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Hello Dear Listeners,

Thanks for tuning in. Airing this week, recorded a few days ago, I interview Sara Wheelwright, outgoing Chair of Downtown Saskatoon. 

Sara is a repeat guest and in this episode we weigh in on a few items related to the downtown and branch into a few other civic areas.

Have a listen and be sure to support community radio and local media wherever you live and wherever you find yourself. 

And thank you to those of you who donated to FM-Phasis - Civically Speaking. If you haven't yet, please do  As simple as clicking on Donate | CFCR 90.5FM | Saskatoon Community Radio. Much appreciation. 

Civically speaking, 
Lenore Swystun together with Chistrina Cherneskey

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

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Dear Listeners,

Thanks for tuning in on this the Fall Equinox - gulp!

We talk a little construction, a little arena and a referendum, a little health care and more. 

And, we talk about our annual fundraising campaigning - No Hits, No Misses FM-Phasis campaign. Your support very much appreciated.

Have a listen. Support local media, first and always.

Civically speaking,

Lenore with Christina

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

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Dear Listeners,

It's our annual Community Radio FM-Phasis Fundraising season. And so, go to YOUR GUIDE TO FM-PHASIS 2026!!! | CFCR 90.5FM | Saskatoon Community Radio. And, donate and be sure to place a checkmark next to this show, Civically Speaking, when you are supporting with your donation (along with everyone else but we get bragging rights when you mention our name).

And now, to this week's show.  We chat about the Investment Forum taking place in Toronto this week and then go around some local DEED, downtown event and entertainment district revving of a referendum, to leaping over the fence!

Tune in and be sure, always, but especially now, support community radio.

Civically Speaking, 
Lenore Swystun with Christina Cherneskey

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

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Dear Listeners,

Oh rain, rain, go away … gentle harvest winds and warm sunshine are what we need right about now on the Saskatchewan plains.

This week on Civically Speaking, we begin with tariff talk and what it may mean for Canadians, Saskatchewan folks, and the wider economic picture. We also make a little room for Roughrider chat … because it is September, after all...and they won this past weekend. 

Then we come home to Saskatoon. We talk about bus rapid transit...where the conversation is at, what good transit can mean for a growing city, and why the details matter for neighbourhoods and daily life. We also turn to infill development requirements and the ongoing work of building more housing while respecting the places people already call home.

And a heads-up … CFCR’s FM-Phasis campaign is coming. It is an important time to support the station and the local voices, music, ideas, and conversations that community radio makes possible.

Have a listen. Support community radio wherever you are … and here in Saskatoon, that’s CFCR 90.5 FM.

Civically Speaking,
Lenore Swystun together with Christina Cherneskey

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

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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. 

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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. 

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Dear Listeners,

Sorry about the late upload for this show.  We were talking about mid summer items and did some weighing in on  Public Art, Data Centres, the Saskatoon Downtown Entertainment District and more.

Have a listen and be sure to tune into community radio stations like CFCR and support all local media. Local is global!

Civically Speaking,

Lenore and Christina

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

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Dear Listeners,

Thanks for tuning in. 

In this episode, we welcome back Dr. Tom Wolf and Gordon Androsoff for a timely conversation about the 2026 agricultural season in Saskatchewan and the wider forces shaping it.

Together, we look at the pressures and possibilities facing producers: the Monette Farms receivership, rising input costs, the potential impacts of uncertainty around the Strait of Hormuz, farm diversification, changing farm-operator demographics, and the growing role of off-farm income.

Thanks for supporting community radio here in CFCR land, and making space for shows like this that connect the big issues back to the places and people we call home.

Civically speaking,

Lenore Swystun with regrets from Christina

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

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Hello Dear Listeners,

Christina and I are taking a break this week. Thought it might be interesting to listen to Dr. Kordan's discussion from December 2024.  What remains and what has changed geopolitically?

Have a listen.

Civically Speaking, 

Lenore and Christina

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