Mental health, taxes top agenda for mayoral candidate Fiacco

On a bitterly cold Thursday morning, Tony Fiacco came out hot.

One of nine candidates running to be mayor of Regina, Fiacco revealed the major planks in his campaign during an outdoor media conference at the Scarth Street Mall. He didn't let the cold weather cool any of his passion.

“We're going to take care of mental health and addictions,” Fiacco said. “We're going to take care of our policing and our infrastructure. We're going to do property tax reform and make sure that the citizens of Regina get value for their dollar.”

Fiacco became emotional while talking about mental health and what transpired with Samwel Uko, who was found dead in Wascana Lake in May after twice being turned away from the Regina General Hospital. The family said the 20-year-old Uko died by suicide.

“We need to take care of those individuals that have mental health issues and addictions,” Fiacco said. “We've seen the people who have been turned away from the hospital because there isn't any help for them.

“What has happened? They have taken their lives and we need to stop that. There wasn't any reason for that young man to lose his life if we had proper care and a proper system within the Regina General Hospital or any hospital. It's time for a change.”

Fiacco said that he would push for the Regina Police Service to add a minimum of two officers to deal with mental health and addictions. He would also like to see that officers be available 24 hours a day, seven days week.

Fiacco would also work with Indigenous leaders to ensure that their needs are being met in regards to mental health and addiction issues.

Fiacco added he wants to bring “accountability and transparency to to the city council” under the slogan of “Create Your Regina.”

It's also the second time Fiacco has run for mayor. In 2016, he was the runner-up to incumbent Michael Fougere.

In terms of dealing with COVID-19 and the wearing of face masks, Fiacco would follow the lead of Saskatchewan's chief medical health officer, Dr. Saqib Shahab. Some local businesses have mandated the wearing of face masks while the city encourages their use indoors and on public transit.

“Whatever the policy is of the provincial government and Sask. Health is, I will follow it as mayor of Regina and so will city council,” Fiacco said.

MURRAY MCCORMICK Tony Fiacco, one of nine candidates for mayor of Regina, reveals details of his platform on Thursday during a news conference at the Scarth Street Mall. This is Fiacco's second time running for mayor.