Queen City Improvement Bureau

A discussion of the 2023 to 2024 budget process (that I'm pretty sure we refer to as the 2022 to 2023 budget process throughout … that's A Mistake!) and the results of the Catalyst Committee survey. Music by Ryan Hill (aka Guidewire). Originally broadcast on 91.3FM CJTR.

This is one QCIB meeting you’re not going to want to miss! Aidan fills in the Catalyst Committee's online survey! For a full hour! For real! Music by Ryan Hill (aka Guidewire). Originally broadcast on 91.3FM CJTR.

It's all catalyst content in the latest meeting of the Queen City Improvement Bureau. We talk with University of Regina geography professor Vanessa Mathews about day one of the Catalyst Committee's public consultation — that was the day dedicated to the proposed downtown arena. Then, we discuss the shifting plans for the new aquatic centre. Will it remain in the Sportsplex? Will it get moved to th...

The Catalyst Committee was formed in July to develop a long-range plan for the siting and financing of a new downtown hockey arena to replace the Brandt Centre, a new aquatic centre to replace the Lawson, and a new, pro-quality baseball facility to replace the Red Sox’s home at Currie Field. It will also be considering the plans to rebuild the main branch of the library. The Catalyst Committee wil...

We talk about the slow-motion demise of the amusement tax, the rise of the Affordable Fun Policy and the appointment of a new city manager. Plus, parking minimum switcheroo! Councillor Bresciani turns a motion to remove parking minimums into an amendment to make them bigger! Music by Ryan Hill (aka Guidewire). Originally broadcast on 91.3FM CJTR.

The Bureau talks Shawbacle, proposed library central branch rebuild, Regina's old-timey movie tax. Plus, song by Wade Sakundiak. Theme by Ryan Hill (aka Guidewire). Originally broadcast on 91.3FM CJTR.

Councillor Shaw issues an apology (of sorts) though neither integrity complaint against her resulted in any sanction. Plus, council votes to continue its red light camera program. Music by Ryan Hill (aka Guidewire). Originally broadcast on 91.3FM CJTR.

Eric Hill visits the sub-basement with a wrap-up report on Swamp Fest’s return to live shows. Plus, the Shawbacle continues. Music by Ryan Hill (aka Guidewire). Originally broadcast on 91.3FM CJTR.

What does Mayor Masters hate more than anything? If you were going to say "walk on motions", NOT SO FAST! We look at an instance where Mayor Masters was pretty OK with a walk on motion. Also, added bonus this episode: Parking lots. Music by Guidewire (aka Ryan Hill). Originally broadcast on 91.3FM CJTR.

We chat with folk who’ve turned out to the 2022 Regina Folk Festival. Theme music by Guidewire (aka Ryan Hill). Originally broadcast on 91.3FM CJTR.

Jacq Brasseur is back in the sub-basement with a bee in their bonnet about the proposed Community Safety & Well-Being Organization. Plus, we talk parking lots and the Taylor Field Neighbourhood Promise that council seems to be forgetting. Music by Ryan Hill (aka Guidewire). Originally broadcast on 91.3FM CJTR.

We all knew this day was coming. Two formal complaints have been lodged with the city's Integrity Commissioner over things ward 7 councillor Terina Shaw has said. Plus, we look at plans for a new hockey arena that could be placed at a secret location downtown and we talk about the council's density loophole and their decision to permit more surface parking downtown. Music by Guidewire (aka Ryan Hi...

Jennifer Fix is the founder of Ahne Studio, an urban design and community engagement firm that works with cities across Canada to build OCPs, heritage districts, downtown plans and neighbourhood plans. Jennifer is also a Regina resident. So, as Regina city council looks set to crack open their OCP to give themselves the ability to lower density targets on the fly, I thought Jennifer would be a gre...

Administration has dropped their "Density Target for New Neighbourhoods Report" in which they recommend giving council discretion to lower the OCP's density targets for certain development proposals. We speak with UofR geography professor about that recommendation and about Regina's sprawl problem.

No regular meeting this week because the bureau is on holiday. Aidan has gone fishing with Morgbot and the Leopard in the weeping tile. I had planned to go on a climbing expedition into the air conditioning vents but then… the reports for the July 6 executive committee meeting dropped. They were significant. To say the least. So I cut my ductwork spelunking short and got in touch with Tim Reid, CE...

We talk with Kale MacLellan about … strange remarks by Councillor Terina Shaw (natch). Plus we talk about changes to the agreements that govern Regina Exhibition Association Ltd and Economic Development Regina. And! Fire sprinklers! Music by Guidewire (aka Ryan Hill). Originally broadcast on 91.3FM CJTR.

Aidan creates his own AI replacement. It goes as expected. Then, an interview with Hamilton singer-songwriter BA Johnston about his new album and tour, his show Ham Jam and his kid book. Finally, an interview with ward 3 councillor Andrew Stevens about infrastructure funding, the proposed new aquatic facility, water treatment and other stuff. Music by Guidewire (aka Ryan Hill). Originally broadcas...

Spring is now fully well sprung and the Bureau runs through all the spring news releases from upstairs, including: The Queen City is a Tree City, the Public School Board needs a by-election, spray pads are turned on, bugs are gonna die. Plus, a look at an administration recommendation to try to use federal transit money to fund a new aquatic centre. Music by Guidewire (aka Ryan Hill). Originally b...

Councillor Zachidniak visits the sub-basement to discuss her appointment to the Green Municipal Fund Council while I gush about what a stone-cold hotty Canada's environment minister is. Steven Guilbeault? More like Steven Dreamboat, am I right? Plus, with Eurovision season over, it's time for the Cathedral Village Arts Festival which is coming back with live events after a two-year, pandemic-neces...

Want some Eurovision cool mixed in with your city hall hot takes? Then you came to the right municipal affairs podcast. It's all Eurovision Song Contest, parking minimums & bylaw enforcement funding on the QCIB this week. Music by Guidewire (aka Ryan Hill). Originally broadcast on 91.3FM CJTR.

We speak with the Duke Of Moose Jaw about a vile attempt by the Ramona Dudoolio, the Queen Of Canada, to invade his domain. Then, we visit the Queen City's new indoor skate park and talk about the Transit Master Plan. Music by Ryan Hill (aka Guidewire). Originally broadcast on 91.3FM CJTR.

We took a week off so it's a catch up day for the Bureau. We have some happy news on the Energy & Sustainability Framework front and there was a new Waste Plan report released that's pretty much identical to all the old Waste Plan reports (and that's not a good thing). Plus, we look at the steamy romantic entanglements between the City of Regina and some of its corporate suitors. Originally broadc...

The Energy & Sustainability Framework wends its way from council and committee. We look at some of the twists and turns it has taken. Even more importantly! We speak with an unsung superhero of the Queen City media scene: Graham Condo, the guy who videos council and committee meetings for Access TV. We are big fans. Music by Guidewire (aka Ryan Hill). Originally broadcast on 91.3FM CJTR.

Our former intern, Sharrod Claerg returns. (Though he insists it's spelled "Jared Clarke" but that looks wrong.) He brings Yvette Crane from Regina Energy Transition with him and they talk about climate action and the city's just-launched Energy & Sustainability Framework. Music by Ryan Hill (aka Guidewire). Originally broadcast on 91.3FM CJTR.

Regular guest, Jacq Brasseur, is back in the sub-basement to discuss the Ottawa Occupation saga. Plus, the city manager was let go, what's up with that? And we have a look at — and through — Councillor LeBlanc's transparency motion. Music by Guidewire (aka Ryan Hill). Originally broadcast on 91.3FM CJTR.