Regina Minute: Issue 89

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

📅 This Week In Regina: 📅

• The Regina Police Service (RPS) is requesting a 6% increase in City funding for 2026, which would add $7.2 million to its budget and mark the largest portion of the proposed mill rate increase among City service partners and capital projects. The funding request covers salaries, uncontrollable operational costs, software maintenance, contract services, and proposed staffing increases. RPS plans to add 11 positions in 2026 and 10 in 2027, with 6 of the 2026 roles designated as alternative response officers, partially funded by the Province. The police service also anticipates $15.7 million in external funding from provincial, federal, and other sources, including red light camera revenue. Other City service partners, such as the Regina Public Library and the Water Network Expansion, are requesting smaller increases, highlighting RPS’s request as the largest share of the overall mill rate hike. City council will review all 2026 funding proposals during budget deliberations from December 15th - 19th.
  
  
• Council has approved the demolition of the Credit Foncier Building, the last heritage property on the north side of Victoria Park, following a request from owner Western Limited. As part of the agreement, the building’s Tyndall limestone facade and carved stone-block sign will be carefully removed, stored, and incorporated into any future development on the site, while the property retains its heritage designation. Built in 1912, the building has been vacant since suffering water and smoke damage during a nearby fire, and repairs were estimated at $3 million. Heritage Regina and the Regina Planning Commission opposed the demolition, arguing that the stonework should remain in place to preserve its historical integrity. Western Limited said dismantling the facade during demolition would cost less than stabilizing it in place. The site may be temporarily used as part of The Skuare, an outdoor event space, while the property is listed for sale and future development decisions are left to a new owner. Council framed the decision as a compromise between preserving heritage elements and enabling downtown revitalization.
  
  
• A major Regina primary care clinic has closed, leaving roughly 5,000 patients without a family doctor amid already widespread physician shortages in Saskatchewan. The Gardens Community Health Centre shut down after being unable to recruit doctors, despite earlier provincial funding intended to strengthen community care and ease ER pressures. Patients who relied on the clinic for chronic conditions, mental health support, and autism-related care are now uncertain where to turn. The Province says it is expanding the use of nurse practitioners and recruiting more physicians, including internationally. However, these measures do not fill the immediate gap created by the closure. Recent survey data shows one in four Saskatchewan residents lack a family doctor, placing additional strain on emergency rooms and persistent access challenges across the province’s healthcare system.
  
  
• Regina has appointed Lorilee Davies as its new Police Chief, making her the first woman to hold the position in Saskatchewan. Davies has served with the Regina Police Service since 1996 in both frontline and investigative roles and has been acting chief since April, following the suspension and later termination of previous chief Farooq Sheikh. The Board of Police Commissioners awarded her a five-year contract, citing her long experience and leadership credentials. Davies also leads the service’s Truth and Reconciliation Committee, launched in 2018 to advance relevant calls to action. As she transitions into the permanent role, Davies says an immediate priority includes expanding employee wellness initiatives.
  
  
• Regina has reopened Dewdney Avenue after completing a $32-million, two-season revitalization project to upgrade aging underground infrastructure and improve the corridor for pedestrians and businesses. The work included wider sidewalks, new lighting, and safety upgrades such as improved crosswalks and traffic controls. While extended construction disrupted foot traffic and frustrated nearby businesses, some owners now say the improvements were ultimately worthwhile. The project is part of Regina’s broader $67.5-million Revitalization Initiative, which also includes advancing The Yards redevelopment on the north edge of downtown. City administration will soon seek Council approval to issue an RFP for private-sector partners on that project. Across the city, a total of $244 million was spent on construction this year, including water network expansions, road and sidewalk rehabilitation, and the removal of nearly 300 lead service connections. The City also replaced or relined more than 11 kilometres of water mains and wastewater infrastructure.

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

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