Fougere sends wish list to Freeland ahead of Tuesday's throne speech

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“I thought it was good opportunity to restate some of the major issues Regina is facing,” he explained.

Fougere wants the federal government to locate the proposed Canada Water Agency headquarters in the city, saying Regina’s centralized location and upcoming infrastructure projects will make it a logical hub for the agency.

“We are in the heartland of our farmland, and Lake Diefenbaker and the recently announced $4 billion irrigation project,” said Fougere.

Relief for the oil and gas industry is also sought, but so too is investment in green technology.

“Regina needs to pursue several projects to reduce our carbon footprint,” wrote Fougere. “Funding for green municipal projects must be paramount.”

But in the interim, Fougere asked for fewer taxes applied to struggling industry, saying federal policy has placed a “chilling effect” on energy investment and projects.

“Oil and gas is a fundamental pillar of our economy. It’s what really drives our economy,” he said.

“I don’t think anyone doubts the fact that a transition will take place over time, but support today is really important.”

He said addressing oil and gas would be a good olive branch to extend to the West, given what Fougere said was “the current climate of western alienation.”

Continued federal support for Protein Industries Canada was also touched on.

Mayoral candidate Sandra Masters said she’s all in favour of municipalities reaching out to the feds for support prior to the throne speech.

“Support at this level should be a large part of the economic recovery,” she added.

“It’s of the utmost importance that cities like Regina develop strong ties to provincial and federal levels of government.”

Though Fougere is the city’s current mayor, he said he sent this letter as a candidate in the race, not as the current mayor, despite signing the letter as “Michael Fougere, Mayor.”

The Regina Leader-Post also reached out to mayoralty candidate Jerry Flegel but did not receive a response by press deadline.

alsalloum@postmedia.com