Quarterback Jake Maier excited to join Riders, reunite with coaches
Jan 10, 2025
"When I found out this opportunity was possible, it was a very easy decision for me."
Mayor Michael Fougere has laid out four priorities the City of Regina would like to see in the federal government’s throne speech Wednesday.
In a letter sent Monday to Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland, Fougere requested support for the Queen City from the federal government.
“Regina is well-positioned to grow with our skilled workforce, increasing population and world-class infrastructure, but we need an economic booster shot,” Fougere wrote. “We cannot burden our citizens or businesses with tax increases, and we cannot legally run a deficit.”
Fougere noted $150 billion worth of energy projects have been cancelled in Saskatchewan, including pipelines. He said that has had an impact on Regina-based Evraz Steel, which Fougere said “has cut many jobs and hundreds more are at risk.”
He added Canada’s ongoing trade battle with China over canola has weakened the agricultural sector in Saskatchewan, which is a key component of municipalities’ economy.
To help the city, Fougere asked the federal government to locate the headquarters of the proposed Canada Water Agency in Regina.
He also suggested Regina-based businesses involved in the Protein Industries Canada (PIC) program should continue to receive funding. As well, research programs that can be done for PIC at the University of Regina should be considered.
As well, Fougere requested federal funding for green infrastructure initiatives in Regina.
Finally, the mayor asked the finance minister for support for the energy industry.
“Talk of a clean fuel tax adding to the burden of the other carbon tax or any further policy harming our industries hurts our economic prospects,” Fougere wrote. “We can significantly reduce worldwide emissions by simply exporting more of our clean, sustainably produced energy to a world that needs it.”