The dishonesty from City Hall civil servants implementing this reversal, and those on Council covering for past Council lies, is really disheartening. The Mayor should correct herself, affordable housing was absolutely promised, and she should do her best to implement it this winter.
UPDATE: Mayor doubles down on playing stupid.
In light of the City’s Catalyst Committee, I had one question for the Committee. I sent it to them through their BeHeard website which indicated 7 people were following the page. A number of days later they responded without providing an answer to my one question.
| City of Regina <notifications@engagementhq.com> | Mon, Oct 17, 2:13 PM |
Hi there,
Thanks for taking the time to visit Be Heard Regina and asking us a question.
You asked:
‘Hi,
Yes, just 1 question. How can we trust the City will follow through with what it decides to do? Mosaic Stadium was constructed under the lie that there would be a bike path constructed from Downtown Regina to the stadium, but when the project was unveiled, there was no such part of the project even attempted. The site says only 7 people are following this, so I’ll expect an answer this week, as you shouldn’t be too busy with all the other questions. Thanks.’
Our response has now been posted on the site.
Our response:
Thank you for your question.
We encourage you to attend the in-person sessions or participate in the online survey to share your thoughts for these projects. The survey is available until end of day November 10.
Please let us know if you have any more questions or if anything needs to be clarified.
Regards
City of Regina
Well, that’s ridiculous. I replied:
Hi,
I don’t have “more” questions, I have my original question that you didn’t answer.
It’s just 1 question. How can we trust the City will follow through with what it publicly decides to do?
I have no trust in your consultation process or willingness to follow through, and there are vacant lots at The Plains Hotel, Taylor Field & The Yards, and a missing bike lane between Downtown and Mosaic Stadium to support my suspicions.
That’s my feedback. I don’t need to complete a survey that’s proposing things that will not happen as promised if you can’t explain why this time is different and will follow the Official Community Plan. Otherwise you’re Lucy holding a football asking me and the public to be Charlie Brown.
Sincerely,
John
UPDATE: The City responded. Still didn’t answer the question though.
Thanks for your follow up comment. Your distrust in the Catalyst Committee consultation process is recognized, respected, and will be shared with the Catalyst Committee.
Regards,
City of Regina
Why would they “respect” distrust? Is it justified?
The Committee makes no effort to defend its integrity when challenged? I guess we’ll see when it’s shared with them. Or rather, I guess we won’t see.
City Council unanimously approved a plan to spend more than $42 Million on making traffic on Arcola Ave. worse. Yes, you heard me, worse. That wasn’t their intention, but Councillor Stadnichuk brought up the problem, and still voted with the pack to make the mistake.
“Direct Administration to bring a supplementary report to City Council
during the 2023-2024 budget consideration, that will include the following:
a) The financial implications to capital planning of the redistribution of
$42.3 million from long to medium term project planning to
expedite the expansion process for the Arcola Avenue corridor”
The City will consider the potential financial implications of building more infrastructure for specifically privately owned, single-occupant motor vehicles, but wasn’t directed by Council to consider the sustainability implications. That’s likely because it violates the Energy and Sustainability Framework’s “Big Moves” related to transportation.
“b) The potential financial implications of adjusting the SAF model to
account for increased costs due to expedition of this project.”
“While the Framework provides an ambitious community-wide plan that will require sustained effort from all sectors of the community, the City of Regina will play a leadership role in modelling the changes and behaviours that are required to reach our goals through advocacy, partnership, awareness/education and direct action in the municipal operation.”
If we’re not addressing transportation with sustainability in mind, why’d we pass the Energy and Sustainability Framework? The Council’s “ambitious community-wide plan” couldn’t even be sustained until even their very next two ~$100M transportation decisions. They took over a hundred million from Transit to build a pool facility, now they’ve assigned nearly that much again to expanding freeways and turning lanes for car drivers with nothing for cyclists or pedestrians or transit users.
My trust is damaged from Council’s inability to implement the crucial Framework. The City Admin is telling Council to implement a plan at least 6 years old, instead of looking to the future with a Framework passed this year.
Here’s an insight by Councillor Bresciani that I hope she takes to heart with her ability to first spend millions on improving transportation infrastructure for either people on bikes, or people in single-occupant motor vehicles who are costing the city more than we can sustain.
The City’s website asks, “Who’s Listening“. Here’s who, with contact info:
Email renewableregina@regina.ca====
Speed limits for Arcola were changed a few years ago, and had no apparent impact on the number of collisions because the number is still far more than 0 every week.
Regina has a new City Council, and it looks like the majority of them favour action on the Renewable City motion. Even the anti-Renewables Mayor Fougere was defeated.
Ward 6 has a new Councillor.
https://www.facebook.com/110084244149454/videos/639068370140266/?tn=%2CO-R
There are bound to be interesting Council meetings coming up, too bad they’re on Wednesday afternoon when people are working. Good luck having the public engaged.
There is so much to do, but first I think overpriced bus fares need to be addressed.
John Klein - Regina 