Zachidniak switches sides on fossil fuel advertising motion, likely deciding vote result

It’s very likely that fossil fuel companies will still be allowed to sponsor city property in Regina.

A storm of public outcry broke out when council’s executive committee voted to drop fossil fuel companies as advertisers Jan. 20.

That vote passed by a margin of 7-4, with Mayor Sandra Masters and councillors Terina Shaw, John Findura and Lori Bresciani opposing.

However, for the official vote Wednesday, the tide now appears to have turned.

In an exclusive interview with 980 CJME, Coun. Shanon Zachidniak revealed she intends to switch sides. She joins Coun. Landon Mohl in declaring she will change her vote.

If both councillors keep their word and the original four members don’t change their minds, fossil fuel companies would still be allowed to advertise on City of Regina property by a margin of 6-5.

“The appropriate way to deal with it at this point … would be for an amendment to come forward to remove the part that restricts city fossil fuel advertising … So it’s reversing the decision that I previously made, which I realize was a mistake,” Zachidniak said.

She claimed at the time of the initial vote, she didn’t have enough information to make the right decision.

“In absence of that information, it’s not even possible to make an informed decision. I realize that looking back. I know in the future that if something comes to the floor of council … I will be asking myself, ‘Do we have the adequate information in front of us to evaluate the implications of this decision?’ Absolutely, it’s a lesson learned,” she said.

She claimed the motion was not clear enough about which companies would be added to the advertising ban list.

“If people had answers in their minds about those, those were based on assumptions of what we thought it would apply to, not facts. Not complete information,” she said.

When she was initially in favour, it was partially because she did hope to see some companies disallowed from advertising, including Shell and Husky. Despite being asked multiple times, she would not clarify what criteria she thinks fossil fuel companies need to meet in order to make the cut as a sponsor.

Another factor in her change of heart was the community’s outrage.

“What happened with that amendment is that it just furthered the division that can exist when we talk about environmental issues. It just created more defensiveness,” Zachidniak said.

“I ran on a strong environmental platform and that does represent the changes I committed to making as a councillor. But the way that this unfolded wasn’t helpful. I think we can find ways to make policy that is not going to divide our community.”

The executive committee motion garnered reactions from many. Premier Scott Moe, the Regina and District Chamber of Commerce and the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers all heavily criticized the move.