iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Vanessa Mathews @vanessamathews.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

Regina #yqr #yqrcc Join undergraduate students from GES 346 Urban Planning to hear their project ideas for how to build a more attractive Regina. April 2, 10-11am in the Ad Hum Pit. All are welcome! This is a come & go event.

021

Reposted by Vanessa Mathews

PD City Hall (Paul Dechene) @pdcityhall.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

Vote on Flores' amendment to introduce a tax subclass to deal w/ nuisance & derelict properties: Carried 6 to 5. Wait? What? Carried????!! Mayor, Froh, Turnbull, Radons, Flores & Zachidniak vote in favour. #yqrcc

491

Reposted by Vanessa Mathews

PD City Hall (Paul Dechene) @pdcityhall.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

Third reading of the 10% transit fare increase. There is no discussion at this point. Just a vote. It passes 6 to 5. Froh, Turnbull, Flores, Radons & Zachidniak vote against. You transit fares will now go up. #yqrcc

122

Vanessa Mathews @vanessamathews.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

Edmonton's property subclass on neglected properties includes a tax rate 3x more than regular residential rate for boarded up/abandoned/unsafe properties. Edmonton's property subclass led to hundreds of thousands of $ & they are now exploring including commercial (so non-residential!) 6/6+1 #yqrcc

010

Vanessa Mathews @vanessamathews.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

Status quo on this really doesn't account for the struggles associated with having a derelict/nuisance property as your neighbour or in your community. It doesn't account for the health & safety issues/costs, the illegal activity associated with these spaces, & the economic/social loss. #yqrcc 6/6

111

Vanessa Mathews @vanessamathews.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

It highlights the significant costs of these spaces. It also highlights a commitment to intensification and the need to better utilize/transition core lands for housing, services, and commercial functions. #yqr #yqrcc 5/

121

Vanessa Mathews @vanessamathews.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

These sites are not paying enough to cover the costs to their community or the city. Developing a property subclass to deal with these properties, and including an increased property tax level, recognizes a loss of vibrancy and safety in core communities. #yqrcc #yqr 4/

120

Vanessa Mathews @vanessamathews.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

The property subclass is necessary to ensure that nuisance and abandoned properties and buildings are dealt with in ways that recognize their costs to safety, health, economic stability, and social well being. #yqr #yqrcc 3/

122

Vanessa Mathews @vanessamathews.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

A new subclass, while an increase in admin resources, will allow the city to create an increased tax level for these properties. #yqrcc #yqr 2/

120

Vanessa Mathews @vanessamathews.bsky.social · 25/03/2026

Today, Regina City Council will debate whether to continue status quo with derelict and nuisance properties or whether to introduce a new property subclass. #yqrcc #yqr 1/

151

Vanessa Mathews @vanessamathews.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

Our transportation options sure feel limited these days (I’m privileged to have a private vehicle which many don’t). Really hoping the transit hike doesn’t pass & we can start looking ahead to ensuring accessibility in winter months. #yqr #yqrcc

000

Vanessa Mathews @vanessamathews.bsky.social · 10/03/2026

Pulled out this t-shirt for a seminar on cycling equity today. I’m missing biking (I generally don’t bike in winter) & I’m finding walking tough these days with all the ice. Tomorrow, Regina City Council will debate a 10% increase to public transit. #yqrcc #yqr

190

Vanessa Mathews @vanessamathews.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

There are a number of councillors who have made it clear publicly that they will vote against this proposed increase. For the others, you are 100% correct - it's about building choice in our transportation system. An effective, affordable system is a win for everyone.

000

Vanessa Mathews @vanessamathews.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

The 2nd agenda item is the proposed 10% public transit fare increase. This increase will disproportionately effect those who currently struggle the most with affordability and doesn't align with our commitments to building an equitable and sustainable city. It also stands to lose riders #yqrcc

120

Vanessa Mathews @vanessamathews.bsky.social · 25/02/2026

I'll be speaking today at #yqrcc on two important agenda items. First is the Growth Plan Review as part of the OCP. While I welcome a strategic sequencing of new neighbourhoods tied to infrastructure provision, I feel the update falls short on intensification. Here's my delegation:

151

Reposted by Vanessa Mathews

Paul Dechene @pauldechene.bsky.social · 25/11/2025

Also, charging more for surface parking lots and derelict housing GENERATES MORE REVENUE that you can put toward covering the cost of whatever extra staff you need to enforce this. And maybe have some mad money left over for municipal improvements. #yqrcc /5

142

Reposted by Vanessa Mathews

Paul Dechene @pauldechene.bsky.social · 25/11/2025

The beauty of implementing a tax class where you can make derelict properties and surface parking lots more expensive to hold onto is it shifts the incentive structure we currently have & makes property owners WANT to develop they're land. Less wheedling necessary. /4 #yqrcc

132

Reposted by Vanessa Mathews

Paul Dechene @pauldechene.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

Further to this thread, I now have an more complete list of organizations receiving Community Investment Grant Program Funding. It's 146 names long & it doesn't even include community associations. I'm going to post the list I have so far to bsky right now. Hold on to your hats. It's enormous… /1

3167

Vanessa Mathews @vanessamathews.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

This list produced fear across #yqr. Each line contributes to sense of place & quality of life. These are the things that affect whether people want to stay in this city or not and whether people feel like they belong. #yqrcc 4/4

120

Vanessa Mathews @vanessamathews.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

It would make living in #yqr 100% worse. Requests to find cuts without understanding the complexity of budgets, programming, grants, recreation needs, and/or delivery of services looks like this. This is a list of things that contribute directly to well being in our city. #yqrcc 3/

130

Vanessa Mathews @vanessamathews.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

It would mean the loss of grants (including overnight warming centre), children's summer programming, commitments to reconciliation, winter city initiatives. It would mean a loss of safety standards (from roads to firefighting), elimination of programs, reduced staffing/inspections/repairs. #yqrcc 2

100

Vanessa Mathews @vanessamathews.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

The cuts in Appendix M13 are haunting. If this budget cut were to go ahead it would mean the loss of the downtown clean up team, heritage incentives/grants, the Cathedral Neighbourhood Centre, the Floral Conservatory, Neil Balkwill Arts Centre, the Massey Pool, outdoor rink programs. #yqrcc #yqr 1/

111

Reposted by Vanessa Mathews

Paul Dechene @pauldechene.bsky.social · 24/11/2025

The video of Rashovich asking admin to game out a 5% budget reduction is pretty long so I've added chapter titles to help with the jumping around. youtu.be/BXC7FNft0G4?... #yqrcc

youtu.be

Sep 16 2025 - Clr Rashovich Imagines A Diminished City

YouTube video by PD City Hall — Paul Dechene

221

Vanessa Mathews @vanessamathews.bsky.social · 10/10/2025

Calling all designers, planners and creative types! Today is the last day to register for the Finding Middle Ground Regina housing competition. You’ll have until November to finalize design. Open to all Canadians. #housing #HAF #designcompetition #infill www.regina.ca/home-propert...

020

Reposted by Vanessa Mathews

PD City Hall (Paul Dechene) @pdcityhall.bsky.social · 09/10/2025

Vote for consent to move to third reading… (needs to be unanimous; if it fails, 3rd reading goes to next council meeting): Fails. Clrs Flores & Zachidniak vote against. So this delays passage of Safe Public Spaces bylaw to next council meeting. #yqrcc

021

Vanessa Mathews @vanessamathews.bsky.social · 25/09/2025

Tabling motion failed. Councillors were not given much time to think through the implications of this provincially drafted act. I'm worried about its adoption on our most vulnerable (as delegations eloquently noted). The unhoused in #yqr must negotiate yet another round of cruel regulations. #yqrcc

162

Reposted by Vanessa Mathews

Paul Dechene @pauldechene.bsky.social · 24/09/2025

Read the thread for context but I just need to stress that we discovered yesterday that, almost by accident, the City Of Regina is BUILDING A BASEBALL STADIUM ON THE YARDS. The project is in the budget. It's happening. You thought this was coming to council for approval? SURPRISE! #yqrcc

3109

Vanessa Mathews @vanessamathews.bsky.social · 24/09/2025

Yay - another P3 & minimized debate! What could possibly go wrong?!

010

Reposted by Vanessa Mathews

Gordon Padelford @gordonofseattle.bsky.social · 23/09/2025

This data is public if you want to take a look yourself pikeplacemarket.community.highbond.com/document/025...

pikeplacemarket.community.highbond.com

081

Reposted by Vanessa Mathews

Gordon Padelford @gordonofseattle.bsky.social · 23/09/2025

Great news: Sales at Pike Place Market were up 7.5% in August too! That's three months of solid data showing the pedestrianization pilot is good for business. Add your ideas for how to keep the momentum going into the fall: actionnetwork.org/letters/pike...

people sitting and walking on the street

416032

Reposted by Vanessa Mathews

Paul Dechene @pauldechene.bsky.social · 23/09/2025

I like doing positive, constructive stories about cool city stuff but I can see the podcast stats & our numbers go way up when council's embroiled in a controversy or we're cranking about something dumb. Well… anyway… this week's housing discussion w/ Bill Neher is one of those positive eps…

youtu.be

QCIB Sep 18 2025 - Train House, New Physics & Everywhere Football

YouTube video by PD City Hall — Paul Dechene

234

Vanessa Mathews @vanessamathews.bsky.social · 23/09/2025

I'm really looking forward to listening to this!

010

Vanessa Mathews @vanessamathews.bsky.social · 23/09/2025

The arbitrary power afforded by this act will likely result in increased surveillance/harassment against non-white bodies in #yqr. This (unequal law enforcement) is what happened during COVID lockdowns across Cda when police were given similar types of power to "protect" public space. #yqrcc

011

Reposted by Vanessa Mathews

Breen Ouellette (he/him) @breeno.bsky.social · 23/09/2025

Among those harmed, Indigenous people will face the greatest criminalization. If anything has held true, it's that police will give a pass to non-Indigenous users of drugs. Especially white and white passing.

2208

Vanessa Mathews @vanessamathews.bsky.social · 23/09/2025

The time to sign up to be a delegate has passed but I will be sending this to my city councillor and the mayor. I urge others to do the same if they want to voice their concerns. There are strong delegations that you can read in Wednesdays package 8/8 #yqr #yqrcc

010

Vanessa Mathews @vanessamathews.bsky.social · 23/09/2025

The addition of hypodermic needles targets the most vulnerable members of our public. Who will police the police? The City of Regina should not support the further criminalization of unhoused people. 7/ #yqr #yqrcc

130

Vanessa Mathews @vanessamathews.bsky.social · 23/09/2025

The list of dangerous weapons distracts from the arbitrary power afforded to police in this act. Police will be given the power to determine what constitutes a weapon and whether a fine and/or jail time is appropriate. 6/ #yqr #yqrcc

120

Vanessa Mathews @vanessamathews.bsky.social · 23/09/2025

A better use would be adopting a housing first policy to ensure unhoused individuals are provided with a safe place to stay with related supports and services. This would be a direct measure to provide “safety” to members of the public that are unhoused. 5/ #yqr #yqrcc

141

Vanessa Mathews @vanessamathews.bsky.social · 23/09/2025

Moreover, a person found in possession of a non-medical needle could be fined and/or face jail time. Who are we defining as the “public” in public safety? Greater police surveillance of our unhoused population is a poor use of municipal funds. 4/ #yqr #yqrcc

150

Vanessa Mathews @vanessamathews.bsky.social · 23/09/2025

This will exacerbate the already high levels of HIV and Hep C in Saskatchewan. The inclusion of hypodermic needles as a weapon will also likely dissuade people from calling for help in the case of an overdose. 3/ #yqr #yqrcc

170

Vanessa Mathews @vanessamathews.bsky.social · 23/09/2025

There are legitimate concerns around the inclusion of non medical hypodermic needles as part of a list of weapons. This is the opposite of a harm reduction strategy. If a person has their needle seized, they are likely to share a needle or try to find one that was left behind. 2/ #yqr #yqrcc

150

Vanessa Mathews @vanessamathews.bsky.social · 23/09/2025

A 🧵 on Saskatchewan’s Safe Public Spaces Act (Safety of Public Urban Spaces CR25-113) vote to take place at Regina's City Council meeting on Wednesday. I urge councillors to vote against this act. This act further criminalizes poverty & homelessness through the arbitrary power given to police 1/

1159

Vanessa Mathews @vanessamathews.bsky.social · 20/08/2025

While cities around the world are striving for green city status, Regina, SK is paving the way for grey city status. #yqrcc #yqr #parkinglots

021

Vanessa Mathews @vanessamathews.bsky.social · 20/08/2025

They handled the questions beautifully. A leader already.

010

Vanessa Mathews @vanessamathews.bsky.social · 20/08/2025

About thirty minutes in, you can listen to Kiké Dueck, who speaks eloquently and passionately about the need for the current city council to take action re: the Energy & Sustainability Framework. #yqrcc #yqr

121

Vanessa Mathews @vanessamathews.bsky.social · 02/06/2025

The Urban Planning GES 346 Report is now available! Wondering what a youth-friendly Downtown #yqr might look like? Have a read through four excellent undergraduate papers that engage with best practices from other municipalities & offer solutions tailored to Regina. www.uregina.ca/arts/geograp...

011