Civically Speaking CFCR 90.5

01/20/2026

Here is the January 13th Episode.

01/20/2026

Will be placing some of the recent shows in this link and upcoming links. Thanks always for tuning in. Much appreciation.

Dear Listeners,Happy New Year!  May 2026 bring you and this show and others that air on community radio and are spread through podcast platforms beyond do their very best to stay informed and have us exercising our civic muscles always.In the...

12/14/2025

12/10/2025

Dear Listeners,

This week on Civically Speaking, we begin with a check-in on the weather...because ....winter has truly arrived.

We talk about just how cold it’s getting across Saskatchewan, what that means for daily life, travel, safety, and especially for our most vulnerable neighbours.

From there, we return to one of our most important and recurring conversations: homelessness in our community. With extreme cold setting in, the risks are higher, the pressure on shelters is greater, and the need for coordinated, compassionate responses is more urgent than ever. We reflect on what we’re seeing, what we’re not seeing, and the ongoing frustrations with unfocused systems, fragmented services, and reactive approaches instead of long-term solutions.

And as always, we close by sharing what we’re hearing on coffee row...the informal conversations, quiet frustrations, hopeful ideas, and everyday observations that often tell us more than official press releases ever could.

Cold weather. Complex social issues. Real conversations.

Civically Speaking,

Lenore and Christina

Deae Listeners,This week on Civically Speaking, we begin with a check-in on the weather...because ....winter has truly arrived. We talk about just how cold it’s getting across Saskatchewan, what that means for daily life, travel, safety, and ...

12/03/2025

Hello Dear Listeners,

Thanks for tuning in - and supporting community radio shows and podcasts like this - we air to Saskatoon's community radio station cfcr.ca and give an opportunity to hear it via a podcast version.

This kind of talk is best paired with a cup of coffee, a deep breath, and maybe a stiff drink after — because city budgets affect all of us, whether we like it or not. Consider this your friendly neighbourhood heads-up before the next property tax notice shows up in your mailbox wearing a serious face.

In Part One, we go straight into Saskatoon’s newly approved 2026–2027 City Budget. Lenore breaks down what the headline numbers actually mean for everyday life — including the 6.7% property tax increase, utility rates, and recreation fees. We talk about where the money is going: roads and snow clearing, policing and fire protection, transit safety, housing and homelessness, water treatment, facilities, and city services you touch every day. We also pull back the curtain on the powerful behind-the-scenes process — the “108 budget options” that shaped what stayed, what shifted, and what almost got cut. And we share reactions from City Hall, councillors, community voices, and residents.

In Part Two, we zoom way out. Because Saskatoon isn’t alone. Across Canada — and in cities around the world — municipal budgets are under serious pressure. We talk about why property taxes are doing so much heavy lifting, how housing, climate change, and population growth are landing on city doorsteps, and how volunteers and community groups are quietly holding things together. We also look at what other countries do differently, and ask the big question:
Are cities just the maintenance department — or are they true partners in nation-building?

Enjoy this episode about money, priorities, responsibility, and the future of our cities.

Civically speaking,

Lenore Swystun with Christina Cherneskey (who sends her regrets)

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

https://www.buzzsprout.com/252451/episodes/18289790

Hello Dear Listeners,Thanks for tuning in - and supporting community radio shows and podcasts like this - we air to Saskatoon's community radio station cfcr.ca and give an opportunity to hear it via a podcast version.This kind of talk is best pair...

11/19/2025

This week's show. Sports and politics. Have a listen. Drink coffee. Laugh often.

Dear Listeners,Thanks for tuning in. In this episode, we dig into the things that bring us together — and the places where politics can still tug us apart.🏈 Sports as Civic GlueWe kick things off with the joy of cheering on the Saskatchewan Roughr...

06/25/2025

Here's this week's episode.

Dear Listeners,Thanks for tuning in!Summer's here—and so is a wave of stories making headlines. From global power shifts to the future of transit right here in our city, Christina and I are diving into what matters most to Saskatoon.We’ll connect ...

06/18/2025

This week's show. It's a smattering...

Hello Dear Listeners,This week on Civically Speaking, we start with big local media news: long-time columnist and civic affairs writer Phil Tank has been let go from the Saskatoon StarPhoenix. What does this mean for local journalism and public ac...

06/11/2025

06/03/2025

https://www.buzzsprout.com/252451/episodes/17277433Dear

Dear Listeners,

This week on Civically Speaking, we bring you an important two-part episode exploring the stories, issues, and voices shaping Saskatoon.

Part 1: Wildfires, Community Response & Philanthropy in Action
Lenore Swystun sits down with Rachael Steinke, Chief Executive Officer of the Saskatoon Community Foundation, and Fred Reibin, Shareholder Engagement Lead and Brand Manager, to talk about how this season’s wildfires are impacting communities across Saskatchewan—and how local organizations are responding. Rachael and Fred spotlight the role of the Saskatoon Community Foundation, CUMFI (Central Urban Métis Federation Inc.), and the United Way of Saskatoon and Area in mobilizing urgent support and long-term recovery along with other key organizations including the Canadian Red Cross.

Part 2: What’s Making News in Saskatoon
In the second half, we turn to timely civic issues, including the First Ministers’ Meeting with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau held recently in Saskatoon. We also check in on the homelessness situation, share thoughts on e-scooters, and round things out with a local summertime classic: a candid (and slightly comedic) rant about revving engines and late-night noise.

Tune in to stay informed, feel connected, and join the civic conversation.

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

Dear Listeners,This week on Civically Speaking, we bring you an important two-part episode exploring the stories, issues, and voices shaping Saskatoon.Part 1: Wildfires, Community Response & Philanthropy in Action Lenore Swystun sits down with...