Name: Conrad Hewitt

Ward You’re Running In: 1

Current Occupation: Student at the University of Regina

Voter Information: 541-6978, www.VoteConrad.ca, Conrad@voteconrad.ca, @Conrad4Ward1

I’m Conrad Hewitt. I’ve lived, worked, played and volunteered in Ward 1 for most of my life.

I’m a student at the University of Regina studying business. Throughout my life I have been an active volunteer and contributor to my community. I served on the Campbell Student Leadership Council for three years including two consecutive terms as President.

I also served for several years on the Campbell Collegiate Community Council and was elected to multiple terms as a member of the All Saints Anglican Church Vestry. I love my community and my city.

QUESTION AND ANSWER

1. Briefly, why are you running for council?
I have always been very passionate about contributing to Ward 1. I’ve spent most of my life serving my community and my fellow residents, but I want to do more. I hope to bring my years of volunteer experience to council, combined with a forward thinking, fresh perspective that I believe I can provide.

2. What is the single most pressing issue facing Regina? How would you solve it?
Affordable housing is debatably the biggest issue facing Regina today. Unfortunately this is a complicated issue that does not come with an easily solution. I plan to improve the accessibility of affordable housing in Ward 1 by extending property tax incentives for the development of secondary suits to the areas surrounding the University and SIAST. Students are some of the hardest hit by low vacancy rates, and need to be considered when developing housing strategies.

3. Imagine the Regina Of The Future that you want to help build. What will it look like?
An economically and culturally thriving urban centre, a national tourism destination with a well designed and easy to navigate downtown, and an attractive place to live and work with complete neighbourhoods, green spaces, and innovative infrastructure maintenance programs.

4. Beyond immediate concerns like housing, the stadium and infrastructure renewal, what “big idea” project do you want to work on that nobody seems to be talking about?
One of the most common concerns I’ve heard from residents is the lack of communication between the City and its people. I think the City has an amazing tool to address this in their website. The internet provides us with a seemingly unlimited capacity for relaying information, gauging public response, and receiving feedback. I want to ensure the City is as accessible and engaging as possible by using this resource to its full potential.

5. Name something the last council got right.
The Design Regina program was an incredible opportunity for citizens to be involved in planning and designing our city. I want to see more opportunities like this.

6. Now, point out their biggest mistake.
The lack of public consultation done for the RRI prior to the release of the MOU. While I support the initiative, I can only justify spending the amount of money proposed for the stadium if the public have the opportunity to give input and ask questions in an open environment. The current council’s failure to offer this has spurred a lot of hostility towards the project which I believe could have been avoided by engaging the public in the planning.

7. What are you reading these days?
University textbooks and emails from Ward 1 residents.

8. Beyond your residence, do you own any property in Regina or in the immediate area?
Nope

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FUN QUESTIONS!

1. What is your favourite Regina restaurant?
It’s a toss-up between the Mercury Cafe and Henderson’s on the U of R campus (amazing sandwiches).

2. Who is your favourite Regina artist?
I’m a huge Library Voices fan.

3. What actor would play you in the gritty cable drama, Queen City Hall?
Ryan Gosling

4. How would your character die?
Caffeine overdose. However, he would be brought back to life with cyborg technology.

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PICK A SIDE

Cats or Dogs? Dogs.

Vampires or Werewolves? Team Edward. 

Boxing or Roller Derby? Boxing

Steak or Sushi? Steak. Rare.

Hill Towers or Legislative Building? Legislative Building

Quance Street or Dewdney Avenue? Dewdney Ave.

Artesian or Wascana Park Gazebo? At the moment, Artesian. But I’d like to see the gazebo used more often!

Prairie Dog or Richardson Ground Squirrel? Prairie Dog

Giant Grasshopper or Stegosaurus? Grasshopper

Saskaboom or SaskAdvantage? SaskAdvantage

Bike or Sports Car? Batmobile

Le Macaron or Five Guys? Five Guys Burgers and Fries

The Beatles or the Rolling Stones? Beatles.

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BONUS QUESTION: Make up your own question (And answer it, of course!)
What is age?
It’s just a number.

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