Regina Minute: Issue 88

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

📅 This Week In Regina: 📅

• City Administration has outlined a list of potential service cuts to reduce the proposed 2026 property tax increase of 15.69%. The options, totalling $71.5 million in savings across 139 possible reductions, include eliminating budgets for REAL and the Regina Floral Conservatory, closing the Cathedral Neighbourhood Centre, reducing snow removal and road maintenance, and cutting transit and park services. Acting City Manager Jim Nicol said the options were presented in response to Council’s request for ways to lower or eliminate the mill rate increase, but emphasized the cuts would come with major impacts on public services. Other proposed reductions include ending the Community Investment Grants program, halving Economic Development Regina’s budget, and closing local recreational facilities like Massey Pool and the Neil Balkwill Civic Arts Centre. Decisions on which cuts to approve will be made by Council during budget meetings from December 15th to 19th.
  
  
• City Council has postponed a decision on creating a new subclass for nuisance properties, which would allow higher taxes on derelict lots, until February 2026. Administration advised against the change for now, citing limited capacity and the success of a “proactive” enforcement approach started in 2024. That approach has led to more demolitions and the cataloguing of 894 nuisance properties citywide, helping pave the way for infill development. Council members want more information on how a new subclass could work alongside existing enforcement and whether additional resources would be needed beyond 2026. The delay also allows the decision to be considered alongside the 2026 budget. Ward 3 Councillor David Froh emphasized being mindful of capacity given current financial and operational demands.
  
  
• Two local businesses, Dad’s Diner and Hillside Smoke ‘n Que from Lumsden, are partnering to reopen the cafeteria at Regina City Hall as the “Capital City Kitchen.” The cafeteria, which has been vacant for several years, will feature homestyle meals, smokehouse flavours, locally sourced ingredients, and a rotating menu of Saskatchewan-inspired dishes. The kitchen will also support community programming, including social inclusion initiatives, employment and skills development, and pay-it-forward meals. A soft launch is scheduled for the week of December 8th, 2025, with the official opening on January 5th, 2026. The cafeteria will be open to the public during business hours.
  
  
• The City of Regina is highlighting the economic spinoffs of major events but notes it sees little direct revenue from them. In 2025, the City allocated $195,000 from its Events, Tradeshows, and Conventions Fund to support events like The Grind, Skills Canada, and Canadian Western Agribition, while larger events such as the Vanier Cup and future multi-sport games absorbed $620,000 in cash and in-kind support. City officials say these events boost provincial tax revenue and local business spending, but the City itself lacks a mechanism to capture direct returns, putting much of the financial burden on local taxpayers. Chief Financial Officer Daren Anderson suggested exploring creative ways with the Province to generate City revenue, while Deputy City Manager Jennifer Johnson noted that committing grant funding helps ensure Regina remains a host city for major events. 
  
  
• A new study says the Greater Regina Area is an ideal location for a beef processing facility, highlighting the potential economic benefits for the region. Saskatchewan has the second-largest cattle herd in Western Canada, but only about 1% is processed locally, with most beef sent to Alberta or Ontario before returning as “Made in Canada.” The study estimates the facility could generate $168 million in economic output, $76 million in GDP annually, and create 723 jobs, while providing faster access to beef. The report emphasizes that processing more beef locally would add value to Saskatchewan’s cattle industry and boost regional economic growth.

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

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