Regina Minute: Issue 81

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

📅 This Week In Regina: 📅

• The Executive Committee will meet on Wednesday at 9:00 am. The Committee will discuss allocating $7,235,000 from the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) to support initiatives that advance affordable housing and neighbourhood growth between 2025 and 2027. Key expenditures include $5.5 million for the Land Bank Pilot Program to strategically acquire and manage City-owned land, $600,000 for an infrastructure information program to encourage development on underutilized properties, and $500,000 for Community Land Trust start-up grants in North Central and Heritage neighbourhoods. The Committee is also being asked to approve the Affordable Housing Lands Policy, enabling streamlined land sales or leases below market value, and delegates authority to the City Manager to implement and adjust program policies. The funding comes entirely from the HAF.
  
  
• Council is considering applying to Saskatchewan’s provincial disaster assistance program to support residents whose homes were damaged during severe flooding on September 13th. The storm brought approximately 50 millimetres of rain, overwhelming parts of the city’s stormwater system and causing road closures on major routes such as the Ross Street underpass and Victoria Avenue Service Road. While flow rates were high, the City confirmed no wastewater entered Wascana Lake, correcting earlier reports. Service Regina received 124 flooding-related service requests from homeowners. If the motion is approved, affected residents could apply for financial assistance covering uninsurable losses, including repairs to furnaces, drywall, flooring, and utility connections, as well as cleanup and mold remediation in exceptional cases. The program is intended to restore homes to their pre-flood condition and excludes upgrades or non-essential repairs. Regina made a similar application in 2023 following heavy rainfall and property damage.
  
  
• Council has approved a new leisure bylaw for 2026-2028 that introduces a 50% surcharge for non-residents using City programs such as swimming and art lessons. The update also includes a 4% annual fee increase for all residents and is expected to generate $2.2 million over three years. Beginning in 2027, the City will add a $5 hourly rental fee for athletic fields and parks, projected to raise about $80,000. City officials say the changes reflect cost-recovery pricing and aim to maintain facilities more effectively. However, several community organizations, including youth sports associations, are concerned that the additional fees will raise costs for families and reduce accessibility for lower-income participants. Some groups also criticized the City for insufficient consultation. The City plans to monitor facility use through a pilot project using cameras and continue discussions with affected organizations before implementing the new fees.
  
  
• Council has delayed final approval of the provincial Safe Public Spaces Act. The Act, which allows municipalities to regulate the possession of “street weapons,” has already been adopted by several other Saskatchewan cities. Councillors Flores and Zachidniak said the bylaw appeared rushed and politically motivated, calling for more consultation with health, legal, and harm reduction experts. They also voiced concerns that the legislation could be linked to future “forced treatment” measures, citing Premier Scott Moe’s recent comments on similar initiatives. Supporters argued the Act is necessary to address public safety and empower police to seize weapons such as bear spray. Opponents countered that existing federal laws already cover most items listed and that the Act may not withstand human rights scrutiny if challenged.

• The City of Regina has launched the Finding Middle Ground design competition to inspire innovative, “missing middle” housing that fits seamlessly into existing neighbourhoods. The contest seeks medium-density options such as townhouses, duplexes, four-plexes, and mid-rise apartments that blend with prewar and postwar areas, aiming to increase housing diversity while maintaining neighbourhood character. Open to architects, design students, and interested members of the public across Canada, the competition offers $10,000 prizes in four categories, funded by Regina’s Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) allocation. Submitted designs must include renderings, landscaping plans, and a project summary aligned with city zoning bylaws, with the potential to be compiled into a catalogue for developers. City officials hope the contest will shift perceptions of gentle density and encourage thoughtful development, addressing Regina’s low rental availability and a 2.6% vacancy rate. Winners will be announced on November 27th.

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

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