Regina Minute: Issue 98

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

📅 This Week In Regina: 📅

• The Executive Committee will meet on Tuesday at 9:00 am. On the agenda are several lease agreements with local community organizations. The Al Ritchie Community Association would receive an additional 950 square feet at 2230 Lindsay Street at no extra rent. The Saskatchewan Roughrider Foundation would lease a portion of Mosaic Stadium at 1734 Elphinstone Street, and the Arcola East Community Association would lease land at Maka Park (5500 Kennett Square) and receive a three-year property tax exemption for 2026-2028. 
  
  
• Starting in March, Regina Transit will allow riders to pay fares using debit and credit cards, as well as Apple Pay and Google Pay. Regina Transit says the new tap-payment option responds to rider feedback and offers a convenient alternative to the Umo app and fare cards, which are currently used by around 70% of riders. The update will include fare capping, so frequent users pay only for a set number of trips per day or month. Riders will need to re-enter credit card information in Umo accounts due to a system update, and the City has consulted with BC Transit to ensure smooth implementation.
  
  
• The City faces roughly $7 million in unpaid parking tickets, prompting Council to raise both parking rates and fines. Officials hope collecting these fines could reduce the City’s reliance on property taxes, fund police capital projects, support infrastructure, or replenish reserves. Parking fines will increase by $10, with typical tickets rising from $30 to $65 after 14 days, and more serious violations reaching $200+. Meter rates will rise from $2 to $2.50 per hour, and all physical meters will be removed in favour of the PayByPhone electronic payment system. The City uses collection agencies, vehicle immobilization, towing, and court enforcement to recover unpaid fines, but provincial legislation currently prevents refusing driver’s licence renewals for unpaid tickets. These changes are expected to take effect April 1st, 2026.
  
  
• Regina Mayor Chad Bachynski travelled to Ottawa to urge the federal government, including Prime Minister Mark Carney, to accelerate infrastructure funding for housing and key city projects. He highlighted that delays increase costs and hinder national housing and economic goals. Mayors stressed that current federal programs lack the scale and speed needed for local needs. Bachynski advocated for expanding the community stream and creating a long-term national infrastructure plan to better support vulnerable residents and streamline joint-funding agreements. Public safety issues were also discussed at the meeting.
  
  
• A new 12-unit transitional housing complex, Lilium Village, has opened in Regina’s Heritage neighbourhood. The facility consists of three-bedroom duplexes designated for single mothers who are pregnant, have children, or are working to regain custody. This initiative targets hidden homelessness, a condition affecting 22% of Regina's homeless population who reside in cars, hotels, or on couches. Lilium Village provides a medium level of support, offering daycare and voluntary programming to assist families in transitioning from emergency shelters to independent living. Maybell Developments is a faith-based non-profit, its services are available to all regardless of religious affiliation. The organization envisions a second complex for two-parent families and single fathers to address the city's current lack of designated shelters for men with dependent children.

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