Regina Minute: Issue 59

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

📅 This Week In Regina: 📅

• The Executive Committee will meet on Wednesday at 9:30 am. On the agenda is a proposal to borrow up to $115 million by the end of 2025. The funds would support the Water Network Expansion (WNE) and help cover shortfalls in funding for Development Charge (DC) projects - growth-related infrastructure projects funded in part by fees collected from developers. Of the total amount, $85 million would go toward the remaining long-term debt for the WNE, while $30 million would be allocated to partially fund unfunded DC projects. The proposed borrowing falls within Regina’s $660 million debt limit. To cover the cost of servicing this debt, a 2.24% mill rate increase is planned for the 2026 Budget.
  
  
• The Committee will also consider an application for funding from the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund (CHIF) to support the Taylor Field Redevelopment project. This project will build water, sewer, stormwater, roads, and green space to support about 500 new homes in the North Central neighbourhood. The total cost is around $20.9 million, with $14.4 million eligible for CHIF funding. If approved, the federal and provincial governments would cover about 73% of those costs, and the City would pay the rest using its Land Development Reserve. The application is due May 20th, 2025, and must be approved by City Council by June 1st. If successful, the project must be finished by March 2033.
  
  
• Council has approved a $6.78 million incentive to keep a second Costco store in the Westerra neighbourhood, despite frustrations over being “forced” into the deal. Costco had initially planned to build in Westerra but was offered cheaper land by the provincially owned Global Transportation Hub (GTH), prompting the company to reconsider. Council members criticized the province for creating an unfair competitive situation, essentially forcing Regina to offer financial incentives to retain the retailer. Developer Forster Harvard, working with Costco, agreed to reduce their land price by $3 million to help match the GTH’s offer. The deal is expected to bring $500 million in future investments to Westerra, including more retail space and housing. The City’s incentive will be paid back through commercial property taxes from Costco over the next eight years. Mayor Chad Bachynski emphasized the uniqueness of the situation and hopes it doesn’t set a precedent. GTH CEO Daniel Hersche says that Costco approached the Hub after walking away from a previous City-approved site due to high development costs. While the GTH primarily focuses on distribution, it considered a deal with Costco given the retailer's warehouse-style operations. Hersche emphasized the need to reset and strengthen the relationship between the Hub and the City of Regina going forward.
  
  
• ​​A leaked letter has revealed that former Regina Police Commissioner Alicia Morrow filed a complaint against Police Chief Farooq Sheikh, who was placed on paid leave in early April. The letter from the Public Complaints Commission (PCC), dated March 26th, was shared on social media and confirmed Morrow’s involvement in the complaint, though the specific allegations remain undisclosed. Morrow's lawyer, Sharon Fox, stated that the letter's release has resulted in harassment and posed a risk to Morrow's safety, calling the leak an effort to silence her. Morrow, a local business owner and activist, had served as the Indigenous representative on the police board since August 2024 but has since stepped down. Mayor Chad Bachynski confirmed her departure, noting her last listed appearance was in February. Fox’s legal team is investigating the leak and plans to pursue legal action. The PCC investigation into Chief Sheikh is ongoing, and further details have not been made public.
  
  
• This fall, students at Johnson Collegiate in Regina will receive free City bus passes as part of a three-month pilot project aimed at offering fare-free transit to youth aged 18 and under. The initiative, approved by Council in a 9-1 vote, follows advocacy efforts from the Better Bus Youth group and aligns with Regina’s Energy and Sustainability Framework. Running from September to December, the pilot will not require additional drivers but will add one bus to the Parkridge route to accommodate expected increases in ridership. The project is estimated to cost $37,700, with an additional $48,600 in lost fare revenue, and the City plans to explore cost-sharing options with local school boards. Regina Public and Catholic Schools have agreed to provide data on ridership and attendance to help assess the program’s impact. A report on the pilot’s success will be presented to Council by fall 2026. Youth under 13 already ride for free, and starting in July, they will need an age-verified pass to board buses without an adult.
  
  
• Regina's construction season is in full swing, with seven major infrastructure projects planned for 2025. Work is already underway on the Dewdney Avenue Corridor and 11th Avenue Revitalization, as well as three other projects: the Albert Street Overpass Upgrade, Park Street Upgrade, and Water Network Expansion. The city plans to announce details about the final two projects later this year. Dewdney Avenue, between Broad and Albert Streets, is currently closed, but businesses remain open and accessible, with the city actively promoting alternate routes and parking. Mayor Chad Bachynski noted growing public excitement as residents anticipate the improvements nearing completion. The Dewdney Avenue phase is expected to be the first to wrap up, with a timeline of two to three months. To assist residents, the City has launched an interactive map showing details and timelines for all construction projects. Officials hope this tool will help the public better navigate delays and plan their commutes.

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