Regina Minute: New CEO, Mayoral Interview, and a Supervised Consumption Site

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

This Week In Regina:

• There are no Council or Committee meetings this week. The 2025 schedule is now available, and the next Council meeting takes place on January 29th.
  
  
• The newly launched HOMEBASE hub at YWCA Regina is providing youth aged 12 to 25 with mental health resources, cultural supports, and primary health care services. This initiative, the third of its kind in Saskatchewan, follows similar hubs in Humboldt and Moose Jaw, with a fourth planned for Sturgeon Lake First Nation. Developed with input from youth, the program aims to address long-standing gaps in mental health services and reduce stigma. The Government of Saskatchewan allocated $3.4 million for the hub's development and operation, with youth and staff collaborating to shape its offerings.
  
  
• Mike Tate is the new CEO of the Regina & District Chamber of Commerce. A founding partner of Greenwave Innovations, Tate has extensive experience in business development, including roles with Economic Development Regina and Shermco Industries. He has also contributed to the community as a board member for the Regina Airport Authority and through initiatives like the Globe Theatre's renovation campaign. Additionally, the Chamber announced updates to its board of directors for 2025, including new appointments and role changes.

Last Week In Regina:

• Regina's new mayor, Chad Bachynski, gave a year-end interview outlining his vision for the next four years. He emphasized transparency, collaboration, and maintaining an optimistic approach while working with a Council composed of many new members. Bachynski highlighted the challenges of the City's aging infrastructure, stating the need for $955 million in funding to address repairs over the next 20 years. Bachynski, with an engineering background, says he aims to communicate the importance of infrastructure investments to residents while ensuring long-term planning takes precedence over short-term political gains.
  
  
• The Regina Police Service has sworn in seven new recruits, including the twin sister of a current constable. The new recruits will begin training at the Saskatchewan Police College on January 6th, with graduation set for May 30th, followed by field training. The service plans to welcome an additional twelve recruits in July.
  
  
• Regina's Nēwo-Yōtina Friendship Centre has received federal approval from Health Canada to operate as the city’s first supervised consumption site. Previously functioning as an overdose prevention site under a temporary exemption, the centre's new status ensures long-term operation under federal guidelines. Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Health does not fund such sites but acknowledges they can operate with federal approval. Regina reported the highest number of confirmed drug-related deaths in the province in 2024.