Paul Dechene
@pauldechene.bsky.social
Writing about city council in Regina, Saskatchewan. Co-host of the Queen City Improvement Bureau on 91.3FM CJTR - www.queencityib.com. Columns in Prairie Dog Magazine. There will be swearing. Proceed at your own risk.
Pinned
QCIB Nov 20 2025 - Happy Draft Budget Day!
YouTube video by PD City Hall — Paul Dechene
youtu.be
The Queen City Improvement Bureau's first thoughts on the 2026 Regina city budget, now on Youtube: youtu.be/d2shJTM2TfM?... #yqrcc
Reposted by Paul Dechene
He endores clean carbon capture.
In Sask the only measure of how well it works is how many cars worth of C02 it injects into the ground ebery yr. They don't add back the oil that C02 frees up to be burned.
It would have been cheaper and more effective to give every family a free EV.
In Sask the only measure of how well it works is how many cars worth of C02 it injects into the ground ebery yr. They don't add back the oil that C02 frees up to be burned.
It would have been cheaper and more effective to give every family a free EV.
November 26, 2025 at 3:17 AM
He endores clean carbon capture.
In Sask the only measure of how well it works is how many cars worth of C02 it injects into the ground ebery yr. They don't add back the oil that C02 frees up to be burned.
It would have been cheaper and more effective to give every family a free EV.
In Sask the only measure of how well it works is how many cars worth of C02 it injects into the ground ebery yr. They don't add back the oil that C02 frees up to be burned.
It would have been cheaper and more effective to give every family a free EV.
Reposted by Paul Dechene
Hey folks! You're running out of time to buy tickets in the CJTR AccessNow Radio fall 50/50. Draw is THIS THURSDAY. Pot is at $9,010! Support community radio while entering to win a chance to win bucks! accessnowradio.ca/fall5050/
Fall 50/50 Raffle! | AccessNow Radio 91.3FM
accessnowradio.ca
November 25, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Hey folks! You're running out of time to buy tickets in the CJTR AccessNow Radio fall 50/50. Draw is THIS THURSDAY. Pot is at $9,010! Support community radio while entering to win a chance to win bucks! accessnowradio.ca/fall5050/
I don't know why I do this to myself… An idea will come to council & I'll be, "YES! THIS IS AWESOME! I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE THIS! IT'LL BE GREAT!!! GO GO GO!" & then the report comes back & staff's recommendations are lame & it's just so demoralizing. #yqrcc
I really had super high hopes for this report on underutilized lands. City staff said, "Yeah, no. Let's keep doing basically the same thing that's left us with a downtown full of empty parking lots." #yqrcc
November 25, 2025 at 9:32 PM
I don't know why I do this to myself… An idea will come to council & I'll be, "YES! THIS IS AWESOME! I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE THIS! IT'LL BE GREAT!!! GO GO GO!" & then the report comes back & staff's recommendations are lame & it's just so demoralizing. #yqrcc
Here's the CBC Blue Sky I was on today at noon. They also had Councillor Rashovich on as a call in guest. Big thanks to Leisha & Nichole and everyone else at CBC Sask! (Thanks for the water bottle Taron!) #yqrcc
www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
© CBC/Radio-Canada 2025. All rights reserved.
www.cbc.ca
November 25, 2025 at 9:29 PM
Here's the CBC Blue Sky I was on today at noon. They also had Councillor Rashovich on as a call in guest. Big thanks to Leisha & Nichole and everyone else at CBC Sask! (Thanks for the water bottle Taron!) #yqrcc
www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
www.cbc.ca/listen/live-...
two reports going to Exec Cmte tomorrow that I'm more than a little frickin annoyed by: Review of Nuisance and Derelict Properties & Underutilized Land Improvement Strategy - 5 Year Review. (repost, swearing removed) #yqrcc /1
November 25, 2025 at 8:11 PM
two reports going to Exec Cmte tomorrow that I'm more than a little frickin annoyed by: Review of Nuisance and Derelict Properties & Underutilized Land Improvement Strategy - 5 Year Review. (repost, swearing removed) #yqrcc /1
Reposted by Paul Dechene
2025 climate chaos
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1988 James Hansen testifies before Congress, warning of danger—the culmination of decades of science and environmentalism.
We've known all this was coming for a long, long time.
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1988 James Hansen testifies before Congress, warning of danger—the culmination of decades of science and environmentalism.
We've known all this was coming for a long, long time.
November 25, 2025 at 6:03 AM
2025 climate chaos
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1988 James Hansen testifies before Congress, warning of danger—the culmination of decades of science and environmentalism.
We've known all this was coming for a long, long time.
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1988 James Hansen testifies before Congress, warning of danger—the culmination of decades of science and environmentalism.
We've known all this was coming for a long, long time.
I've said a couple times that this year's city budget is less user friendly than in past. I take it back. I just got used to the old budget format. Now that I get what the deal is with all the appendices — and once I read Appendix J — the whole thing makes a lot more sense. #yqrcc
November 25, 2025 at 1:35 AM
I've said a couple times that this year's city budget is less user friendly than in past. I take it back. I just got used to the old budget format. Now that I get what the deal is with all the appendices — and once I read Appendix J — the whole thing makes a lot more sense. #yqrcc
Further to this thread, I now have an more complete list of organizations receiving Community Investment Grant Program Funding. It's 146 names long & it doesn't even include community associations.
I'm going to post the list I have so far to bsky right now. Hold on to your hats. It's enormous… /1
I'm going to post the list I have so far to bsky right now. Hold on to your hats. It's enormous… /1
Sorry to harp on about this, but item 60 in budget Appendix M13 contemplates ending the Community Investment Grant Program. That this is being considered, however remotely, is crazy. I'm struggling to find a list of all the groups the CIGP funds b/c if you saw it, it'd blow your mind. #yqrcc /1
November 24, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Further to this thread, I now have an more complete list of organizations receiving Community Investment Grant Program Funding. It's 146 names long & it doesn't even include community associations.
I'm going to post the list I have so far to bsky right now. Hold on to your hats. It's enormous… /1
I'm going to post the list I have so far to bsky right now. Hold on to your hats. It's enormous… /1
Neil from Access just pointed out where the CIGP recipient lists are on the city's website that I had completely overlooked. I feel like a doof. #yqrcc
I know there's a complete list of CIGP recipients somewhere but I'll be buggered if I can find it.
If you know where the complete CIGP list is or have an idea where I could get it (like the date of the council meeting the last time the program was revised) I'd love to find out.
Thanks. #yqrcc
If you know where the complete CIGP list is or have an idea where I could get it (like the date of the council meeting the last time the program was revised) I'd love to find out.
Thanks. #yqrcc
November 24, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Neil from Access just pointed out where the CIGP recipient lists are on the city's website that I had completely overlooked. I feel like a doof. #yqrcc
Sorry to harp on about this, but item 60 in budget Appendix M13 contemplates ending the Community Investment Grant Program. That this is being considered, however remotely, is crazy. I'm struggling to find a list of all the groups the CIGP funds b/c if you saw it, it'd blow your mind. #yqrcc /1
November 24, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Sorry to harp on about this, but item 60 in budget Appendix M13 contemplates ending the Community Investment Grant Program. That this is being considered, however remotely, is crazy. I'm struggling to find a list of all the groups the CIGP funds b/c if you saw it, it'd blow your mind. #yqrcc /1
This wouldn't solve the whole of the city's financial problem but if I was on council, my first budget suggestion would be: Sell Mosaic stadium to the province.
Take those funds & put them in a Recreation Facilities Reserve. /1 #yqrcc
Take those funds & put them in a Recreation Facilities Reserve. /1 #yqrcc
November 24, 2025 at 5:58 PM
This wouldn't solve the whole of the city's financial problem but if I was on council, my first budget suggestion would be: Sell Mosaic stadium to the province.
Take those funds & put them in a Recreation Facilities Reserve. /1 #yqrcc
Take those funds & put them in a Recreation Facilities Reserve. /1 #yqrcc
I know that council is unlikely to implement all $68mil in cuts in the budget's Appendix M13. But they have put $68mil worth of programs on the chopping block & the folks connected to them are going think, "If I don't show up as a delegation, will council gut my thing?" #yqrcc /1
November 24, 2025 at 5:25 PM
I know that council is unlikely to implement all $68mil in cuts in the budget's Appendix M13. But they have put $68mil worth of programs on the chopping block & the folks connected to them are going think, "If I don't show up as a delegation, will council gut my thing?" #yqrcc /1
Reposted by Paul Dechene
Chambers if Commerce: "you need to incentivise businesses because their tax revenues drive everything."
Cities: "ok here's free land and we will pay 30% of your construction."
COCs: also we can't pay taxes.
www.cjme.com/2025/11/24/r...
Cities: "ok here's free land and we will pay 30% of your construction."
COCs: also we can't pay taxes.
www.cjme.com/2025/11/24/r...
Regina chamber CEO says potential tax hike could be ‘crippling’ for businesses
CEO of the Regina and District Chamber of Commerce Mike Tate says the tax could hurt members and the city could explore new methods of service delivery as it tries to close a $51 million deficit.
www.cjme.com
November 24, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Chambers if Commerce: "you need to incentivise businesses because their tax revenues drive everything."
Cities: "ok here's free land and we will pay 30% of your construction."
COCs: also we can't pay taxes.
www.cjme.com/2025/11/24/r...
Cities: "ok here's free land and we will pay 30% of your construction."
COCs: also we can't pay taxes.
www.cjme.com/2025/11/24/r...
The video of Rashovich asking admin to game out a 5% budget reduction is pretty long so I've added chapter titles to help with the jumping around. youtu.be/BXC7FNft0G4?... #yqrcc
Sep 16 2025 - Clr Rashovich Imagines A Diminished City
YouTube video by PD City Hall — Paul Dechene
youtu.be
November 24, 2025 at 2:55 PM
The video of Rashovich asking admin to game out a 5% budget reduction is pretty long so I've added chapter titles to help with the jumping around. youtu.be/BXC7FNft0G4?... #yqrcc
If you're wondering about the size of mandate that's driving the Grumpy Facebook Granpa's push to slash the city budget, note that Rashovich won his spot on council by a mere 35 votes, Tsiklis by 27 votes and Bezo by 132 votes.
#yqrcc
#yqrcc
November 24, 2025 at 2:26 PM
If you're wondering about the size of mandate that's driving the Grumpy Facebook Granpa's push to slash the city budget, note that Rashovich won his spot on council by a mere 35 votes, Tsiklis by 27 votes and Bezo by 132 votes.
#yqrcc
#yqrcc
Wondering what the careful and deliberate process behind the budget's Appendix M13 looked like? Here's council's full debate on it, from initial pitch to final vote.
youtu.be/BXC7FNft0G4 #yqrcc
youtu.be/BXC7FNft0G4 #yqrcc
Sep 16 2025 - Clr Rashovich Imagines A Diminished City
YouTube video by PD City Hall — Paul Dechene
youtu.be
November 24, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Wondering what the careful and deliberate process behind the budget's Appendix M13 looked like? Here's council's full debate on it, from initial pitch to final vote.
youtu.be/BXC7FNft0G4 #yqrcc
youtu.be/BXC7FNft0G4 #yqrcc
I believe there are still a few city councillors who need their own copy of this poster version of the cost of sprawl venn diagram (w/ explanatory notes). I should drop those off soon. #yqrcc
November 24, 2025 at 4:23 AM
I believe there are still a few city councillors who need their own copy of this poster version of the cost of sprawl venn diagram (w/ explanatory notes). I should drop those off soon. #yqrcc
The real budget buster is the "Uncontrollable Cost Increase" line which contributes 7.45% to the mill rate increase. I'm going to skip ahead and find out what that is… #yqrcc
November 24, 2025 at 4:18 AM
The real budget buster is the "Uncontrollable Cost Increase" line which contributes 7.45% to the mill rate increase. I'm going to skip ahead and find out what that is… #yqrcc
I know there's a lot of bad feelings about the Indoor Aquatic Facility blowing up the budget. It didn't. The dedicated mill rate increase of 0.5% is small & in line w/ the 0.45% over 10 years that was charged for the stadium. The real budget buster is the water network expansion at 1.73% #yqrcc
November 24, 2025 at 4:10 AM
I know there's a lot of bad feelings about the Indoor Aquatic Facility blowing up the budget. It didn't. The dedicated mill rate increase of 0.5% is small & in line w/ the 0.45% over 10 years that was charged for the stadium. The real budget buster is the water network expansion at 1.73% #yqrcc
There's so much destruction in Appendix M13 of the budget but mind if I spend a sec looking at 2 lines that would impact me pretty fucking directly: items 56 & 60 which would close the Cathedral Neighbourhood Centre, end the Cathedral Village Community Assn & probably kill the Arts Festival. #yqrcc
November 23, 2025 at 5:58 PM
There's so much destruction in Appendix M13 of the budget but mind if I spend a sec looking at 2 lines that would impact me pretty fucking directly: items 56 & 60 which would close the Cathedral Neighbourhood Centre, end the Cathedral Village Community Assn & probably kill the Arts Festival. #yqrcc
In the second half of this week's QCIB, we take a look at the 14 pages of potential cuts admin identified could *reduce* mill rate by 5%. Note: Items I mentioned I picked at random. They were ALL BAD!
Rashovich's list will create a withered ghost city.
#yqrcc
Rashovich's list will create a withered ghost city.
#yqrcc
QCIB Nov 20 2025 - Happy Draft Budget Day!
YouTube video by PD City Hall — Paul Dechene
youtu.be
November 23, 2025 at 4:30 PM
In the second half of this week's QCIB, we take a look at the 14 pages of potential cuts admin identified could *reduce* mill rate by 5%. Note: Items I mentioned I picked at random. They were ALL BAD!
Rashovich's list will create a withered ghost city.
#yqrcc
Rashovich's list will create a withered ghost city.
#yqrcc
Reposted by Paul Dechene
Increase in property tax is inevitable and it is going to hurt the pockets of every property owner. If we were to go around the city, we will probably find more area occupied by large parking lots or vacant land. The owners should be taxed which probably can subsidize the tax for home owners.
November 23, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Increase in property tax is inevitable and it is going to hurt the pockets of every property owner. If we were to go around the city, we will probably find more area occupied by large parking lots or vacant land. The owners should be taxed which probably can subsidize the tax for home owners.
