Sandra Masters confident in Regina’s future despite city hall turnover

The Mayor of Regina remains optimistic about the city’s future as more changes occur at the top of city hall.

The departure of Barry Lacey marks the sixth time an executive member has retired, resigned, or been fired from the city since 2022.

“I did reach out to Barry and say that as it relates to Audit and Finance Committee he had been doing some really good work, we’ve got some exceptional reports coming out of him, and that I would miss him and miss his corporate knowledge,” said Mayor Sandra Masters.

Lacey’s contract as the Deputy City Manager of Financial Strategy and Sustainability ended last week. His role included managing operating and capital budgets.

Prior to Lacey’s departure, former city manager Chris Holden was fired in 2022. Less than a month later, the city issued a media release saying it and its executive director of city planning and community development, Diana Hawryluk, had “mutually agreed to part ways.” Louise Folk retired from her role as director of planning as did Kim Onrait, executive director of citizen services, and city solicitor Byron Werry in the first half of 2023.

“I think that an organization this size, there are lots of folks underneath as well. So, there are a number of Deputy City Managers right now who are directors of their particular field. So, there is that, but losing someone like Barry Lacey is always tough,” said Masters.