Civically Speaking Podcast with Host, Lenore Swystun and Co-Host, Christina Cherneskey

Lenore Swystun, Host, Civically Speaking on Saskatoon's Community Radio Station, CFCR.ca 90.5 FM with co-host, Christina Cherneskey
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Civically speaking is a podcast that focuses on all things civic - focusing in on Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, and wider political, geopolitical, and related issues facing us in a 21st-century word. Host, Lenore Swystun, a Registered Professional Planner, Sociologist, and Facilitator together with Communications Specialist and former Journalist, Christina Cherneskey, invites guests and guest panels to discuss all things current and topical. Civically Speaking episodes are self-produced and aired weekly on Saskatoon's community radio station cfcr.ca along with providing podcast versions and special videocast and podcast direct specials. Tune in, try it, and we promise you'll find yourself coming back for more. We talk planning, politics, people - civically speaking!

  1. 3D AGO

    2026.01.13 Civically Speaking - In the News Today

    Send us a text Dear Listeners, Thanks, as always, for tuning in to Civically Speaking. This episode was uploaded Wednesday morning, with apologies for the delay. Christina and I begin with a few ponderings about the weather. It feels much more like spring than winter, and I have to say, I am loving it. We are also supposed to see good weather for a while yet, which feels like a gift. From there, we jump around to a few different stories, including deep sadness over the death of Trevor Dupois. Trevor was a North Star, originating from the Prince Albert area. He had been living with brain cancer, but his death will now be under investigation following an altercation with security during the early morning or late night hours last Friday. An investigation is supposed to be underway. Our hearts go out to his family. He was an amazing person. We also touch base on a few other items, including the trip Prime Minister Carney and Premier Moe are taking to China and more. Have a listen, and please continue to support community radio. CFCR is your station in Saskatoon, and shows like this are made possible because of you. Civically Speaking, Lenore Swystun and Christina Cherneskey Civically Speaking- Saskatoon Saskatchewan's #1 show about civic issues.

    55 min

  2. JAN 7

    2026.01.06 Civically Speaking It's a New Year 2026

    Send us a text 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 first part of the show, we look at major international developments, focusing on Venezuela and Ukraine, and asked why these events matter for Canada and close to home. We explore how what's going on in Venezuela raises questions about international law, sovereignty, and global energy markets … all of which affect Canada economically and diplomatically. We also discussed the ongoing war in Ukraine and Canada’s deep involvement through aid and diplomacy. And we simply pause on how increasingly unstable the global landscape appears. In the second half of the show, we bring the conversation home to Saskatoon and examined how civic decisions shape everyday life. We talk about the proposed community hub that our mayor, Cynthia Block is proposing. We discuss the Downtown Event and Entertainment District, Bus Rapid Transit, and University of Saskatchewan endowment lands, focusing on how major investments in land and infrastructure raise important questions about priorities, access, and the public good. Across both conversations, one theme is clear … the choices made today shape who benefits, who belongs, and the future of our city. Have a listen. Support community radio and may 2026 be a year we get a good civic engagement work-out. Civically speaking, Lenore Swystun and Christina Cherneskey Civically Speaking- Saskatoon Saskatchewan's #1 show about civic issues.

    56 min

  3. 12/24/2025

    2025.12.23 Civically Speaking - Federal Politics - A Year in Review with guest, Rupan Sambasivam

    Send us a text Dear Listeners, As we head into the holiday season, this week on Civically Speaking, I’m joined by Rupan Sambasivam, a recent political science graduate and aspiring media voice, for a year-end reflection on the major political milestones of 2025. We walk through the federal election, leadership shifts, and key moments that shaped national politics over the year, and then look at how those federal decisions and dynamics rippled closer to home in Saskatchewan and Saskatoon. The focus is on connecting the dots, offering different perspectives, and making sense of a dynamic political year. Civically Speaking, Lenore Swystun, Host Civically Speaking- Saskatoon Saskatchewan's #1 show about civic issues.

    54 min

  4. 12/16/2025

    2025.12.16 Civically Speaking - This Week's News and Technology Trends in our Civic Arenas

    Send us a text Dear Listeners, Thanks for tuning into Civically Speaking. This two-part episode of Civically Speaking brings together what’s happening right now and what it means for civic life moving forward. In Part 1, we walk through the most important stories from the past week, moving from global events to local City Hall decisions, including: Major earthquakes and tsunami warnings in JapanSevere flooding in the Pacific Northwest and British ColumbiaSolar flares and space weather affecting global systemsCanada’s federal government moving one seat away from a majority, raising questions about opposition leadershipA fatal incident at a Saskatchewan potash mine and its impact on the fertilizer sectorRenewed U.S. tariff threats on Canadian fertilizerRising food bank demand in SaskatchewanCity Hall decisions in Saskatoon and Regina, including budget debates, transit pressures, neighbourhood naming, Wildwood Park and infill discussions, and governance processes shaping growth and public spaceThis segment focuses on what’s happening now — and why these stories matter for communities and civic decision-making. Part 2 steps back to examine how technology is reshaping civic systems, with real-world examples from Saskatchewan, across Canada, and globally: Artificial intelligence becoming decision-making infrastructureTechnology’s role in reshaping work and labourData as municipal infrastructurePlatform consolidation and the loss of public digital spaceCybersecurity as a public safety issueThe growing relationship between technology and inequalityTogether, the episode connects the week’s news to broader trends shaping governance, democracy, and community life. Civically Speaking, Lenore Swystun with Christina Cherneskey Civically Speaking- Saskatoon Saskatchewan's #1 show about civic issues.

    56 min

  5. 12/10/2025

    2025.12.09 Civically Speaking. It's Cold Outside.

    Send us a text 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 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  Civically Speaking- Saskatoon Saskatchewan's #1 show about civic issues.

    55 min

  6. 12/03/2025

    2025.12.02 Civically Speaking - Inside Saskatoon’s Budget (and a 108 reasons!?) — And Why City Budgets Everywhere Are Under Pressure

    Send us a text 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. We break 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.

    56 min

  7. 11/19/2025

    2025.11.18 Civically Speaking - Sports and Politics

    Send us a text 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 Glue We kick things off with the joy of cheering on the Saskatchewan Roughriders and the cross-Canada loyalty of Blue Jays fans. From game-day energy to shared heartbreak and celebration, sports remind us how connected we really are. 💰 National and Local Budgets Then we shift into the world of budgets —the vote on the national budget that took place yesterday and then in Part 2 - why city budgets matter and what we can expect next week when Council deliberates. From transit to policing to housing, simple highlights to point us to listening in next week. ⚠️ A Light Dip Into Politics & Polarization We touch on the growing partisan tone across Canada — not too deep, but enough to ask:  How do we stay connected as neighbours when national politics get loud? This episode blends fun, civic insight, and a little bit of reflection on what keeps our communities strong. 💬 Join the conversation! Share with us your thoughts.  And how do you stay grounded when politics *(and sports) get noisy? Civically Speaking, Lenore and Christina Civically Speaking- Saskatoon Saskatchewan's #1 show about civic issues.

    57 min

  8. 11/04/2025

    2025.11.04 Civically Speaking Saskatoon News and Budget Talk

    Send us a text Hello Dear Civically Speaking Listeners, In a sleep deprived week I aimed to bring a smattering of Saskatoon based news in Part 1 including a little tail-end musing about the Blue Jays...ugggg And in Part 2, while watching the proceedings live - ran through some of the highlights coming in from media feeds. It's quite the budget - we won't know how the House votes on it yet - but guessing it will pass - with NDP shying away from the vote. So there you have it... on this eve of a Beaver Full Moon. Civically Speaking,  Lenore with regrets from Christina Civically Speaking- Saskatoon Saskatchewan's #1 show about civic issues.

    56 min
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About

Civically speaking is a podcast that focuses on all things civic - focusing in on Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada, and wider political, geopolitical, and related issues facing us in a 21st-century word. Host, Lenore Swystun, a Registered Professional Planner, Sociologist, and Facilitator together with Communications Specialist and former Journalist, Christina Cherneskey, invites guests and guest panels to discuss all things current and topical. Civically Speaking episodes are self-produced and aired weekly on Saskatoon's community radio station cfcr.ca along with providing podcast versions and special videocast and podcast direct specials. Tune in, try it, and we promise you'll find yourself coming back for more. We talk planning, politics, people - civically speaking!

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