Sask. judge dismisses challenge of Regina’s new ward boundaries

A Court of King’s Bench judge has dismissed a challenge of Regina’s new ward boundaries.

The injunction, filed by advocacy groups Engaged Neighbours United for Fairness (ENUF) and Regina Advocacy Association Inc. (RAAI), sought to revert the wards to its previous drawing.

Justice Richard Elson threw out the case entirely in a decision released Monday afternoon.

“I find no merit in any aspect of this application,” he wrote in his decision.

“We respect the court’s deliberation,” ENUF said in a statement responding to the decision.

“The upshot is the concerns of inner city Regina residents are going to be considerable weakened at city hall.”

Following the 2020 civic election, the City of Regina commissioned the Regina Municipal Wards Commission (RMWC) to review its ward boundaries.

That review found some wards exceeded the maximum population variance of 10 per cent.

To fix the problem, the RMWC wrote new boundaries.

The biggest change splits the Cathedral and North Central Neighbourhoods, both previously in Ward 3, into two separate wards.

Regina City Council heard a presentation from the RMWC regarding the new boundaries at a meeting in April 2023.

At the time, the report was received through the clerk’s office, but councillors voted to deny filing into the meeting.

This meant that the topic was not debated and no delegates spoke on the issue.

“During the meetings, there were no clear answers on what council’s judgement meant,” ENUF believes. “The process of public consultation needs to be strengthened.”

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In court, the city challenged the standing of the organization filing the application as well as the timing between when the RMWC report was released and the filing of the injunction.

“The challenge of the commission’s decision is not supported by the governing standard of review principals that apply,” Justice Elson’s decision went on to say. “I find no basis in fact or law to support the challenge.”

“Given my conclusion the application must be dismissed on its merits, and mindful of the coming municipal elections … it is conceivable standing and delay issues could factor,” he added.

Regina’s next civic election is in November.

“The whole point of moving to a ward system in the first place was to ensure neighbourhood-level concerns would no long be disenfranchises,” ENUF said. “We should never lose sight of that foundation purpose and return it to its central role.”

In a statement to CTV News, the City of Regina said it is "pleased the application for judical review has been dismissed in its entirety."

"Work is ongoing in preparation for the upcoming municipal and school board elections this November and now this preparation can continue uninterrupted."