REGINA — Several partners with the City of Regina presented their preliminary budgets for 2026/2027 on Wednesday.
These partners include Economic Development Regina (EDR), Regina Public Library (RPL) and Provincial Capital Commission (PCC).
Economic Development Regina
EDR has requested funding of $2.1 million for 2026 (same as 2025) and $2.172 million in 2027.
In 2026, EDR is forecasting expenses of $2.935 million, of which nearly $2 million is focused on administration, including salaries and benefits ($1.615 million) and occupancy (roughly $220,000).
EDR is also focusing on growth, investment and analytics (budgeted $374,670 in 2026).
These include EDR’s five big moves:
- New business investment incentives
- Talent and citizen attraction
- Entrepreneur growth and support
- Regional economic development
- Sales and marketing
Jen Pilsner, EDR acting CEO, said the organization is also pursuing 15 businesses which could make an announcement in the province over the next year.
However, councillors expressed frustration with EDR’s lack of success, as shown in their report.
“This community wants to see tangibles. What are we doing to actually grow our community, grow our city, and have that economic development this organization promises?” said Ward 7 Coun. Shobna Radons.”
“I still question a few things,” she added.
When it comes to economic development, Ward 6 Coun. Victoria Flores said, “It should be pretty clear-cut to get stats to get specific deliverables that have been achieved.”
“It’s tough for me to defend this investment when we’re looking at a [potential] increased mill rate.”
Ward 4 Coun. Sarah Turnbull raised questions about potentially absorbing EDR into the city for cost savings.
Daren Anderson, City of Regina chief financial officer, said while this could create efficiency, he couldn’t say what funding revenues may be impacted by this decision.
Jim Nicol, acting city manager, said EDR is a small corporation, so the city wouldn’t save “half a million dollars” from absorption like they did with dissolving Community and Social Impact Regina.
Pilsner stated EDR will bring back KPI’s and additional information on performance by December.
Regina Public Library
The RPL is forecasting a mill rate increase of 3.85 per cent for operations in 2026 and 4.33 per cent in 2027.
“After years of low mill rate increases, RPL has had to increase its annual mill rate request to offset the risks created by these low requests and to address mounting inflation and other challenges, such as facilities renewal and other capital,” states the library in the report.
For 2026, RPL said the mill rate increase would help cover their salary budget, increases in staff training, higher costs for new technology and inflationary increases to costs.
Additionally, RPL’s five-year, 5.5 per cent dedicated mill rate for their Central Branch project will be in effect for 2026 and 2027. This means the average homeowner could pay roughly $20 more for both years when you factor in both mill rates.
In the two years, the RPL expects to generate roughly $5.80 million in revenue.
Provincial Capital Commission
The PCC is seeking a similar budget from 2025 for 2026 and 2027 of $2.719 million.
In their report, the PCC has outlined several key areas where money will be used in 2026.
These include:
- Maintenance of event spaces ($400,000)
- Maintenance of landscape features ($137,000)
- Maintenance of park amenities ($355,000)
- Pathways and washrooms renewal plan ($1.2 million)
- Fleet and support infrastructure renewal ($410,000)
- Other initiatives ($95,000)
However, the PCC has noted that expenses over the last few years have been higher than the grants and funding they receive.
In 2024, the PCC received nearly $11 million in grants, but expenses soared past $12 million.
This difference has led the PCC to transfer money from its surplus over the years. In 2026, the PCC is expected to transfer $2.964 million, leaving only roughly $4 million for 2027.
In their 2027 budget, the PCC expects their surplus to hit a negative deficit of $1.391 million, which will require a mill rate increase to help balance costs.
Jenna Schroeder of the PCC indicated it’s been at least 10 years since the organization has requested a mill rate increase.
All reports were passed and will be discussed in December for budget week.
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