Commission amends proposal for Indigenous street-naming quotas

Street naming has proven an immensely complicated issue for Regina Planning Commission, which saw sharp debate and procedural wrangling before a vote on Indigenous quotas.

The issue had already come up in September, but remained unresolved. The commission dove back in on Wednesday, as it debated Coun. Bob Hawkins’ amendment to eliminate quotas for streets and parks in new neighbourhoods.

Hawkins wanted to remove what he called a “diktat” requiring 25 per cent of streets and 50 per cent of parks to be given names with an Indigenous connection. His amendment would replace the numbers with the word “significant.”

He said he supports the spirit of the proposal. But he said his time in the U.S., where quotas were used to integrate the school system, had convinced him the idea is flawed.

“I believe profoundly that quota systems have a number of defects,” he said. “I think they can be inherently divisive.”

Hawkins also said the proposal lacked flexibility and could become an administrative nightmare.

But others supported the idea. Commissioner Rob Porter said having a “hard set number” would be extremely useful for all sides. Coun. Mike O’donnell called for ambition in making up for a dearth of Indigenous names, which now grace fewer than one per cent of streets in Regina.

“Bold is necessary,” he said. “Truth and reconciliation is paramount and it’s a focus of the City of Regina.”

The discussion prompted Coun. Barbara Young to propose a middle path. She said the numbers shouldn’t be a quota, but a goal.

Her idea became an amendment to an amendment, and prompted a recess for Hawkins and Young to try to hash out a solution. The 25 and 50 per cent numbers would become a target for the city to work toward, instead of a mandatory quota.

Porter still called it “unenforceable.” But it passed.

The commission then passed the main motion recommending new guidelines covering everything from theme naming to soundalike names. Administration had first proposed it in May.

The September meeting stripped developers of the right to name local streets and parks, assigning the task to a Civic Naming Committee composed of city bureaucrats.

Stu Niebergall of the Regina & Region Home Builders’ Association

I believe profoundly that quota systems have a number of defects.

returned on Wednesday to oppose that move. On hand to represent developers, he warned it would create a “bureaucratic boondoggle.”

Currently, developers are able to select from a list of names already vetted by the Civic Naming Committee. He said the September changes added another layer. They would create a “flawed and convoluted” system that would prompt delays and add to the price of new homes.

Niebergall called for further review of a matter that first came forward in May. But the commission didn’t reverse course. It did, however, push for more clarity on how names get onto the list.

Niebergall will still get to fight another day, since the street-naming guidelines still need to go to a full meeting of council for final approval.