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Hello Dear listeners,

By-elections, taxes and Dolly Parton. Toss in a pickup truck and somebody leaving somebody, and we’ve got ourselves a country song. Thinking Dolly would be laughing over this.

This week Christina and I start with the results of three federal by-elections and what they might be telling us about the political mood in Canada. The Liberals swept all three... holding Beaches–East York and North Vancouver–Capilano, and taking Chicoutimi–Le Fjord from the Conservatives. Are by-elections little political weather vanes, warning shots, or simply three local elections that happened on the same night? We have thoughts.

Then, because nothing says Civically Speaking, quite like getting excited about a tax ratio, we come home to Saskatoon...lol. The City proper, as in Administration on behalf of Council, is asking residents and businesses to weigh in on how municipal property taxes should be shared between residential and non-residential properties. The current ratio is 1.71 to 1... meaning that on an equivalent assessment, a non-residential property pays $1.71 in municipal property tax for every $1 paid by residential property. The City’s public survey opens in October.

Yes... we actually talk about tax ratios. And somehow enjoy ourselves.

And then we get to Dolly.

The world lost Dolly Parton on August 25, and it seems only right to spend a little time remembering her. Beyond her unique voice, amazing songwriting, and unmistakable laugh, we reflect on her generosity, business savvy and remarkable ability to be completely and unapologetically herself.

Christina and I share our own Dolly memories and reflect on why some people become more than entertainers.

So there you have it... By-elections, Taxes and Dolly.

Civically Speaking,
Lenore with Christina

Civically Speaking- Saskatoon Saskatchewan's #1 show about civic issues.

Send us Fan Mail

Civically Speaking- Saskatoon Saskatchewan's #1 show about civic issues.

Send us Fan Mail

Dear Listeners,

What does it really mean to be a good neighbour in a changing city?

In this episode, Christina and I move through a series of seemingly different civic issues that ultimately come back to the same question: how do we live well alongside one another?

The conversation begins with a recent bylaw appeal involving a house found to exceed permitted height and width requirements, and the consequences that follow when development does not comply with established rules.

From there, the discussion turns to the closure of Prairie Harm Reduction, calls for provincial leaders to see conditions firsthand, and the need for municipal, provincial and federal governments to work together when addressing homelessness, addictions and community safety.

The conversation then moves into smoking regulations, the Riversdale BID, public space and a discussion around tent communities. These issues raise difficult questions about compassion, responsibility, public health, safety and what happens when competing uses of shared spaces collide.

In the second half, Christina and Lenore broaden the discussion to neighbourhood conversations, and a discussion why branding local concerns as NIMBY, not in my back yard, may not be helping to bring about good neighbourhoods.

When several houses on the same block go up for sale...when infill changes the scale or character of a street...when public spaces become de facto shelter...or when regulations affect one group differently than another...what happens next matters.

At its heart, this episode is about moving beyond either/or thinking.

Not development versus neighbourhoods.
Not housed versus unhoused.
Not enforcement versus compassion.
Not individual rights versus collective responsibility.

It is about becoming good neighbours...and building a city where decisions are judged not only by what we intended, but by what they actually produce.

Have a listen. Support local media.

Civically Speaking,

Lenore and Christina

Civically Speaking- Saskatoon Saskatchewan's #1 show about civic issues.