Regina Minute: Issue 71

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

📅 This Week In Regina: 📅

• Council voted 10-1 to terminate City Manager Niki Anderson without cause, effective immediately, following her leave earlier this year for what was described as a “personal matter.” The decision was based on a recommendation from the Mayor’s Office, with only Ward 8 Councillor Shanon Zachidniak opposing the move, citing concerns about the frequent use of without-cause terminations and associated payouts. Anderson had been on leave since April with no set return date, and the City plans to replace her with someone aligned to Council’s “strategic direction.” Interim City Manager Jim Nicol will continue in the role until a permanent replacement is found. Council’s decision comes amid significant leadership turnover at City Hall in recent years, which some Councillors hope will now stabilize.
  
  
• Council approved a $40-million increase in funding for the new Indoor Aquatic Facility, raising the project’s total cost to $285.1 million. The facility is set to replace the aging Lawson Aquatic Centre, with construction expected to start in early fall. The budget increase is attributed to inflation, global supply chain disruptions, and market volatility. Despite federal and provincial contributions, the City will still carry $156 million in debt, potentially delaying other recreational projects such as dog parks and pickleball courts. The vote was 9-2, with Ward 2 Councillor George Tsiklis and Ward 10 Councillor Clark Bezo opposing the funding increase. Some residents expressed frustration over rising costs, while debates also arose over the inclusion of geothermal heating in the project. An amendment to remove geothermal was defeated.
  
  
• A judge dismissed the University of Regina Students’ Union’s (URSU) injunction application, which sought to compel the University of Regina (U of R) to release withheld student fees and continue fee collection on URSU’s behalf. The University terminated its fee collection agreement with URSU effective August 31st, citing concerns over URSU’s 2024 audited financial statement and ongoing financial instability. The court found a real risk that URSU would not properly manage the student funds if paid as a lump sum and ruled that continuing fee collection under current conditions would be unfair to students. U of R President Jeff Keshen says that the university had offered financial and governance support to URSU for over a year and a half, but the union did not sufficiently address these issues. URSU expressed disappointment but respected the court’s decision and emphasized its commitment to improving governance and financial accountability. The union also indicated it does not plan to pursue further litigation and aims to collaborate with the university on sustainable solutions.
  
  
• The Regina Police Service (RPS) is partnering with the University of Regina (U of R) to pilot a mental health check-in system for officers, starting with new recruits in 2026. This system allows daily monitoring of officers’ mental health to help build resilience and track wellness over time. Acting Chief Lorilee Davies emphasized the importance of supporting frontline workers exposed to trauma and noted the system could identify when larger interventions are needed. While there is some concern officers may not fully disclose struggles, leadership hopes participants recognize the benefits of improving mental health. The pilot’s duration and full implementation timeline remain undecided.
  
  
• Residents of the Rosemont-Mount Royal neighbourhood are fundraising for legal counsel to address a long-standing issue with aggressive, loose dogs. Locals say the problem has persisted for years, with multiple incidents involving children being bitten or chased. One resident recounted how her son was bitten in 2024 and said she now fears even taking out her garbage. The dogs are reportedly all from a single home, where the owner keeps six dogs and claims he routinely repairs any breaches in his yard. Despite accumulating hundreds of dollars in fines, the dogs continue to escape, leaving residents frustrated and fearful. The City is reviewing its animal bylaw and plans to present recommendations to council later in 2025. However, some residents say fines aren’t enough and are calling for immediate action to restore safety in the community.

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

🪙 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!