Regina Minute: Issue 94

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

📅 This Week In Regina: 📅

• There are no Council meetings this week. There will be a Development Appeals Committee meeting on Tuesday, and a meeting of the Accessibility Advisory Committee on the 27th, as Council returns from the holiday break.
  
  
• The Regina Exhibition Association Limited (REAL) plans to host more concerts at Mosaic Stadium as part of a renewed strategy to grow revenue and community engagement. The Foo Fighters are scheduled to perform on September 15th, 2026, marking the first full stadium concert in Regina since 2019 and a chance to “retrain the muscles” for large-scale events. Mosaic Stadium, which opened in 2017, seats 33,000 and can expand to 41,000 for concerts. REAL is projected to turn a profit of $394,000 in 2026, its first year in the black since 2021, as the organization works to stabilize finances and reduce City funding requests. Leadership changes continue, with Trent Fraser serving as interim CEO while REAL searches for a permanent replacement. The organization is also undergoing a review that will guide decisions on governance, funding, and its long-term role in managing City-owned facilities.
  
  
• Regina Crime Stoppers reported a rise in anonymous tips, arrests, cleared cases, and rewards paid in 2025, continuing an upward trend from previous years. The organization received 917 tips, which contributed to dozens of arrests and charges, along with more than $28,000 in recovered property. Officials say the increase may be linked to economic concerns and stronger community outreach that has improved public confidence in the program’s anonymity. Advances in technology, including the wider use of security and doorbell cameras, have helped speed up investigations and public appeals. Looking ahead to 2026, the organization plans to reintroduce crime re-enactment videos to assist in cases without video evidence. Additional awareness efforts will include placing the Crime Stoppers logo on new City rollout bins to keep the program visible in the community.
  
  
• City of Regina officials say a Calgary-style water supply crisis is unlikely due to key differences in how the two cities’ systems are designed and maintained. Calgary has faced repeated disruptions after a major feeder main that supplies about 60% of its drinking water suffered multiple catastrophic failures, forcing prolonged conservation measures. Regina, by contrast, receives treated water from the Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant through two separate supply mains, providing redundancy if one line fails. The city’s steel pipes are less prone to large ruptures and are more likely to experience minor, manageable leaks. Regina also conducts regular inspections and uses corrosion protection to extend the lifespan of its infrastructure. Officials say these measures, combined with pipes expected to last up to 120 years, significantly reduce the risk of a sudden, large-scale outage.
  
  
• Regina and District Chamber of Commerce CEO Mike Tate says 2025 was a year of economic uncertainty, but also one that clarified what local businesses need most: competitiveness, predictability, and affordability. Taking the role early last year, Tate navigated challenges ranging from US tariffs under Donald Trump to rising municipal costs at home. A major concern for Regina businesses was a proposed property tax hike, which ultimately landed at 10.9%. While some increases are expected in a growing city, Tate says businesses are looking for cost certainty they can plan around without passing increases on to consumers. The Chamber’s new 2025-2028 strategic plan focused on improving the business climate, streamlining approvals, and expanding the tax base. 

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

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