-
With Discussion of the Coming Mayoral
Election
Abstract: There will be a municipal election on Nov 13, 2024, and riding on the bus will be free on that day. While Regina has experienced many changes, are they the ones we want? How do we evaluate the present situation facing the city? Many mayoral candidates have expressed a need for change, yet the question is what kind of change we really want, and how we should initiate the changes. What kind of mayor do we need? How do we compare the mayoral candidates? In the mayoral candidate debate, when asked what their first 100 days in office would look like, the majority of candidates recognized there would be some time needed to get up to speed, but Bresciani and Masters said they were ready to jump right back in. While Masters has mentioned progress has been made on every key file, and things were going in the right direction, many other candidates express that more or less there is a need for strong focused leadership with solid sustainable planning to solve problems of core services, homelessness, safety, financial accountability and affordability. Bresciani thinks the number one thing that is coming up time over time is affordability. People are strained. They are worried. Many people are struggling just to pay the bills and put food on the table, with someone working at two jobs, while the city is building a grand new pool, which cost up to $270 million, let alone the new library and the electric bus project. With the municipal deficit sitting at $1 billion, alternative solutions need to be explored, and the taxpayers' money need to be spent wisely. Procurement, scheduling and construction process need to be examined and accounted to the public for the purpose of transparency. A coordinated consensus can be achieved with the right leadership style and well-informed decision-making, and projects can be completed efficiently and effectively. Bill Pratt says there is a need to address public safety on an integrated basis, with the root causes examined, and the general public involved. Also, management need to be revised with more accountability, more planning and coordination, more innovative ideas and pilot studies, and a longer perspective. Experience from other regions like China and Japan (with an advanced technology identification and fast response system and the system to be accountable to the general public) can be borrowed. The writer suggests consideration of a person with a long time living in Regina, possession of a local property, management experience of more than 10 years as well as experience serving on NPOs to be an appropriate mayoral candidate. For checks and balances and better policy making and operations, a supervisory board of directors and a consultative committee need to be installed, in addition to a comprehensive performance and objective review of the police and the city staff. While many advocate more people and more affordable housing in downtown Regina, the writer suggests the other way with focus on the commercial side and a vehicle-free inner zone. Many factors can be weighed before we make a choice in the mayoral election, yet the writer thinks love and passion for the city as well as leadership style are the most important. As every candidate has his or her advantages, and as every candidate has his own personal perspective, it would be a good idea to borrow the concepts and sparks of thoughts of the others after one is elected to the position of the mayor. It is a pity that only one candidate can be chosen. However, it would be recommended that the talents as well as the ideas of the other candidates be used one way or another by the new mayor, and collaborative leadership along with a group of proficient consultants will be encouraged. Regina is due for positive change lead by a collaborative leader with a long-term perspective, a clear vision, a resolute to achieve and a captain’s capability and charisma.
Key Words: Financial accountability, public
safety, affordability, accountability, leadership
After the
Start of Winter (which is Nov 7, 2024) in the Lunar Calendar, winter is
formally ushered in. There will be a municipal election on Nov 13, 2024, and
riding on the bus will be free on that day. While Regina has experienced many
changes, are they the ones we want? How do we evaluate the present situation
facing the city including security and safety, infrastructure and council
member coordination? Many mayoral candidates have expressed a need for change,
yet Regina is changing constantly already, from the utility bills, to the mill
rate, to the charge for the bins, and to the incidents in downtown Regina. So
the question is what kind of change we really want.
In
Australia, it is mandatory to vote, and you need to explain your reasons why
you cannot vote. If the reasons cannot be accepted, you have a pay a fine of
$20. If you refuse to pay the $20 fine, you then have to go to the court and
pay $170 plus the litigation cost[1]. Many immigrants from
countries with similar rules believe that Canada needs to promulgate such
regulations, as only 21% voted in the last municipal election[2].
I.
General
Situation
Compared
to the 2020 advance polls of 15,190, there were 14,374 ballots cast in total, and
it seems that more people should come out to vote and express their
willingness. In the mayoral candidate debate, when asked what their first 100
days in office would look like, the majority of candidates recognized there
would be some time needed to get up to speed, but Bresciani and Masters said
they were ready to jump right back in. While Sandra Masters has mentioned
progress has been made on every key file, and things were going in the right
direction, many other candidates express that more or less there is a need for
strong focused leadership with solid sustainable planning to solve problems of
core services, homelessness, safety, financial accountability and
affordability.
II.
Problems
1.
Affordability
Lori Bresciani
thinks the number one thing that is coming up time over time is affordability.
People are strained. They are worried. She said, "many are struggling just
to pay the bills and put food on the table. It's time to refocus Regina.” She
cited the example of someone working at two jobs, while is city is building a
grand new pool. She added that the taxpayers' money need to be spent wisely[3].
2.
Uncontrolled
Debt
First,
there is the issue of funding for infrastructure projects. “I think we need to
be accountable in every dollar that's spent,” Bresciani said, pointing to costs
of the new Indoor Aquatic Centre facility project. “The cost went up 50 percent and no
consultation on the increase of the cost when it came up to the $245 million.”[4] And this figure is still
growing, now to about $270 million. The present Lawson Aquatic Centre is still
being used, and a feasibility study of whether the City needs to build a new
pool or renovate the old one needs to be done. This applies the same to the
Regina Public Library project, which involves more than $100 million, let alone
the electric bus project, all possibly triggering a hike in property tax.
Though
Masters mentioned that in her term she managed to save $43 million by cost
avoidance efficiencies and pipe relining, there is still a deficit of $1
billion to address in her next term if she wins this election[5].
3.
Transparency
Chad
Bachynski, a project manager at Sask Energy (also a mayoral candidate), said,
“we need to look at the processes. We need to improve the processes. We need to
look at policies that govern how administration is able to execute construction
projects. We need to look at our procurement practices as well to make sure
that we're offering flexible time frames.” Bachynski also pointed to reaction
he’s heard from the public about disruptions. “Everybody's quite frustrated
that it seems like every major artery is blocked off. And so, you know, what
that looks like is a procurement policy, a change in the way we do things, a
change in the way we operate, obviously, because it's not happening today. So
we need to change that.” [6]
4.
Division
At a city
council meeting on Sept 13, 2023, Ward 1 Coun. Cheryl Stadnichuk, Ward 3 Coun.
Andrew Stevens, Ward 6 Coun. Dan LeBlanc and Ward 8 Coun. Shanon Zachidniak
called for the city to declare a “houselessness emergency.” Regina saw an increase of 110 per cent in the
Point-in-time Homelessness which saw its total rise from 232 people in 2015, to
488 in 2021. However, in a vote of six to two, city council voted against the
motion. Masters said the motion wouldn’t be helpful for the city. The motion in
front of council also asked for among other things: for the city to call on the
provincial and federal governments to contribute emergency funding to address
the crisis; for city administration to create a plan to provide temporary
barrier-free shelter for all Regina residents in need by the end of the third
quarter of 2023; that the city make a long-term commitment to addressing
homelessness as part of the 2024 budget process; that encampments only be
dismantled for safety reasons if there is a documented pattern of unwillingness
from camp organizers to address multiple safety concerns. The discussion led to
heated responses from people in the chamber which had them removed[7].
Pratt
said, “now let's be clear, some of these challenges stem from a city council
that has been dysfunctional, fragmented, and at times an embarrassment to our
city."[8] Bachynski suggested a
united frontline, and he said, “you need leadership that rallies council to a
consistent, cohesive vision that everybody can rally behind that will enable us
to take action faster that will enable us to actually implement these things
faster”[9]. He added that success is
going to be measured by feedback from the residents in terms of the response
time as well as quality of the project.
5.
Security
and Safety
The writer
has a story (which I heard by chance at the court) to tell about Mr. Su in the
North Central area. The window of his car on Rae St was smashed, and $3,000
together with the wallet were gone. The police said they could do nothing about
it. His house experienced 3 break-ins. The last time he called the police to
get the intruder expelled, yet the guy damaged the external door and broke in
again after a night’s detainment by the police.
As to
public safety, Bresciani said,
"proactive solutions like the alternative response officers, the program
to increase the presence of public safety officers downtown is going to be a
game-changer, and Regina police are going to be working closely with community
associations in all neighbourhoods on how to be more proactive on crime
reduction." Bill Pratt, the former CEO of Eden Care Homes, spoke of an
integrated approach. "We need to examine the spectrum of public safety,
from root causes to addressing issues of addiction and mental health."[10]
As to
fluoride in the water, Masters said it was one of the top 100 public health initiatives
in the last century, and she was proud of that. Bresciani said that we need to
do a better job of being transparent about these types of decisions so people
feel informed and engaged in these decisions. However, she emphasized that the
decision went with the feedback from public health ensuring the water is safe,
and the City actually received an award for the drinking water a few years back[11].
III.
Reasons
1.
Accountability
The
accountability issue is the issue that you need to be responsible to someone one
way or another. If no one is watching, and if no explanation is necessary, it
is hard to see that the work may be done well. A system needs to be in place
before everything gets rolling in its way.
2.
Shot-Term
Perspective
In game
theory, those who think they will deal with each other again will have to think
more ahead and trade benefits for now with those for the future. Therefore,
stakeholders need to have the opportunity to deal with each other many times
before they can have a longer term perspective and longer term planning.
3.
Leadership
Among some
of the leadership styles recommended, the writer prefers democratic leadership
which values the opinions and feelings of everyone. This style can both obtain
feedback rapidly and train some potential leaders or assistants to the leader.
Strategic leadership and collaborative or coaching leadership may also be used.
4.
Planning
and Coordination
1)
D/T
Regina
(1)
Not
the Cards but the Players
It is very
rare that any robbing or stealing may happen in Japan or China. This is both
due to the technology employed to detect any suspects instantly and the unified
system to identify and catch the criminal. Experience can be borrowed, and the
police can work more efficiently and effectively.
(2)
Removal
of the Fuel from the Cauldron
Many
people are saying we need people in downtown Regina. While tax revenue in this
area has a high percentage, the focus of downtown should be commercial, not
residential. Adding people to downtown especially ordinary residents will put
more fuel to the cauldron.
2)
Other
Areas
The other
areas can be developed and improved into a vibrant residential community, and
encouragement or incentives need to be given to the local communities.
IV.
Adoptable
Measures
1.
Accountable
Government
1)
Eligibility
of Mayoral and Councillor Candidates
It is
considered those with stakes will care more about the local issue than those
without. Therefore there may need a criteria set out for the candidates to run
as a mayor or as a councillor, and the factor to be put into consideration can
include: a) number of years living in Regina; b) property ownership in Regina;
c) management experience for at least 5 years; d) serving on NPO boards or committees. The following is a
suggested list:
Candidate Criteria
|
|
#
of Years Living in Regina |
Possession
of a Property |
Management
Experience |
Serving
on NPO Boards or Committees |
|
Mayoral
Candidate |
>10 |
Yes |
>10 |
Yes |
|
Councillor
Candidate |
>5 |
|
>5 |
Yes |
2)
Supervisory
Board of Directors
A
supervisory board of directors is needed in the sense that the City needs
budget review and internal auditing. Regina is one of the cities that lack
auditors to look at the financial feasibility of many different projects. The
author recommends funding for a project can be used only upon approval of 2/3
of the directors. Those directors can be elected by the City through the
general staff meeting, and they are permitted to attend all the meetings and
discussions including the council meetings and the staff meetings and raise questions.
3)
Consultative
Committee
A consultative committee is needed to recommend proposals, review bills and oversee different departments and offices. The consultants are recommended by the mayor with approval of the council, and they are to deal with every urgent problem when it arises. They can also be present and raise questions at the Supervisory Board of Directors though they cannot vote for a resolution at that board.
2.
Police
Evaluation and Installation of Alterative Response Officers
Reflecting
on Su’s story mentioned earlier, there need an accountability system for the
police, with their duties clarified as well as any incentive or penalty
defined. Alterative Response Officers can be increased due to its lower budget
and flexible schedule.
3.
Increase
of the Role of Committees and Independent Consultants while Opening to Options
While the decision process needs to be transparent, the role of independent committees and consultants need to be enlarged. The writer is an independent PMP, yet he cannot find online anything about the bids for the library project. Bids should be invited to the general public and evaluated based on soundness of the analysis, feasibility of the adoptable measures and provision of alternatives, without revealing the names of the bidders. Also, it never hurts to listen to an independent third party, and that is what one candidate advocates as she called for development of a coordinated master plan to minimize disruptions, reduce the costs and maximize resources efficiency including utilizing best practices and alternative ways to deliver projects like naming rights and joint ventures. The writer also suggests exclusive right auctions and leases with some reservations.
Please note that the consultants need to be professional while upholding a certain moral standard. You cannot stand in one camp one day and go to another on another day. Also, as Canada is an immigrant country, it is advised to be integrated into the Canadian society and not withholding to your own circle. Canada needs professionals who are those with integrity, principle, frankness, love and compassion no matter where they came from.
4.
Thinking
Outside of the Box
Many
candidates talked about more affordable housing and more people in downtown
Regina. The mayoral candidate Chad Bachynski talked about the need for more
affordable housing in the city's interior. "It's a math problem to me. It
provides more people using less lengths of roads, less lengths of pipe and
shorter transit commutes," said Bachynski."So overall, there's an
overall benefit and it actually reduces the tax burden on those folks living in
the suburban areas." Many other candidates (including Masters, Bresciani
and Pratt) talked about getting more people in downtown Regina.
However,
as a trained PMP, the writer thinks fundamental or root causes have to be found
out to solve the problem. Also, sometimes we have to step outside of the box to
see clearly what’s in the box. In order to solve the parking issue, the air
pollution issue, the public safety issue and the tenant-landlord relations
issue, the writer has the following suggestions to consider: a) establish a
city-round tour bus going to and from downtown Regina so that employees and
business owners (with a discount to them for a monthly pass) can use it as
their means of transportation, and funding can be obtained through
advertisements on the bus, with the downtown core area designated as a
vehicle-free zone; b) reduce the size of population in downtown Regina and us this
part as a day-time zone; c) buy in properties from the owners and develop them
into tourist areas, movie theatres, playgrounds and farmer markets; make three
circles in the downtown area, with the inner circle used for walking, shopping
and entertainment, the middle circle used for cycling and sightseeing, and the
third circle for transportation in and out of the area; d) set up daily patrols
in turns to enhance security and safety using patrol guards recruited from the
general public, especially the young unemployed people at a pay calculated
according to the hours and experience and performance.
5.
Open
Day of the Mayor per Month as well as a Mayor’s Mailbox
Although
the mayor will be busy with many things, he or she is not a City Manager. His
or her main task is to think, plan and coordinate. Yet there may be moments
that he is too much buried in his work that he neglects other things.
Therefore, an open day a month is necessary, supplemented by a mailbox to the
Mayor directly. Processing of the mails may need others to help, but the Mayor
should read the letter whenever he or she is free.
V.
Mayoral
Election Result Preview
1.
Candidate
Review
The write has compiled a list of profiles for the 11 candidates. Out of those 11 people, it is believed that one of the four (lined in alphabetical order according to the last name), Chad Bachynski, Lori Bresciani, Sandra Masters, and Bill Pratt, are more likely to win than the others. However, the writer thinks that love and passion for the community and the leadership style are the most important.
As every
candidate has his or her advantages, and as every candidate has his own
personal perspective, it would be a good idea to borrow the positive concepts and sparks
of thoughts of the others when one is elected to the position of the mayor. It
is a pity that only one candidate can be chosen. However, it would be
recommended that the talents as well as the constructive ideas of the other candidates be
used one way or another by the new mayor, and collaborative leadership along
with a group of consultants will be encouraged.
2.
Actions
Speak Louder than Words
Regina has
seen some positive changes as well as challenges. For example, the snow on the
street is cleared faster and cleaner than before. A washroom has been installed
in Victoria Park of downtown Regina. Waste disposal is made more classified
though the cost goes higher yet with choices. It is easier to comment than to
do it yourself. The writer is in agreement with a gradual change with planning
and purpose. When voters evaluate the candidates, they need to bear in mind
what they have done before so that they can take the role of the mayor. With
the present situation, a candidate who is familiar with the municipal decision
process and who can coordinate with the different council members easily in
discord will be a good choice.
VI.
Conclusion
Regina is
due for positive change lead by a collaborative leader with a long-term
perspective, a clear vision, a resolute to achieve and a captain’s capability
and charisma.
(Postscript: As declared by the Returning Officer on 15 Nov 2024, Bachynski, Bresciani, Masters and Pratt each got 31.50%, 24.89%, 23.12% and 12.14% of the total valid votes of 52,402. Please refer to the website for the details, https://www.regina.ca/export/sites/Regina.ca/elections/.galleries/pdfs/2024-Results-All-Races-Appendix-A.pdf.)
里贾纳积极变革之议题
—兼论即将到来的市长选举
摘要：2024
年 11 月
13 日将举行市政选举，当天人们可以免费乘坐公交车。虽然里贾纳经历了许多变化，但这些变化是我们想要的吗？我们如何评估这座城市目前面临的形势？许多市长候选人都表达了变革的需要，但问题是我们真正想要什么样的变革，以及我们应该如何发起变革。我们需要什么样的市长？我们如何比较市长候选人？在市长候选人辩论中，当被问及他们上任后的头 100 天会是什么样子时，大多数候选人都承认需要一些时间来适应，但布雷西亚尼和马斯特斯表示他们已经准备好立即重新投入工作。虽然马斯特斯提到每个关键事项都取得了进展，事情正在朝着正确的方向发展，但许多其他候选人表示，或多或少需要强有力的专注领导和坚实的可持续规划来解决核心服务、无家可归、安全、财务问责和负担能力的问题。布雷西亚尼认为，随着时间的推移，首要问题是负担能力。人们很紧张，很担心。许多人挣扎着支付账单和养家糊口，有人打两份工，而城市正在建造一个宏伟的新游泳馆，耗资高达 2.7 亿加元，更不用说新图书馆和电动巴士项目了。由于市政赤字高达 10 亿加元，需要探索替代解决方案，纳税人的钱需要明智地使用。采购、调度、施工等过程需要审查，以对公众负责并确保透明度。同时，要通过正确的领导方式和明智的决策，达成协调共识，高效完成项目。比尔·普拉特表示，需要从整体上解决公共安全问题，查明根本原因，并让公众参与其中。此外，需要改进管理方式，增加责任制、规划和协调、创新理念和试点研究，并放眼长远。可以借鉴中国和日本等其他地区的经验（拥有先进的技术识别和快速响应系统以及对公众问责制度）。作者建议考虑在里贾纳居住很长时间、拥有当地房产、有 10 年以上管理经验以及在非营利组织有服务经验的人作为合适的市长候选人。为了实现制衡和更好的政策制定和运营，需要设立监事会和咨询委员会，此外还要对警察和市政工作人员进行全面的绩效和客观评估。虽然许多人主张在里贾纳市中心增加人口和提供更多经济适用房，但作者建议采取另一种方式，重点关注商业方面，打造无机动车辆核心区。在市长选举中，我们可以权衡许多因素，但作者认为对城市的热爱和激情以及领导风格是最重要的。由于每个候选人都有自己的优势，每个候选人都有自己的个人观点，因此在当选市长后，借用其他人的概念和思想火花是一个好主意。遗憾的是只能选出一名候选人。然而，建议新市长以某种方式利用其他候选人的才能和想法，并鼓励采用协作领导方式和启用有效顾问团队。里贾纳应该采取积极的变革，由一位具有长远眼光、清晰愿景、实现目标的决心、有领袖能力和魅力的协作型领导者来领导。
关键词：财务责任、公共安全、可负担性、问责制、领导力
[1]
Zhang Hui: Those Countries That Enforced Democracy (in Chinese), Youth
Reference, Page 11, 29 Oct 2014, https://qnck.cyol.com/html/2014-10/29/nw.D110000qnck_20141029_2-11.htm.
[2] Regina
had 21% voter turnout for 2020 municipal election, slightly more than 2016, CBC
News, 12 Nov 2020, https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/regina-voter-turnout-2020-municipal-election-1.5799813.
[3] John
Cairns: Regina mayor’s race candidates tangle in Access TV debate, SaskToday,
31 Oct 2024,
https://www.sasktoday.ca/elections/yourvote2024/regina-mayors-race-candidates-tangle-in-access-tv-debate-9740334.
[4] John
Cairns: Regina mayor’s race candidates tangle in Access TV debate, SaskToday,
31 Oct 2024, https://www.sasktoday.ca/elections/yourvote2024/regina-mayors-race-candidates-tangle-in-access-tv-debate-9740334.
[5] David
Prisciak: Meet Regina mayoral candidate: Sandra Masters, CTV News, 7 Nov 2024, https://regina.ctvnews.ca/meet-regina-mayoral-candidate-sandra-masters-1.7101418;
Larissa Kurz: Masters 'more committed now than four years ago' to Regina, if
re-elected mayor, Regina Leader-Post, 30 Oct 2024, https://leaderpost.com/news/local-news/city-hall/masters-more-committed-now-than-four-years-ago-to-regina-if-re-elected-mayor.
[6]
Please also refer to the above article.
[7] Andrew
Benson: Motion to declare homelessness an emergency shot down at Regina city
council meeting, Global News, 14 Sept 2023, https://globalnews.ca/news/9958649/big-discussion-homelessness-regina-city-council/.
[8] John
Cairns: Regina mayor’s race candidates tangle in Access TV debate, SaskToday,
31 Oct 2024, https://www.sasktoday.ca/elections/yourvote2024/regina-mayors-race-candidates-tangle-in-access-tv-debate-9740334.
[9] David
Prisciak: Meet Regina mayoral candidate: Chad Bachynski, CTV News, 5 Nov 2024, https://regina.ctvnews.ca/meet-regina-mayoral-candidate-chad-bachynski-1.7098566.
[10] Alexander
Quon: Public safety, affordable housing focus of Regina mayoral debate, 30 Oct
2024, https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/regina-civic-election-1.7368229.
[11] John
Cairns: Regina mayor’s race candidates tangle in Access TV debate, SaskToday,
31 Oct 2024, https://www.sasktoday.ca/elections/yourvote2024/regina-mayors-race-candidates-tangle-in-access-tv-debate-9740334.
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