This most recent set of budget deliberations provides an excellent opportunity to reflect on what truly makes a city worth living in. In Regina, we are fortunate to be surrounded by tireless arts workers and community advocates whose commitment to human connection makes our city more diverse, supportive, and resilient. Arts and community initiatives bring a richness to city life that cannot be replicated without the deep generosity these individuals offer their communities.

Beyond their cultural impact, these organisations deliver an extraordinary return on investment through thousands of hours of volunteerism—time, expertise, and leadership that far exceed the value of public dollars invested. Their work amplifies city resources, strengthens neighbourhoods, and builds social infrastructure that supports well being, safety, and economic vitality. Together, these organisations and their leaders create opportunities for reflection, empathy, and shared experience—the very qualities that make a city not just functional, but truly liveable.