Fougere officially launches bid for re-election as Regina mayor

As he kicked off his bid to secure a third term as Regina’s mayor, Michael Fougere cast himself as a steady hand and one that will stay out of the pockets of taxpayers.

Fougere, who was first elected to the job in 2012, pointed to achievements like the construction of Mosaic Stadium and a new wastewater treatment plant as well as road improvements and additions at Evraz Place.

“What I’m offering is stability,” Fougere said Tuesday after launching his campaign at an event in downtown Regina.

“A lot people talk about the need for stability as we go forward. It’s the people’s choice and people always get the answer right.”

He made one promise Tuesday, vowing not to raise property taxes in 2021 and into the “foreseeable future.”

Facing a budget deficit that could be in the millions of dollars thanks to COVID-19, Fougere proposes to use reserves to cover the shortfall.

Fougere said reserves, which he described as being “generally healthy,” are meant as a contingency and if there was ever a time to dip into them, it’s now.

“So many people tell me it’s difficult to make ends meet. People have lost their jobs. Businesses are at risk or have closed,” he said, pointing out he opposed the council’s 2020 budget which included a 3.25 per cent increase in property taxes.

“Now is the time for us to take stock and say we have reserves and we can use them as a rainy day fund to take care of those issues that are important.”

There’s no telling how long of a shadow the novel coronavirus will cast over the economy. Fougere did not say how long he’d be willing to rely on reserves for, only that it would be more than a single year.

“We’ll see how that goes, how we move through COVID-19 (and) what’s required by the city to assure that we have a safe, prosperous future,” he said.

During his campaign launch, Fougere was introduced by his friend and bandmate, Murad Al-Katib, who’s also the president and CEO of AGT Foods.

In vouching for his friend, Al-Katib described Fougere as somebody who would strike a balance between economic development and social programs.

Fougere himself seemed to reject suggestions of service cuts being needed.

“I’ve been in this position for eight years and I’m fully aware and understand the details of budget creation and how it goes forward,” he said.

“There are different ways to provide service, but service reductions? Not a chance. No.”

Fougere joins a list of candidates for mayor that currently also includes Jim Elliott, Tony Fiacco, Coun. Jerry Flegel, Mitchell C. Howse and George Wooldridge.

The municipal election is set for Nov. 9.