Rising replacement-parts costs show why Regina needs a stronger procurement strategy and a transparent assessment of its exposure to international trade disputes.

The cost of operating Regina Transit has increased by approximately $1 million as tariffs raise the price of replacement parts for the city’s bus fleet.

City administration identified tariffs as a significant contributor to the rising expenses, according to a CTV News report by David Prisciak.

Following Wednesday’s city council meeting, Mayor Chad Bachynski said the city would review its contracts and purchasing practices to determine whether parts could be sourced from local or Canadian suppliers.

Bachynski described the American tariffs as “frankly ridiculous,” arguing that they are harming communities on both sides of the border. He said tariff impacts on municipal operations and infrastructure projects would be raised when Canada’s big-city mayors next meet with federal officials.

The additional $1 million facing Regina Transit is an early example of how an international trade dispute can reach directly into municipal budgets. Although trade policy is negotiated by federal governments, municipalities must still purchase vehicles, machinery, technology and replacement parts in markets affected by tariffs and disrupted supply chains.

Opinion: Regina must prepare, not simply react

The tariffs are beyond Regina City Council’s control, but how the city prepares for and responds to their consequences is not.

As someone who has sought to serve on Regina City Council, I believe residents deserve a clear account of the city’s exposure to tariffs. The administration should identify which departments, contracts and capital projects are most vulnerable, estimate the possible financial impact and present options before additional costs become emergencies.

A $1 million increase cannot be treated as a routine budget adjustment. It represents public money that could otherwise support transit service, infrastructure maintenance or other municipal priorities.

The city should conduct a broader tariff and supply-chain assessment covering transit, road construction, water infrastructure, fleet maintenance, information technology and other major areas of spending. Council and the public should know whether the transit increase is an isolated expense or an early indication of much larger financial pressure.

Strengthen Canadian and local procurement

Regina should look first for qualified Saskatchewan and Canadian suppliers when doing so is practical, competitive and consistent with procurement obligations.

Local procurement can reduce exposure to border disruptions, keep more public money circulating within the Canadian economy and help build stronger domestic supply chains. However, “buy local” must be supported by evidence. Residents should be told whether a local option is available, how its price and quality compare, and what long-term value it provides.

The objective should not be to replace one expensive supplier automatically with another. It should be to obtain the best overall value while reducing unnecessary dependence on vulnerable international supply chains.

That review should include:

• Existing contracts involving American suppliers or tariff-exposed goods;
• Canadian and Saskatchewan alternatives for transit parts and equipment;
• Opportunities for joint purchasing with other municipalities;
• The feasibility of rebuilding or refurbishing parts rather than replacing them;
• Strategic inventories of components that are essential to transit operations; and
• Longer-term fleet decisions that consider maintenance costs and parts availability.

Riders should not carry the entire burden

Public transit is an essential service for students, workers, seniors, newcomers, people with disabilities and residents who do not own vehicles. The city should not respond to tariff-related costs automatically through higher fares or reduced service.

Council should first examine procurement savings, contract adjustments, reserve options and administrative efficiencies. If fare or service changes are eventually proposed, the city should explain clearly why they are necessary, what alternatives were considered and how lower-income riders will be protected.

Transit riders did not create this trade dispute. They should not become its easiest source of revenue.

Transparency will build public confidence

Regina residents understand that international instability can create unexpected costs. What they expect in return is competent planning and honest reporting.

City administration should provide regular public updates on tariff-related expenses, including:

• The original and revised cost of affected purchases;
• The amount directly attributable to tariffs;
• Alternatives considered by the city;
• Savings achieved through different suppliers or contract changes; and
• Any projected effect on taxes, transit fares, service levels or capital projects.

The mayor is right that respectful negotiation between Canada and the United States is necessary. But Regina cannot wait for that dispute to be resolved before protecting its own finances.

The city needs a practical resilience plan—one that supports Canadian suppliers, safeguards essential services and demonstrates respect for every taxpayer dollar.