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Jan 10, 2025
"When I found out this opportunity was possible, it was a very easy decision for me."
With just days to go before Regina residents head to the polls, Michael Fougere revealed the final part of his platform Thursday.
The mayoral candidate announced his plan to provide funding for addictions and mental health help in the city.
“It is rampant in our city. I’ve heard from so many people there isn’t enough resources to help out … I think we as a city can do more,” Fougere said.
That would include the City of Regina providing $250,000 for a non-profit organization to provide a new first point of access for people in need.
Fougere said there are a lot of issues that can lead to an increase in people that need help with addictions or mental health.
“COVID is one of them and that’s causing a lot of stress in people’s lives. There are people who have lost their businesses, they may lose their home, they’re worried about their children. Just generally in our life today there’s lots of stress happening,” Fougere said.
“Criminally, you’re seeing people who are selling drugs — drugs that are incredibly powerful — and people are dying from that as well.
“We’re dealing with another pandemic. I hate to use that term, but that’s accurate. It’s widespread and everywhere. People you may not even think are addicted are struggling.”
Fougere said his full platform can be found on his website.
Along with the support for mental health and addictions, Fougere also wants to introduce a property tax freeze and use reserve funds to keep things affordable, implement a 10-year economic plan, and redirect parking fine revenues to support downtown infrastructure and beautification.
He said he would want to talk to council right away to get the ball rolling on his ideas.
Fougere also responded to criticism from other candidates about his eight years in office.
“The conversation and dialogue from the other candidates is one of doom and gloom and how nothing’s ever happened here and I just think that’s not the city I see,” Fougere said. “As we go forward from COVID, I have a plan of action that no one else has. No one’s talking about the economy. No one’s talking about these things at all.”
The civic election is set for Monday.