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Regina Exhibition Association Limited (REAL) submitted a new budget proposal to Regina City Council on Monday, asking for $11.5 million — $1.2 million less than its original ask of $12.7 million.
The struggling municipal corporation slashed $400,000 from its operating request and $800,000 from its cash flow reserve request at the request of council, which will vote on its 2025 budget on Friday.
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The original amount would have been an increase of about $6.85 million in funding from 2024, comprising 2.21 per cent of the total proposed 8.5 per cent mill rate increase.
“We did build an operating budget that focused on revenue growth, building and improving on relationships, implementation of operational efficiencies and investing in procurement and contract management,” said interim CEO Roberta Engel.
Regina City Council will vote on its 2025 budget on Friday. (Daniel Reech/980 CJME)
Engel said all of these initiatives were in line with previous MNP reports as approved by city council and a procurement audit report commissioned by REAL’s then-interim board of directors in 2024.
Engel explained that cash-flow funding is based on the current operating budget as well as inflows and outflows for REAL’s line of businesses.
She warned that the revised ask increases the financial risk due to economic uncertainties.
“There is always a risk around forecasted cash flows, as it is next to impossible to predict emergency repairs, a cancellation event, uncollectable customer accounts and, with the recent trade tariffs being imposed, the impacts of cost of operations,” she said.
Engel said this could prompt further requests in the future.
She said $4 million in cash flow funding will allow REAL to sustain its operation.
Ward 7 Councillor Shobna Radons asked REAL delegates what would happen if they were to cut another $800,000 from the revised amount, to which Engel said REAL would be hindered in its efforts to move forward.
“We would continue to operate with significant vacancies, we would continue to not generate new revenue, we would continue to just remain status quo,” she said.
“I’m not sure that’s what we’re being asked to do, and I’m not sure that that’s what the new board is here to do.”
Opposition to police funding
Shawn Koch delivered a fiery speech to council speaking against Regina Police Service’s (RPS) budget request of around $123 million.
RPS’s proposed budget represents a $6.97 million increase from 2024 and is the largest item of the initial 8.5 per cent total mill rate increase at 2.25 per cent.
“I want this to be a safe and secure city for everybody but we have to have the conversation about where safety and security comes from. It’s not more walls, more cameras, more surveillance, more police,” Koch said.
“It’s full bellies, it’s roofs over houses, it’s a strong education. This is how we prevent crime, the police do not prevent crime, they protect capital.”
Koch said he wanted the budget savings for RPS’s request to instead go to supporting community safety and well-being through grassroots organizations.
Terri Sleeva also said that excessive police funding diverts funding from essential community programs that would address the root causes of crime.
“Instead of over-militarizing law enforcement, funds should be re-directed towards education, mental health services, affordable housing and job training programs,” Sleeva said.
“Investing in social services reduces crime by tackling poverty, houselessness and untreated mental illness.”
Sleeva said the city should expand community-based initiatives like violence prevention programs and promote restorative justice.
RPS Chief Farooq Sheikh also spoke as a delegate and said that police are making a difference.
“(There are ) 45.45 per cent less homicides in the last 12 months. There were six homicides (in 2024) — which was still six too many — compared to 11 the year before. The lowest number of homicides in 10 years was last year,” Sheikh said.
“I want to share that because people’s perception of crime is that it’s going up and people’s perception of crime is that we’re investing in policing but we’re not seeing any results — I’m sharing the results that you’re seeing and we’re making an impact.”
RPS is seeking to add 13 positions in 2025 and 23 in 2026.
Part of the budget request includes a $580,000 “increase in contracted services, insurance and legal services” as well as increases for things like IT, hardware and supplies.
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