In Wascana Park debate, language matters

Now that the dust is settling — and the provincial government is listening to the people of Regina, and Saskatchewan, on their wish to keep commercial development out of Wascana Park — we can take a moment to clarify some of the language used during the debate, and explain why correct language, always important, is crucial in public decisionmaking.

To begin: The word “commercialization” has a meaning, and is not ” ... whatever that means,” as we heard several times during the debate. The meaning of the word commercialization is (according to dictionaries) “related to commerce;” “for profit.”

Wascana Park is not surrounded by “commercial” buildings; it is surrounded by “public” buildings: a university, a rehabilitation hospital, a museum (in fact two museums, the Royal Sask. and the Mackenzie), a military training structure, HMCS Queen, and so on.

The buildings are in the service of the public, to benefit the health of the population, physical and social. These structures, though public and tax-supported, may provide services such as a cafeteria, or in the case of the university, housing; and from time to time they may raise funds through a lottery or a dinner in support of the services offered by their mandate, but “not for profit,” to an owner or stockholders.

While it is understandable that we ordinary citizens might be unaware of the difference in these terms (commercial and public), the terms are well-known, nigh necessary, for city planners, developers and architects, and are common usage for heritage and arts activists, and certainly city council members, since a specific designation is required in determining both services and (primarily) taxation decisions.

An example of the difference between commercial and public would be the proposed Brandt Building, planned for the location of the former CNIB site. It was made clear at the public meeting held by Brandt in 2016 that the building would be an office building, with main-floor commercial outlets.

Brandt announced it would provide space for the “not for profit” CNIB on the second floor, with 4,000 sq. ft. allotted from the 70,000-sq.-ft. building.

However, just as a Shoppers Drug Mart with space allotted to Canada Post does not become CANADA POST, a commercial office building will not become a public building when housing a “not for profit” agency. Many “not for profit agencies” lease space within commercial buildings.

Why does this clarification matter?

Firstly, and most obviously, the correct designation is essential to the City of Regina in creating tax structures: domestic (our homes), commercial, public (and others).

Secondly: It is important that we provide clarity on civic and cultural transitions for future generations — because language creates our shared history.

Anne Campbell, Regina Campbell is a writer, and was a longtime member of the heritage committee of the former Wascana Centre Authority.