Infrastructure, affordable housing on Regina mayor's federal budget wish list

Despite some uncertainty with a new government and it being in a deficit position, Regina Mayor Michael Fougere remains optimistic the city will get funding from Ottawa aimed at addressing several important and needed projects.

The mayor said his top priority remains money for a new transit maintenance facility – a larger space where city buses can get fixed – since the fleet now has outgrown its current facility. He’s also advocating for money to help repair certain bridges and roads, including the Winnipeg Street overpass.

The last item on his so-called wish list would be funding towards affordable housing.

“Market housing will handle itself but we’re looking at co-op housing,” he explained.

Fougere will be watching from his office Tuesday afternoon as Finance Minister Bill Morneau unveils his first budget since the Liberals won a majority government in October’s federal election. The party campaigned on the fact it would run a deficit. That deficit projection is expected to balloon from what was originally predicted.

That’s not phasing the mayor, fully understanding that’s one of the pillars the party ran on.

“We’re encouraged by what the federal government is saying on all files actually — infrastructure, housing and with transit as well. They seem to be listening to what municipalities have to say,” said Fougere.

The budget will come down at 2 p.m.