There are 11 mayoral candidates in the 2024 Regina civic elections. 980 CJME sent out a Q&A to each candidate. The election is on Nov. 13, 2024.

Lori Bresciani

Hometown: Glenavon

What superpower would you want?

Magic — because it opens up the door to possibilities and creativity and problem-solving and also to help others in need and could create some cash for the city when needed.

Why do you want to be Mayor of Regina?

I have lived here for 45 years and have been on the council for the past eight years. I have seen how the last four years have taken us backwards and has been embarrassing at times. So, I felt it was either time to step away or move forward to get us back on track to refocus. I have seen two different leadership styles from the past Mayors, and I know I can be the leader that Regina needs, to build a team with the council and work with the administration. With my experience as a councillor, I understand how the city works and I look forward to making a difference in our city and ensuring Regina remains a place where people are proud to live and invest here.

How do you plan to address homelessness, given it’s not solely a municipal responsibility?

Tackling homelessness requires a collaborative and data-driven approach to ensure we’re offering effective, sustainable support. Once again, I’ll reconvene the Mayor’s task force on homelessness that will bring together representatives from the city, council, community organizations, police, fire, First Nations, social services and others to ensure we are maximizing our resources to help Regina’s most vulnerable.

This committee will allow us to identify gaps in services and coordinate housing and social support more effectively. Additionally, by leveraging our existing data, we can better understand the needs within our community and make a compelling case to the provincial and federal governments for additional funding. This support is crucial to avoid placing the financial burden solely on local taxpayers while still addressing homelessness and building safe, stable communities for everyone in Regina.

Through this coordinated approach, which needs to be coordinated, we can move towards long-term solutions that provide housing and resources to those who need them most. It’s important to remember that it’s the federal and provincial governments that have the power and funding to address the root causes of homelessness like mental health and addiction issues. I’ll work with community organizations and First Nations so that we can advocate with one voice and ensure senior levels of government are meeting their obligations.

What makes you hopeful?

The people who live here. We have the most amazing people who step up all the time whenever we need them. These people are volunteers at our events and festivals etc. They bring hope to the city because they know we can be better. We need to shine a light on those great people that make our city so wonderful. Also, my passion and gratitude for where we live inspire hope as I believe we live in one of the best cities in the world country. We just have to tell our story!

What do you think should be the city’s priority given Regina’s upcoming major projects, the debt and how do you plan to fund them?

I believe we need to focus on the core services that the citizens of Regina rely on every day. We need to ensure these services are of the highest quality, affordable and sustainable. For projects like the pool, we have priorities and do not try to build everything at once. We need to look at all feasible options and pursue alternative funding sources — like sponsorships and partnerships — so we don’t jeopardize our core services.

What are the top three items you would address in your first 100 days as Mayor?

In my first 100 days, I’ll also focus on meeting with community leaders, business owners, council members, and residents to build collaborative relationships. I’ll focus on establishing a unified and informed council by ensuring everyone is fully trained in governance rules and best practices. We’ll work together to develop a strategic vision and growth plan for Regina, reflecting what we’ve heard from residents at the door. This vision will provide clear direction, prevent single-issue agendas, so that our work is targeted, accountable, and impactful from day one and ensure council and administration can meet to align on city operations and priorities, setting a solid foundation for sustainable growth.

How do you plan to address the challenges of population growth in areas like infrastructure, housing, and public services?

I’ve released a strategic framework to drive Regina’s growth. Under the theme “Refocus Regina — Empowering Change: Our Vision for a Brighter Future,” my vision emphasizes affordability, prioritizing essential services, fostering economic growth, public safety and strengthening community engagement.

Each part of our plan is a direct result of the conversations we’ve had on doorsteps across our city. We’ve taken people’s voices, concerns, and aspirations and used them to develop a roadmap for the future of Regina. This platform isn’t just my vision — it’s everyone’s.

The key pillars of my plan are:

• Financial Responsibility, Affordability, and Accountability;
• Economic Development and Job Creation;
• Infrastructure and Transportation Improvements;
• Affordable Housing and Smart Urban Development;
• Public Safety and Well-being; and
• Community Engagement

By working hand-in-hand with residents, we will ensure that city hall truly reflects the voices and aspirations of our community.

How will you engage residents to increase municipal voter turnout in Regina?

During my two terms on council, my focus has been on meeting and engaging with as many people as possible. I’ve organized town halls and meet and greets and attended as many community events as possible.

I think this engagement is key to helping people recognize the value in participating municipal politics. Leaders have to show people that they are listening and that bringing your concerns forward can get results.

As mayor, I’ll continue these efforts and I will expect all members of the council and the city administration to do likewise.