Queen City Improvement Bureau

On this week's agenda: New housing minister has thoughts on housing prices, Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant update, money for Taylor Field Redevelopment, borrowing bucks for infrastructure. Music by Ryan Hill (aka Guidewire). Originally broadcast on 91.3FM CJTR, AccessNow community radio.

This week was supposed to be slow one at city hall so this meeting was going to be about The Herculoids. But then council happened! And they had to go and give nearly $7 million as a ransom to keep the city's second Costco location notionally within our borders. Also, fluoride. Music by Guidewire (aka Ryan Hill). Originally broadcast on 91.3FM CJTR, AccessNow community radio.

Crazy goings on at city hall. City manager on leave. Senior staff let go. Budget crows come home to roost. Council plans to kill a day re-litigating water fluoridation. Music by Guidewire (aka Ryan Hill). Originally broadcast on 91.3FM CJTR, AccessNow community radio.

Singer/songwriter Belle Plaine and guitar operator Bryn Besse visit the subbasement to play some tunes, talk some shit. Very music rich QCIB, this one. Music much too good for the likes of this office. We got v lucky. Theme music by Ryan Hill (aka Guidewire). Originally broadcast on 91.3FM CJTR, AccessNow community radio.

Following up on last week's game of "Can Council Make Aidan's Head Explode", the Bureau does what Certain Councillors were too chicken to do: We put questions to the Good Trouble Network directly. Tiro & Kale are visiting the sub-basement to talk about the food assistance program they're bringing to the Heritage neighbourhood. Theme music by Guidewire (aka Ryan Hill). Additional music by Kimberley Fury. Originally broadcast on 91.3FM CJTR, AccessNow community radio.

Don't you love it when council has a perfectly benign motion on their agenda that should pass quickly and be a good news story but somehow they find a way to make it gross and awful? And by "don't you love it?" I mean, "don't you hate it?" In this case, it's Clr Victoria Flores' food security motion which Clrs Bezo, Tsiklis & Rashovich brought so much of their conservative brand of yuck to. Aidan hadn't listened to any of this council meeting so I collected a bunch of representative audio clips and we got to play a new game I like to call "Can Council Make Aidan's Head Explode?" Music by Guidewire (aka Ryan Hill). Originally broadcast on 91.3FM CJTR, AccessNow community radio in Regina.

So… we sent our intern and CJTR's erstwhile Prairie Naturalist, Sharrod Claerge, out to get us coffee like… years ago… (he insists his name is actually "Jared Clarke" and that he now has a “real job” but we don't believe him because that's exactly the kind of thing Sharrod would say, the jokester). Sharrod's back - coffee-less (sigh) - to talk about "Salthaven West" and "wildlife rescue" and "conservation" and "nature" and… I don't know, man. I just wanted a coffee. The Typical 18-Year Old Girl also drops into the subbasement for a conversation about the week at Executive Committee and housing platforms in advance of the April 28 federal election. It's a real cavalcade of QCIB secondary characters this week. Music by Ryan Hill (aka Guidewire). Originally broadcast on 91.3FM CJTR, AccessNow community radio.

Ward 6 councillor Victoria Flores visits the subbasement. She updates us on her Manufactured Homes motion and talks about the budget. Music by Guidewire (aka Ryan Hill). Originally broadcast on 91.3FM CJTR, AccessNow community radio.

Jon & Kelly from the Queen City Urbanist Bookclub are back to chat about the four-day 2025 city budget process. It was… an adventure! Based off some councillors' performance, you should probably look up "Dunning Kruger Effect". It's a phrase that may come up a lot. Music by Ryan Hill (aka Guidewire). Originally broadcast on 91.3FM CJTR, AccessNow community radio.

Ward 8 councillor Shanon Zachidniak visits the subbasement to talk about what it's like being the lone two-termer on council, the upcoming week of budget discussions, the Energy & Sustainability Framework, recycling, composting, housing and much more. Music by Guidewire (aka Ryan Hill). Originally broadcast on 91.3FM CJTR, AccessNow community radio.

John Kennedy and Chris Matchett visit the subbasement to promote the Not A Birthday Fundraiser on March 13 at the Exchange — which the QCIB will be hosting, as it happens. Plus, we discuss council voting down rental housing and their repeated failure to understand how referral motions work. Chris performs a couple songs. Theme music by Ryan Hill (aka Guidewire). Originally broadcast on 91.3FM CJTR AccessNow community radio.

The Bureau gets a visit from the Jon and Kelly Lorenc from the Queen City Urbanist Bookclub. Music by Guidewire (aka Ryan Hill). Originally broadcast on 91.3FM CJTR.

In the first half, the tale of two municipal corporations. There is CSIR who is to die! And there is EDR who you will listen to and wish you were dead! In the second half, we have a surprise guest. AND IF YOU DO NOT WANT THE SURPRISE GUEST'S IDENTITY SPOILED READ NO FURTHER! okay… the surprise guest is new councillor Mark Burton from ward 4. Yes! The "compact urban squalor" guy. We talk to him about the 2025 budget proposal. Then we give him a chance to respond to our two weeks worth of dunking on him. Music by Ryan Hill (aka Guidewire). Originally broadcast on 91.3FM CJTR.

Some great things passed at city council's first meeting of 2025 including a motion to consider giving surface parking lots their own property tax class, a pilot to explore giving high school students free transit, more. Also, Aidan hates numbers. Music by Guidewire (aka Ryan Hill). Originally broadcast on 91.3FM CJTR, Regina community radio.

Our new city council met for their first Executive Committee meeting of 2025 and we take a look at how they distinguished themselves. Spoilers: Sub-awesome. On the agenda, EX25-2 Regina Housing Needs Assessment, EX25-3 2025 Housing Incentives Policy Pilots & Revisions, EX25-4 Office to Residential Incentive Pilot and EX25-6 Speakers' Corner Drainage Renewal Project. Music by Ryan Hill (aka Guidewire). Originally broadcast on 91.3FM CJTR.

University of Regina geography professor Vanessa Mathews visits the subbasement to talk about two items coming to council: a motion to set a new property tax classification for nuisance and underused properties (like surface parking lots, for instance), and a motion to start a pilot program for free transit for high school kids. We also talk about the concept plan for the Scarth St pedestrian mall renovation. (Spoilers: they're keeping it a pedestrian mall). No Aidan this week as he is away negotiating an MOU for a Food & Yard Waste Joint Use Agreement with Regina's crows and ravens. Music by Ryan Hill (aka Guidewire). Originally broadcast on 91.3FM CJTR

We got the Queen City's new mayor, Chad Bachynski, on the phone for 15 min at the crack of dawn so we could pin him down with questions about federal infrastructure funding, the Housing Accelerator Fund, residential upzoning and some ignorant, mildly sweary stuff that federal opposition leader, Pierre Poilievre, said about cities. Seriously, what's Poilievre's damage? Plus, We're Number Five! And, how did council's first real meeting go… really? Music by Guidewire (aka Ryan Hill). Originally broadcast on 91.3FM CJTR.

Regina's new council has their first executive committee meeting and it starts with a tax-hike blooding to initiate in the newbs. Take that, Advance Regina! Plus, Pierre Poilievre declares war on all of Canada's cities. What's that guy's damage, anyway? Music by Guidewire (aka Ryan Hill). Originally broadcast on 91.3FM CJTR.

It's our post-election WTF? episode. New councillors. Gone councillors. Advance Regina did stuff. Mayor rhymes with hair. You just know we're going to be riding that gag for four years. Music by Guidewire (aka Ryan Hill). Originally broadcast on 91.3FM CJTR.

The 2024 Regina municipal election finally reaches its climax as results pour in on Nov 13. The Queen City Improvement Bureau was there, capturing every moment of the drama. In the studio with us: renowned election nerds David Loblaw (of the drloblaw.com election site) and Pat Book (former city hall reporter for CJME & The 2024 Regina municipal election finally reaches its climax as results pour in on Nov 13. The Queen City Improvement Bureau was there, capturing every moment of the drama. In the studio with us: renowned election nerds David Loblaw (of the drloblaw.com election site) and Pat Book (erstwhile CJME city hall reporter & former man in the mayor's office) and outgoing councillor (& election nerd) Cheryl Stadnichuk. Music by Guidewire (aka Ryan Hill). Originally broadcast LIVE FOR FOUR HOURS! on 91.3FM CJTR, Regina community radio. ) and outgoing councillor (& election nerd) Cheryl Stadnichuk. Music by Guidewire (aka Ryan Hill). Originally broadcast LIVE FOR FOUR HOURS! on 91.3FM CJTR, Regina community radio.

Once again, we have city hall reporters Larissa Kurz from the Leader Post & Alex Quon from the CBC in the subbasement to talk about the 2024 city election. We cover all the shenanigans by shadowy forces who are attempting to influence voters. Plus, a mayoral candidate gets a big endorsement from a former mayor. Music by Guidewire (aka Ryan Hill). Originally broadcast on 91.3FM CJTR, Regina community radio.

NINE FREAKING YEARS of this nonsense! Can you freaking believe it? The Queen City Improvement Bureau went on out over CJTR's airwaves for the first time on Oct 31 2015 and here we are, several elections, multiple scandals, a pandemic, some lawsuits, an asteroid impact, two robot revolutions, that incident with the time slip and a sorry episode with a hyperintelligent shark THAT WE HAD NOTHING TO DO WITH, and we've malingered through it all. Tonight, instead of throwing a party for our aging selves, we held a regular meeting, this one to go over the final mayoral candidate debate before 2024 Regina city election. Music by Ryan Hill (aka Guidewire). Originally broadcast on 91.3FM CJTR.

City election nerd and keeper of the best and most complete online list of council candidates, David Loblaw, visits the subbasement to talk about his love for elections and how he thought the candidates did in the Oct 20 Cathedral Mayoral Candidate Forum. Music by Ryan Hill (aka Guidewire). Originally broadcast on 91.3FM CJTR.

Former mayoral candidate Brandon Abtosway visits the sub-basement to talk about why he ran, why he dropped out, what he learned. Plus, Skuare is coming to downtown. What's up with that? Music by Guidewire (aka Ryan Hill). Originally broadcast on 91.3FM CJTR.

City hall reporters, Larissa Kurz from the Leader Post and Alex Quon from the CBC are in the subbasement for the first QCIB political panel for the 2024 election season. Music by Guidewire (aka Ryan Hill). Originally broadcast on 91.3FM CJTR, Regina community radio.

A candidate has dropped out of the mayoral race and we honour their now-defunct campaign in song / butcher Tracy Chapman's Fast Cars. Plus, council is cramming some massively important decisions into their last handful of meetings. We look at how the Indoor Aquatic Centre and Library Central Branch are still causing controversy and keeping council in chambers for hours upon hours. Music by Ryan Hill (aka Guidewire). Apologies to Tracy Chapman. Originally broadcast on 91.3FM CJTR.

We talk with Kim Sare, senior planner with the City of Regina, about the consultation on the Scarth St pedestrian mall (aka the FW Hill Mall). We find out why they're changing the street, what they've heard, what they're thinking about, what is possible. Then, election update as more mayoral candidates emerge bringing the total number up to seven. And, council debates another possible location for a permanent emergency shelter. Music by Guidewire (aka Ryan Hill). Originally broadcast on 91.3FM CJTR.

Two new, arguably legit contenders for the mayor's seat have emerged so we look at the state of the municipal election race for mid September. Plus, the Riders don't want to pay their back-rent. Music by Guidewire (aka Ryan Hill). Originally broadcast on 91.3FM CJTR.

Aidan couldn't make it to the meeting so instead of the usual nonsense, I held a dance party where I played tracks from the Infrastructure Playlist (first conceived & compiled by Elan Morgan). The podcast version here only includes short snippets from each song. About all that's left here is an update on the 2024 city election, including coverage of the Regina & District Labour Council candidate endorsements which were announced on Labour Day. You can listen to the full episode, songs included, on the QCIB's CJTR page. Or you can check out the full Infrastructure Playlist here. Theme music by Guidewire (aka Ryan Hill). Originally broadcast on 91.3FM CJTR.

Krystal Lewis of Progress Regina fame visits the subbasement to talk about progressive organizing around the municipal election, the current city council record and Hampton Hub. In the second half, we take a look at the city's decision to expand its debt limit. Music by Ryan Hill (aka Guidewire). Originally broadcast on 91.3FM CJTR.

Outgoing ward 3 councillor Andrew Stevens makes his way to the sub-basement to offer some of his tips & tricks for anyone seeking election to Regina city council. We talk about some of his favourite projects from his time on council, even a regret or two. We also discuss the Aug 21 2024 city council meeting and what was &/or wasn't accomplished there such as the reconsideration of the location of the permanent emergency shelter, the renaming of Dewdney Ave and the proposed Indoor Aquatic Facility. Music by Ryan Hill (aka Guidewire). Originally broadcast on 91.3FM CJTR.

Outgoing Ward 1 councillor Cheryl Stadnichuk shares her tips and tricks for new councillors. Plus, we talk about the latest evolution of the Indoor Aquatic Facility. Music by Ryan Hill (aka Guidewire). Originally broadcast on 91.3FM CJTR.

Election update 2024, Wascana Pool reopens, Queen Cityhavians excited by new Costco parking lot, four-plex in Cathedral irks social media. Plus, an interview with Bill Nehr, Regina's manager of city projects. We discuss the Muscowpetung Saulteaux proposal for the Yards, the latest baseball stadium study, Housing Accelerator project progress and the North Central revitalization initiative. Music by Guidewire (aka Ryan Hill). Originally broadcast on 91.3FM CJTR.

A conversation with Myke Agecoutay from Muscowpetung Saulteaux First Nation about their proposal for an Indigenous business centre at the Yards — a location the city is currently considering for a baseball stadium. Plus, 2024 city election update and the Neighbourhood Plan Review. Music by Eric Hill (aka Guidewire). Originally broadcast on 91.3FM CJTR.

It's a council catch-up day in the Bureau. We talk about the aborted permanent emergency shelter location, the approval of the Douglas Ave apartment, the continuing REAL saga, the city is swiming in debt both real and soon-to-be, the library wants to borrow money, new development charges. Clips from the meetings we discuss in this meeting can be found at https://www.youtube.com/@PDCityHall/videos Music by Ryan Hill (aka Guidewire). Originally broadcast on 91.3FM CJTR.

We speak with Stu Niebergall from the Regina And Region Homebuilders Association about council's efforts to remove exclusionary single-family zoning and the impacts that will have on the city's residential market. Music by Ryan Hill (aka Guidewire). Originally broadcast on 91.3FM CJTR, Regina's community radio station.

The Queen City Improvement Bureau was "live" on stage at the Artesian on 13th for the Cathedral Village Arts Festival. We played "Name That City Councillor" with Leader Post reporter Larissa Kurz, performed a classic Queen City Tender Moment, and read from the upcoming erotic novel "Pounded By Duplexes: How I Went From NIMBY To YIMBY". Plus, a Q&A session with our audience. Thanks to Neil Adams from CJTR for recording the show for us and to Dana and the crew at Artesian for all their technical support. Huge thanks also to everyone who came out. We could not have hoped for a smarter or more supportive crowd. You guys are great! Music by Ryan Hill (aka Guidewire). Broadcast on 91.3FM CJTR.

Council accidentally passed a 40km/h speed limit for Cathedral. What's up with Councillor Nelson's point of order against Councillor Hawkins. Plus! We have a live show coming up May 22 at the Artesian during the Cathedral Village Arts Festival. Music by Ryan Hill (aka Guidewire). Originally broadcast on 91.3FM CJTR.

Another mayor announces the Yards Project! Opposition to the Housing Accelerator Fund grows — in size & in misinformation! Vision Zero passes! What say the Servants Of The Blood God? Music by Ryan Hill (aka Guidewire). Originally broadcast on 91.3FM CJTR.

We take a tour of some of the NIMBY arguments being use to obstruct the city's intensification plans needed to access $35 million in federal Housing Accelerator Fund money. Plus, the city releases its financial update for 2023 and it makes Aidan laugh very hard. Music by Ryan Hill (aka Guidewire). Originally broadcast on 91.3FM CJTR, Regina community radio.

We meet with Laura Pfeifer, the city's manager of city revitalization, to talk about the Housing Accelerator Fund and the changes that hath wrought upon yon Lawes Of The Bye. Then we discuss the city's Vision Zero Framework and a proposal to define the entire Cathedral neighbourhood as a Community Safety Zone — the effect of which would be to reduce the speed limit in the area to 30km/h. Music by Guidewire. Originally broadcast on 91.3FM CJTR.

This meeting of the Bureau is packed with trivial nonsense, like an attempt to rent land off the city for a dollar that goes nowhere and a Clr Nelson Moment that … goes nowhere. Plus, Globe Theatre gets cash! And! Madame Web! Music by Guidewire (aka Ryan Hill). Originally broadcast on 91.3FM CJTR.

News from the Feb 14 2024 city council meeting: Bylaw changes inspired by the federal Housing Accelerator Fund have passed but there are concerns about how the housing-friendly measures will interact with the city's various housing-unfriendly neighbourhood plans. Then, council unanimously passes the North Cental Revitalization Initiative and it includes direction to establish a community-led land trust. Overall, a pretty exciting council meeting. Music by Guidewire (aka Ryan Hill). First broadcast on 91.3FM CJTR.

The QCIB returns to the CJTR studio for the first time in… a very long time. On the agenda: REAL's finances are fffFFFFfff-f-f-f-fairly bad; Councillor Terina Nelson wins Most Insightful Comment By A Councillor Award; Mayors motion to accelerate housing may face province-sized problems; sky-diving Christian babies. Music by Guidewire (aka Ryan Hill). Originally broadcast on 91.3FM CJTR.

We celebrate CJTR's 2023 Radiothon by taking the Queen City Improvement Bureau out of the subbasement and recording our. meeting before a living-human audience in the Rebellion Taproom in the heart of the Warehouse District. We talk to some of the fine folks who came out to support community radio. On the mic with us, we have CJTR station manager Neil Adams along with QCIB listeners Lauren, Deron Staffen, local legend Jim Elliot, and CJTR board member Alan Hall. And in a special podcast bonus, we run a solo interview Paul had with ward 8 councillor Shanon Zachidniak. Huge thanks to everyone who came out to support CJTR during Radiothon by enduring our meeting. Another huge thanks to Rebellion Brewing and Taphouse for welcoming us and for supporting community radio. Music by Guidewire (aka Ryan Hill). Originally broadcast on 91.3FM CJTR Regina community radio.

As homeless people build an encampment on city hall's lawn, Mayor Masters clears Henry Baker Hall of malcontents so council can conclude the LeBlanc/Stevens Saga in peace. Plus: Are you one with the Goat Unanimity? And: Rest easy, citizen! Councillor Hawkins is here to defend your parking! Music by Ryan Hill (aka Guidewire). Originally broadcast on 91.3FM CJTR.

Council watcher, Andrew James Reist, visits the subbasement to talk about what inspired him to take an interest in #YQRCC. Then we take a look at council's latest monster — as in, >700 pages — agenda. Music by Ryan Hill (aka Guidewire). Originally broadcast on 91.3FM CJTR.

Journalist Alex Birrell visits the subbasement to discuss his piece in Sask Dispatch, "Sexism & Sandra Masters' City". We also discuss housing and the collapse of Regina's suburban sprawl Ponzi scheme. Plus, it's another instalment of City Council Teenage Super Drama: Redux as Clr Nelson files an integrity complaint against Clr Stevens for spreading confidential information! It's all anybody is talking about in the lunchroom! Music by Ryan Hill (aka Guidewire). Originally broadcast on 91.3FM CJTR.

City hall is contemplating big changes for the Scarth pedestrian mall in downtown. Will they put cars on it? Will they keep it car free? Aidan takes the Scarth Survey live on-air! Does it really matter? Yeah… probably not. Plus, from the (tragically thin) Good News folder, the city is applying for $36 million to be used to get 1,100 new homes ready to build within four years. Music by Ryan Hill (aka Guidewire). Originally broadcast on 91.3FM CJTR.

Don Young, executive director of the Cathedral Village Arts Festival, visits the sub-basement to give us a preview of this year's festival. Plus, more cringe at council as there's been an integrity complaint against councillors Dan LeBlanc and Andrew Stevens over their court action against the city manager. Music by Ryan Hill (aka Guidewire). Originally broadcast on 91.3FM CJTR.

Julian Wotherspoon, the author of the letter supporting Councillor Dan LeBlanc's lawsuit to put an ending-homelessness line item in the 2023 budget, is in the sub-basement to set the record straight about some scurrilous aspersions cast by A Certain City Councillor about the intellectual autonomy of the people who signed said letter. Plus, electric kick scooters are now legal in the Queen City; city council approves ANOTHER downtown surface parking lot but don't worry, it's okay, this surface parking lot is "A Good One"; a cool apartment building is going up in the Heritage community; and, new heritage property maintenance standards are coming into effect and certain owners of heritage properties aren't happy. Music by Guidewire (aka Ryan Hill). Originally broadcast on 91.3FM CJTR.