City Council January 3, 2012

A prayer for judicious action tonight opened the meeting at 5:30.
First there was a presentation by Costco to get a gas bar in their Vic East parking lot.
Mr. Rogers keeps saying ve-HICKle.
A couple questions from Councilors O’Donnell and Findura. After the presenters were seated, another councilor argued for the bar, and the motion passed. Then it was read a second and third time after a short pause for the public to speak if they wanted.

Accessibility committee speaking about snow removal, para transit and other problems.
2000 people a month are denied transit services! That doesn’t meet the City’s vision statement of inclusion.

Downtown plaza didn’t include input from accessibility challenged people until after it was built. A disabled person should be hired to test City systems and infrastructure.

Councilor Fondues asked if one of their six listed were most important. They said they need one through six implemented for the City to meet its vision.

Fully accessible fleet of buses by 2014. Is the capacity enough for everyone who needs the bus? I’d guess not close.

Peter Gilmer speaking on condo conversions. 3% vacancy in rental market is the sign of a healthy market, where people can find a place to rent. Regina is below 1% at .6%! Condo conversion contributes to homelessness in Regina.

At stake are 54 rental units.
Councillor Browne thinks 79% of the 54 would still be rented if converted. Gilmer is skeptical. Browne thinks a permanent freeze will discourage development of new rental housing.

Councilor Fougere says Gilmer has an “interesting” perspective. He then asks if Trickle Down Housing will happen if condo owners move out of lower cost housing.

Antipoverty Network speaker expressed dismay that Councilors have not connected homelessness with the removal of affordable housing. Listing conversion rules in Ottawa, Hamilton and elsewhere.
Social impact assessments are not being done, bit they should be.

Fougere asks if the delegation has presented to the provincial government, presumably to indicate he doesn’t think this is a problem the city can solve.

Jim Elliot speaking against the Hamilton St. Demolition.

Diane Delaney of PADS speaks next. SK has third highest child poverty rate in Canada. Women are staying with abusive partners rather than live homeless. Homes are a place to relax, and for the people there to express who they are. Homeless people cannot have a shower, or living in a van with kids. Lawmakers appear to not empathize with thaws people.

Converted properties if rented always cost more.

I had to leave early, right after Shawn Fraser of Carmichael Outreach had his say. Again, a Councilor, this time O’Donnel, main question was if the delegate had spoken with, or planned to speak to, the provincial government. It’s my belief that councilors do not believe that they can affect the homelessness problem in Regina through their bylaws. They certainly can, and do, however.