Mayor says PM seems open to city funding requests
On the 15th floor of Regina City Hall on Wednesday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau sat in a room, surrounded by Saskatchewan Roughriders memorabilia.
He said it was great to be welcomed back to Regina.
“It’s wonderful to be here,” Trudeau said, flanked by Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale and Regina Mayor Michael Fougere. “I’m really looking forward to seeing Evraz. I know it’s one of the largest private-sector employers in the city.”
During a half-hour talk with Fougere, Trudeau ventured beyond the steel sector — the ostensible reason for his visit. According to the mayor, the pair discussed infrastructure, homelessness and transit.
Fougere did not share any firm new commitments the prime minister had made on those issues, except to continue those conversations.
But the mayor said it was a positive discussion, and that he believes Trudeau is listening.
Above all, he seemed pleased to have the federal government’s ear on his push for a solution to the Ring Road rail crossing.
“The overpass or underpass on Ring Road is a critical factor for us,” Fougere told reporters after the meeting.
“He understands that. He knows that we’ll be applying for funding and he’s certainly prepared to look at that, and that’s a positive.”
He said he wants to make sure Ottawa will chip in to pay for that project, expected to cost somewhere in the $100-million range. Fougere said he also pushed Trudeau to help him secure a share of marijuana tax revenues, something that’s currently in the province’s hands.
“We want to make sure the federal government, through its own offices, can encourage the provinces, particularly Saskatchewan, to share that revenue,” said the mayor.
He said Trudeau was also “receptive” to lending a hand in the city’s plan to achieve functional zero homelessness, expected this fall.
“The federal government has a major role to play in housing,” Fougere said.
“Homelessness is a major priority for council, and the prime minister is very receptive to that discussion.”
Fougere added he believes Trudeau has “got our back” in defending the steel industry against the possibility of U.S. tariffs. The warm words went both ways. On the 15th floor, Trudeau commended the mayor as a helpful partner.
“It’s been an amazing pleasure to work with you over these past years,” he said, “with such a strong vision for the City of Regina.”