve as Acting City Manager.

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