REGINA - Regina mayoral candidate Bill Pratt has released his key policy planks in the runup to the Nov. 13 municipal election.
Pratt released his platform, billed as Pratt’s “Vision for Regina’s Future,” at his campaign office Friday. That vision statement is based on three pillars.
The first, Pratt says, calls for visionary leadership for unity and transparency. Pratt pledged to “foster trust and collaboration among elected officials, residents and all City of Regina employees.”
“I know that real progress requires the buy-in of every council member, community leader and resident,” Pratt said. “My leadership will bring people together, ensuring transparency and accountability every step of the way. With my leadership, we will build trust together, create a unified council with a shared vision and empower community-led engagement.”
The second pillar Pratt points to is a thriving business community.
He said a thriving economy “requires the support and collaboration of businesses, governments, citizens, unions, community organizations and educational institutions. We must create the space for businesses to do what they do best – be creative, serve their customers, employ people and support our community.”
Pratt is pledging to inspire others to invest in and support local growth, calling for “partnerships for business success, smart incentives and a growing our tax base together. Investing in people and building a resilient, connected community means we will inspire collaborative action to create a safe and supportive community.”
On transformative projects, Pratt pledges to approach them as shares investments. His vision document pledges to engage stakeholders to ensure the projects “serve the broader food, minimize tax impairs, and create lasting value for Regina.”
His third pillar is his pledge to build a safe and connected community.
“For Regina to thrive, it must be a city where everyone feels safe and supported,” Pratt said. “Addressing homelessness, addiction and public safety is a task that requires cooperation and collaboration between all of us. It will take businesses, non-profits, government, unions and citizens.
“My role as Mayor is to unite these voices in pursuit of lasting solutions. We will take a collaborative approach to social issues and revitalize downtown. Building a bold and prosperous city requires all of us to get involved.”
Pratt’s announcement comes just two days after the incumbent in the race, Sandra Masters, released her 2024 platform document. Masters’ platform calls for building safer communities, financial accountability and transparency, a commitment to improved city infrastructure, and a focus on people and jobs.
There are 11 candidates on the ballot for mayor and the other major contenders include Chad Bachynski, whose campaign has had a heavy emphasis on how to address infrastructure and capital projects, as well as Lori Bresciani who has spent the last eight years on council representing Ward 4. Both Bresciani and Masters are the only candidates in the race with experience on council.
Pratt has been critical during this campaign of the “Sandra and Lori show” on council - a line he used during Wednesday’s Access TV mayor’s debate - as well as of the division and conflicts seen at city council meetings in recent years.
He spoke some more to reporters about how he would approach keeping council members on the same page.
“There's this approach, you say, you can either call someone in or call someone out,” said Pratt. “I think what we've seen is the call somebody out if somebody does something, and we call them out in public. So you put somebody, we're actually embarrassing somebody. It's not a good way to do.”
Instead, Pratt said he preferred calling someone in and taking a one-on-one approach.
“It's really about getting in front of these things. And I look at all the council candidates that are running this time, and I have great confidence that they're here for the betterment of Regina. And they, like I've been talking about, and the residents have been talking about, they're tired of that. There's nothing fun about being part of dysfunction. It's exhausting. And it keeps us away from what we need to do. They don't want to go there either.
“And so at the very least, we start on day one with this understanding between all of us that we're all saying, let's stay in a conflict-free zone. We can have debates. We can have different views. You bet, 100 per cent. Let's not make it cheap and amateur and embarrass this city.“
Pratt also spoke about the Indoor Aquatic Facility project, one that has been a hot issue in this campaign. Candidate Bresciani has called to revisit the proposal on account of soaring costs and to take another look at renovating the Lawson Aquatic Centre.
Pratt made it known he thought the new Indoor Aquatic facility ought to go ahead.
“When I look at the Aquatic Centre, we've been through this for how many years? Many years. We've tried to undo the decision once. It's got to move forward. It's good for our city's future. It aligns with our community plan. It matters to the people of this city.”
The municipal race in Regina is already in the stretch run with election day voting taking place Nov. 13. Advance polls in the municipal vote are now open at several polling places from 10 am to 6 p.m., including a drive-thru poll at City Hall open from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. during that period.
Advance polls will be open Nov. 1 to 4. Voters will cast ballots in races for mayor, city council, and for either the public or Catholic school board.
For more information on how to vote go to https://www.regina.ca/elections/info-for-voters/advance-polls/ .
