Several groups in Regina have signed a letter sent to Mayor Sandra Masters and City Council, that reaffirms their belief and commitment to make the Queen City 100 percent renewable by 2050.
The ambitious goal was introduced by the city’s previous council, but up until last fall’s election some feel that the City had strayed away from that commitment.
Wascana Solar Co-op, Regina Blue Dot Group, the Saskatchewan Electric Vehicle Association, The Council of Canadians, and EnvironCollective all feel that the new Council at City Hall is moving in the right direction.
Josh Campbell, the President of Wascana Solar Co-op said they feel the goal is perhaps more attainable than ever with the current city council.
“This first letter is just one of encouragement,” Campbell said. “It asks council and the mayor to continue in that direction and I think we’re actually very optimistic with this new council and mayor that they’re going to go in that direction,” Campbell added.
Campbell said with the letter they also hope to create a more positive conversation as time passes.
“Overall we just want to encourage positivity, instead of talking about what won’t work we want to talk about what will work to attain this goal moving forward, he said.
In a news release it also stats that those who signed are committed to helping the city act swiftly, with a focused and regionally tailored approach.
The letter sent to the City read as follows;
February 21, 2021
City of Regina
Offices of Mayor and Councillors
Regina, Saskatchewan
Attention:
Mayor Sandra Masters, and Councillors of the City of Regina: Cheryl Stadnichuk, Bob Hawkins, Andrew Stevens, Lori
Bresciani, John Findura, Dan LeBlanc, Terina Shaw, Shanon Zachidniak, Jason Mancinelli, Landon Mohl
RE: City of Regina -Ratified Goal of 100% Renewable by 2050
Dear Mayor Masters and Members of Regina City Council,
We still remember attending that historic meeting in October, 2018, when Council voted to make Regina 100% renewable by 2050.
Many of our organizations addressed Council that day and pledged our support to help Regina reach that goal. However, up until the
civic election last fall, we were quite frustrated with the lack of momentum generated towards this goal. This was especially
frustrating given the lack of movement on Councillor Bob Hawkins amendment, that asked for four new, concrete actions by 2023.
Yet, we remain optimistic. With the election of a new mayor and council this past fall we sense that there is a shift towards policies
which will take our city in the direction of the goal of being 100% renewable by 2050. We want to say that we support and encourage
this shift.
During Mayor Masters’ candidacy she shared the following regarding the Renewable Regina goal:
● “As a city we must act swiftly. And if we don’t, as we have seen in other jurisdictions, it will be forced upon us.
This is not going to be an optional thing.”
● “There are industries to be developed and there are jobs to be had in green initiatives.”
● “We need a focused and regionally tailored approach.”
● “The idea is building consensus.”
● “There’s jobs in it, there’s a better climate in it… and the City of Regina needs to do its part… and I don’t know why we can’t
lead in it.”
We, the undersigned, are committed to helping the Regina Mayor and City Council to act swiftly with a focused and regionally
tailored approach. Our goal is to build consensus and help the public and decision-makers understand the great economic and
environmental opportunities that are to be gained if we support renewable energy and energy efficiency initiatives. As part of our
commitment, in the coming months we are planning to offer specific, policy suggestions that could best help the City reach its goal.
Consider this our commitment to you. That we are with you in what is probably Regina’s most ambitious and energizing mandate.
Like Mayor Masters, we, the undersigned, believe that our city can lead in this way, given the huge renewable energy potential in our
region.
