Regina Minute: Project Paused, Housing Strategy, and Compost Facility Shelved

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

This Week In Regina:

• The Board of Police Commissioners will meet on Tuesday at 9:00 am. No updated agenda is available for this meeting yet. Also on Tuesday, at 4:00 pm, the Regina Planning Commission will meet to address a few land use amendment proposals.
  
  
• On Wednesday, at 9:00 am, the Executive Committee will meet. The agenda includes a Housing Needs Assessment, along with a proposal to instruct Administration to prepare a Comprehensive Housing Strategy in response. That Strategy would have a delivery date of Q1 2026.
  
  
• A meeting of the Regina Appeal Board, originally scheduled for Thursday, will now take place on February 6th.

Last Week In Regina:

• The City of Regina has terminated its contract with EverGen for a permanent compost facility near Pilot Butte, citing the need for a transparent procurement process. Weekly green bin service for food and yard waste will remain unaffected, with waste continuing to be processed at a temporary site at the Regina landfill. EverGen will transfer operations of the temporary facility to City staff by February 28th. The City still remains committed to building a permanent facility and plans to issue a new request for proposals, allowing EverGen to participate. The City estimates the composting program will cost $6.3 million annually.
  
  
• City Administration have proposed maintaining Scarth Street Mall as a pedestrian-only space, following public engagement and a review of best practices. Initial plans to reintroduce vehicle traffic were met with public resistance during consultations, with many favouring the pedestrian walkway between 11th and 12th Avenue. The updated vision aims to enhance the area as a vibrant downtown corridor, encouraging visitors to linger and enjoy the space. Residents can provide feedback on the design until February 4th, with the final decision expected from Council this spring. Construction, originally planned for 2024, is now delayed until at least 2027 due to budget decisions.
  
  
• Federated Co-operatives Limited (FCL) has paused its proposed Integrated Agriculture Complex in Regina, including the renewable diesel and canola crush plant projects, citing regulatory uncertainty, shifts in low-carbon policies, and rising costs. This decision delays the potential creation of over 2,500 construction jobs and 150 permanent positions, which were expected to generate significant economic benefits for the city.