Former mayorality candidate Jim Holmes asked candidates if they planned to reverse the trend of reducing business taxes and expecting home owners to pick up the slack. Candidate Shirley Dixon answered that she would like big box retailers to pay a larger share. “Why should they get the break, when we don’t?” she asked.

 Her thoughts were echoed by John Conway. “The business community is not paying its fair share and we need to reverse that,” he said. Conway added that the city’s “tax tools are dulled, but they still exist.” He argued that citizens support taxation when it is linked to good things the city is doing. As for the current council, Conway charged, “They take pride in doing nothing, and saying they have to hold the line on taxes.”        

 Don Young said tax increases are seldom desired but seldom inevitable. “It’s like trying to hold back urination. Sooner or later it’s going to come.”

 Clipsham denied Regina’s business tax had been eliminated, saying it was merely rolled into the property tax regime. He described the current tax revenue split of 64 per cent residential and 34 per cent business as “not bad,” saying it was something council should “hold the line on.”

Candidate calls B.S.

In answer, Conway noted that Mayor Pat Fiacco has stated on many occasions that Regina has to wait on the federal and provincial governments to move on climate change responses.

“I think that’s bullshit. There’s so much we could be doing in our community. We’re not even looking at big ideas,” he said. Taking city buildings off the grid, geothermal utilities and incentives for retrofitting homes are among the ‘big ideas’ council could tackle, he suggested, saying this is something individual home owners are doing.

Dixon responded that the city is missing out on the basics, like recycling rain water and changing city-owned buildings over to solar power. She noted that European cities have made great environmental strides, including introducing free public transit, while Regina remains “in a little bubble, never looking around.”

Clipsham pointed to the city’s work to review its transit and waste management systems, and referred voters to the city website for background. Regina’s new vision statement contains support for sustainability and inclusivity, he said.

Don Young demurred from offering solutions, saying he would seek input from voters on what they would do to improve life in the city.

On a question about affordable housing and condo conversion, all candidates spoke in favour of stronger enforcement of existing policy and bylaws. “Safe housing is a human rights issue. We all deserve a good place to live,” said Dixon.

Domed stadium loses debate - but only for now?

If there were winners and losers in the debate, the biggest loser of the night was the proposed domed stadium, which found little support among audience members and candidates alike. Without saying if he was for or against it himself, Clipsham said the stadium was “Brad Wall’s idea,” and was unlikely to go ahead in tight budgetary times.

Young disagreed, saying the dome reflects “an agenda of city council’s own making.”

Dixon said she enjoyed outdoor football games and couldn’t understand where the push for an enclosed stadium was coming from. “Do we need a domed stadium, or do we want one? And who wants a domed stadium? I don’t want a domed stadium. If you are asking me if I would support a domed stadium, I would say absolutely not.”

Conway disagreed with Clipham’s take on the stadium’s future prospects, saying the project is likely not off the table. “I think the idea is still there. The Chamber of Commerce is in favour, and the business lobby is behind it,” he said, adding he was worried that the decision has been put off until after the election. “I think we have to take this seriously. We have to beware,” he warned.

Citizen put off by stagnation

The final question of the night went to Kate Smart, who expressed disappointment with the current city council, saying Regina has been “absolutely stagnant” on issues like housing, libraries and access to recreational facilities. She said that council voted against accepting a 26,000 signature library petition, and agreed to the cutting of inner city community association funds. She asked candidates to state clearly where they stand on these issues.

Saying some of her charges were untrue, Clipsham said he signed the library petition and supported additional funds for community associations while in office.

Conway said the time has come to revive government as a tool for building “a civil society that people can have access to and enjoy.”

“Let’s face it, this city council is a business city council,” he said.

Dixon pledged to keep rinks, pools and libraries open. “Our kids deserve it,” she said.

Young fondly recalled the outdoor rinks of his childhood, but said many rinks have lived out their lifespan and are in need of replacement, while the new ice sheets at Evraz Place are “state of the art.” He added there needs to be cost efficiency in decision-making, and that some pools may not be cost-effective.

Pretty darn good city could be so much more

In his closing statement, Conway said the current city council has remained silent on important issues such as school closures. “If you’re going to elect people to office, they should be prepared to stand up for you,” he said.

 Young offered himself as the change ticket. “It’s time for a change…I will not waste your time or your money,” he said.

 Clipsham stood on his long service as a city councillor, saying that since 1994 he has consistently pushed forward priority issues such as safe and affordable housing. He said the city was making progress in improving life for all residents, particularly aboriginal people. “This city is by and large a pretty darn good city,” he concluded.

 Dixon concluded by highlighting her main platform issues: transit, housing, recycling and crime prevention. “We could be so much more,” she said.

 The last word went to Cathedral Area Community Association president Matt Johnstone, who urged people to get out and vote. In the after-meeting buzz, with people still debating as they spilled out the doors, it seemed the encouragement was likely unnecessary.

 T.Elliott photos

Top Quotes

“It’s like trying to hold back urination. Sooner or later it’s going to come.”
– Don Young on tax increases, a dangerous metaphor in an over-caffeinated room.

“I have a dream about how we get out of this nightmare.”
– John Conway, on retooling civic democracy.

 “In my view, there’s absolutely no way we’ll have a domed stadium.”
– Fred Clipsham addresses the elephant in the room.

"Who decided to put Walmart in Harbour Landing?"
- Shirley Dixon on urban sprawl