During its monthly meeting, Regina City Council passed a resolution that will increase salaries for the Mayor and Council by 26 percent over the next three years.
The decision comes after a report showing that Regina councillors are paid less when compared to other cities.
The Mayor’s salary will be increased to $151,015 up from $144,832, and councillor salaries will be increased to $57,660 from $45,442.
Council said that raising salaries will encourage more people to run for council, which in turn would create a more diverse council.
Mayor Michael Fougere said that by passing this resolution, he believes Council is sending the wrong message.
“I don’t believe it’s the appropriate time, we have a health crisis happening, the worst issue in a generation,” said Fougere. “We have financial uncertainty with people losing their businesses, people losing their jobs, financial difficulties. So it just seems to me that this is not the message that we should be sending right now.”
The vote passed 8-3, with some councillors joining the Mayor in saying that passing a wage increase during the COVID-19 pandemic was not the right time.
Fougere adds that for most people, politics is a calling, not a career choice.
“I do think that those who would like to run, and they feel that there’s not enough support financially, I understand that,” said Fougere. “I go back to the point that being in politics, at least at the municipal level, is more of a calling than a career. It’s not something you do for your life, so for me, I’m just uncomfortable, particularly at this point in time, to do this.”
The pay increase wouldn’t take effect until after a new council is voted in.
Council also passed a resolution that will see City Square Plaza renamed Pat Fiacco Plaza, in honour of Regina’s former mayor.
Fougere says he’s happy to see Fiacco get the credit he deserves.
“Well I’m pleased,” said Fougere. “I think that Pat’s contributions to this city, in so many different ways, were substantial and long-lasting. This is a rightful legacy for him, so I’m very, very pleased that we passed it.”
City Council didn’t finish get through the monthly agenda, which includes a debate on a mask mandate. Council will resume on a later date.