The Regina Downtown Business Improvement District said what?

By Greg Hluska

Michael Huber, the Executive Director of the Regina Downtown Business Improvement District, was recently interviewed by the Regina Leader-Post. When asked for his comments about Dr. Garson Hunter’s wonderful report on panhandling in Regina, Huber mentioned that downtown improvements which incorporate a residential plan could help with the ‘problem’ of panhandling. The Leader-Post wrote, “If we had a strong urban residential environment in the city of Regina, then you have lots of people around,” Huber said. “When you’re in downtown Vancouver and you’re confronted by a panhandler, it’s not as intimidating because there are people around.”

That statement begs a response.  First off, I know many of the panhandlers in downtown Regina – these people are my friends and my colleagues.  These people are not demons and they are no more intimidating than you or I.  In fact, they are some of the friendliest, most gentle, most interesting people I have ever met.  Second, we already have a strong urban residential environment in downtown Regina.  Huber’s words seem to imply that downtown Regina is a ghost town that is unfit for human habitation.

Perhaps in the future, Huber could choose his words a little more carefully.  Perhaps he could go out and meet some people who live in downtown Regina and ask them how strong our residential environment is.  Or, better yet, maybe he could actually take the time to get to know some of the panhandlers he finds so intimidating.