Council votes unanimously on list of projects thanks to federal funding for transit, housing initiatives
CTV
Regina city council has voted unanimously on how to spend over $9 million in federal and provincial funding for housing and transit initiatives.
Regina city council has voted unanimously on how to spend over $9 million in federal and provincial funding for housing and transit initiatives.
In December, the city was notified they would be the recipient of $9,465,736 as part of a federal grant.
“It felt like Christmas,” described Mayor Sandra Masters. “When an extra cost comes in, it’s nice to have the money available that you can attribute to it to make sure that’s not one of the hold ups and that project can continue to be constructed. It’s a big deal.”
The grant is part of a $750 million proposal to cover municipal shortfalls in transit operating costs during the pandemic.
“The money got divided out based on ridership levels within each municipality,” said Ly Pham, the chief of staff to city manager Niki Anderson. “The caveat is that the province does have to cost-share that.”
From 2019 through 2021, the City of Regina incurred a $4.1 million operating deficit. To offset it, the city will put $4.065 million towards the deficit, by investing $3 million into non-vehicular trails to improve city-centre connectivity and an additional $1.065 million into future transit projects.
“We’re incredibly grateful,” said Mayor Masters. “When we’re putting pins in [projects] because there’s nothing in the budget, we can pull [this funding] out and be ready.”
