Regina Minute: New Costco, Crime Rate, and Ward Challenge Dismissed

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

This Week In Regina:

• The only meeting taking place this week is a meeting of the Board of Police Commissioners. This will occur on Tuesday at 9:00 am. Council and Committee meetings will resume mid-August.
  
  
• Regina might get a second Costco, with a new store proposed for the west end of the city at 8701 Dewdney Ave. The development would include over 14,000 square meters of shopping space and a Costco gas station. Although the project is still under review and lacks a set timeline, it has generated positive reactions from shoppers who view it as a much-needed addition. The City is encouraging public comments before the August 14th deadline.
  
  
• Regina is facing its worst year yet for Dutch Elm Disease, with a record 36 trees confirmed infected this season. The City’s forestry crews are actively removing affected trees, including a block of Elphinstone Street where seven historic elms are being removed. Since the disease was first detected in Regina in 1981, about 200 trees have been impacted, but this year's outbreak is particularly concerning. The disease, spread by elm bark beetles, can kill a healthy elm in as little as two weeks. Residents are urged to report suspected cases and avoid bringing or storing elm wood in the city.

Last Week In Regina:

• A report was released showing that, in 2023, Regina’s crime rate saw a rise of 3% from the previous year, reaching 7,988 reported crimes per 100,000 people. Despite this increase, Regina ranked ninth among Canada's 41 Census Metropolitan Areas in overall crime rates, a notable improvement from its 2016 position as the highest. Violent crime in Regina, including homicides, significantly contributed to the rise, with the violent crime severity index climbing from 124 in 2022 to 141 in 2023, surpassing the national average of 99.
  
  
• A legal challenge by a citizen’s advocacy group against the City of Regina's new ward boundaries has been dismissed by the Court of King’s Bench. The group argued that the changes would marginalize vulnerable populations and challenged the Municipal Wards Commission’s process, claiming the boundaries were improperly approved. Justice Richard Elson found no merit in the group’s arguments, stating the Commission’s decision was reasonable and that the boundaries would proceed as planned for the November municipal elections.
  
  
• Salthaven West Wildlife Rehabilitation and Education Centre recently acquired new property near Regina, and is now seeking to raise $500,000 to build a new 3,000-square-foot facility on that property. The current 600-square-foot clinic can no longer accommodate the growing demand for its services. The new facility will include dedicated spaces for care, such as exam rooms, isolation areas, and outdoor enclosures, enhancing its capacity to care for over 1,400 wildlife patients annually. The organization must secure these funds before the end of the summer to avoid service interruptions and continue its essential work. Donations can be made online or by phone, with further details available on their website.