Meet Regina mayoral candidate: Melina Bushenlonga
Melina Bushenlonga hopes to bring a fresh, outsider perspective to city council if her bid for the mayorship is successful on Nov. 13.
Originally from Greece, Bushenlonga has lived in the Queen City for the past six years – recently receiving her Canadian citizenship.
"I’m new in this country but not new in life," she told CTV News.
Her platform heavily focuses on community safety, with planned improvements to city infrastructure – including a proposed metro train project – as well as continued efforts to increase financial accountability and transparency.
"When it comes to the crime, we're very soft," she said. "I will hire more police officers if we need more police officers who are special in accordance. You know that maybe we don't have them."
Bushenlonga said she intends to clean up what she calls “the mess” left behind by previous mayors and councils. As for how, she touts her ability to hear all sides of an issue.
“I'm from the land of Macedonia, which is Alexander the Great, and he was the first person to unite everyone, alright? He wasn't just a conqueror,” she explained.
“I'm a united person and I listen to everyone’s opinion.”
She believes some practices common in Europe could be adapted and implemented in the Queen City.
"We need to sit down and think very realistically about the idea of legalizing prostitution," she said.
"Our city is number one in HIV is because they don't know nothing about sex. It's so taboo."
Bushenlonga’s approach would include allowing prostitution in an area between Pilot Butte and Regina. By allowing the services – she points to the ability to tax and regulate the profession.
"It [has] worked all over the country and other countries, in my country as well, in Greece," she argued.
"It's the most ancient profession that is perfectly fine."
As part of her platform, Bushenlonga vows to make it easier to establish small businesses in the city and stand up for the consumer.
“I will create more easy access for somebody [who] wants to open their own businesses, and it's time for them to move from the garages or from the basements, to come out and open their own little store,” she explained.
Regina’s municipal election will be held on Nov. 13. A full list of candidates as well as profiles and ward descriptions can be found here.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Police release bodycam video of officer-involved incident at Hindu temple protest in Brampton, Ont.
Police say an officer who forcefully removed a 'weapon' from a protester outside of a Hindu temple in Brampton was acting 'within the lawful execution of his duties' after bystander video of the incident circulated widely online.
RCMP begins deploying body-worn cameras to frontline officers across Canada
Within days, thousands of frontline RCMP officers will be starting their shifts equipped with a body-worn camera, as the national police force begins deploying the program across Canada.
'Countless lives were at risk:' 8 charged, including teen wanted in deadly home invasion, after West Queen West gun battle
A teenage boy arrested along with more than 20 others following a gun battle in Toronto’s West Queen West neighbourhood was wanted in connection with a deadly home invasion in Etobicoke back in April, Toronto police say.
Scotiabank users facing 'intermittent' access to banking
Scotiabank users say they are having issues using their bank’s services following a scheduled maintenance period that ended days ago.
Everything is under US$20 at Amazon's newest store
Amazon is targeting retail rivals Shein, Temu and TikTok Shop with a new deeply discounted storefront that sells a wide array of products for US$20 or less.
W5 Investigates Car security investigation: How W5 'stole' a car using a device we ordered online
In part two of a three-part series into how thieves are able to drive off with modern vehicles so easily, CTV W5 correspondent Jon Woodward uses a device flagged by police to easily clone a car key.
Many long COVID patients adjust to slim recovery odds as world moves on
There are certain phrases that Wachuka Gichohi finds difficult to hear after enduring four years of living with long COVID, marked by debilitating fatigue, pain, panic attacks and other symptoms so severe she feared she would die overnight.
Marble bust bought for US$6 and used as doorstop could sell for more than US$3 million
A sculpture bought for just £5 (US$6) and used as a doorstop could sell for more than £2.5 million (US$3.2 million) after a Scottish court gave the green light for its sale.
Edinburgh Zoo blames fireworks for death of baby red panda
Zookeepers in Scotland have blamed pyrotechnics from annual Bonfire Night celebrations for the death of a baby red panda named Roxie.