Regina Minute: Issue 99

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

📅 This Week In Regina: 📅

• We're hosting a Pints & Politics event in Regina, in conjunction with our friends at the Saskatchewan Institute! We're going to keep things simple and just have some casual drinks, with no formal agenda, as an opportunity for everyone to get together with like-minded people, meet some of the team, and chat about politics. There's a lot going on, so there will be plenty of conversation topics. The event takes place on Friday, March 6th at Birmingham’s East. It’s free, but you’ll need to RSVP here.
  
  
• A citizens’ coalition in Regina is campaigning against a planned 10% increase in bus fares, arguing that public transit is an essential service and must remain affordable. The Regina Citizens’ Public Transit Coalition said higher fares would place additional financial strain on students, seniors, and low-income families. The increase, approved in principle during December budget talks, has not yet been passed into bylaw and is expected to come before Council later in February. The coalition has launched an online petition, gaining over 300 signatures in its first week. Residents also delivered letters to Ward 8 Councillor Shanon Zachidniak urging Council to reconsider the hike, noting past fare increases in 2017 led to lower ridership. Advocates highlighted that the new fares would surpass those in Saskatoon and Calgary, despite Regina spending less per capita on transit. Regina Transit recorded 7.8 million rides in 2024, with projections of 9 million by the end of 2025, indicating rising demand. Council’s next meeting to address the fare bylaw is scheduled for February 25th.
  
  
• Regina’s proposed update to its growth strategy could significantly reshape housing development, prioritizing neighbourhood construction based on infrastructure readiness rather than immediate market demand. Mayor Chad Bachynski described the plan as a “data-driven” approach to ensure development aligns with the City’s wastewater and water system capacity, aiming for financially sustainable growth. Under the proposed phased system, Tier 1 neighbourhoods like Westerra and Maple Ridge could proceed immediately, while Tier 2 areas such as Towns and Eastbrook would wait until infrastructure upgrades are completed around 2028-2030. Tier 3 suburbs, including Skywood and Harbour Landing West and North, might not see development for 15 to 30 years, potentially creating a housing gap in southeast and west Regina. Developers expressed cautious support but warned that buyers could shift to nearby bedroom communities if waiting periods are too long. The strategy also encourages infill housing to help meet intensification goals, and the City may soften the downtown population target, focusing on general density rather than a specific 10,000-resident goal. Council is scheduled to vote on these policy changes on February 25th.
  
  
• Neighbours of a proposed Bell Canada artificial intelligence data centre south of Regina have raised concerns about water usage, noise, and impacts on local infrastructure. The project, planned for about 65 hectares, is described in filings with the Rural Municipality of Sherwood as “critical digital infrastructure” for research and AI initiatives, and is endorsed by the University of Regina and Saskatchewan Polytechnic for its potential educational and research benefits. Local landowners, relying on private wells, are seeking clarity on whether the facility will use municipal water or groundwater and how any extraction would be monitored. Experts note that while AI data centres can consume significant amounts of water, the overall demand may be small compared to urban residential and agricultural use, though localized strain is possible. Residents also flagged noise pollution, drainage, and potential wear on nearby roads, requesting that the municipality impose property-line noise limits. The project’s full size and number of buildings remain unclear, though plans mention “300 plus” parking stalls and a SaskPower substation to supply electricity. Construction on the first structure could begin later this year.
  
  
• The Regina Food Bank has renewed its partnership with agribusiness giant Bunge Canada, which will now provide 105 tonnes of lentils annually through the Farmers Feeding Families initiative. The donation aims to address local food insecurity, offering a versatile and healthy source of protein, particularly for newcomer families and those seeking plant-based options. The food bank is currently feeding over 17,000 people each month, with demand continuing to grow, and the lentil donation will help meet that need while supporting food sovereignty for diverse communities. Bunge Canadanoted that Saskatchewan’s leadership in lentil production makes the donation a natural fit, and the company is open to expanding contributions in the future. This initiative continues a partnership that began with Viterra five years ago and has persisted following the Bunge-Viterra merger.

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

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