Ward Three Councillor Shawn Fraser tabled a motion in Regina’s monthly city council meeting that aimed to have a discussion about the city becoming a “living wage employer” for the 2017 budget cycle.
His motion requested that city administration draft a report for the winter talks outlining the impact of paying all city employees and subcontractors at least $16.46 per hour. According to Living Wage Canada, this is the living wage for Regina.
However, other councillors had concerns about the timeline.
“Maybe I’m impatient. I just wish we would have passed it to deal with it next year,” Fraser said after the meeting.
The report won’t come next year, but council voted in favour of referring it to the 2018 budget cycle. This will give administration more time to determine how many employees would get raises, and how it would impact putting contracts to tender.
“It could mean higher taxes for residents.”
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Fraser came up with the motion after attending a poverty reduction conference hosted by Edmonton’s Mayor Don Iveson. Fraser also did a walk-along with a parking enforcement officer, and he says they don’t make the living wage.
“They don’t have a pension, so obviously it’s sort of a transitional job for people. There’s lots of good people that do it, but leave for something else,” he explained.
Fraser believes a living wage would help employee retention rates in this position.
Cultural Plan
Following months of consultations with a wide variety of groups, city council adopted Regina’s first cultural plan.
“It’s a plan for 10 years that’s adaptable, depending on the circumstances. So we’re very pleased to see that,” Fougere said.
The plan has three main goals; embrace cultural diversity, strengthen the artistic and cultural community and celebrate Regina’s cultural heritage.
Groups that helped draft the plan include many different cultural and artistic agencies and the Regina school divisions.
The plan will be funded by the city and partner agencies. The city’s share over the decade-long term is expected to be just over $700,000.
Municipal Heritage Status
The past few months in Regina city council have been filled with debate over heritage status for buildings, but on Monday night there was little debate on the matter.
The Weston Bakery Building at 1377 Hamilton Street, the Old Number One Fire Hall at 1654 11th Avenue, Frontenac Apartments on 2022 Lorne Street, and the Somerset Block on 1806 Smith Street all received municipal heritage status in unanimous votes.
“It’s an important statement because there are many people that value heritage, including the City of Regina,” Fougere said.
“We have many beautiful buildings in the city. We have many people that step up and want to preserve them, and council obviously agrees with that.”
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