The first shots in Regina’s civic election were fired across the bow, as mayoralty candidates Pat Fiacco and Jim Holmes squared off on the issue of campaign finance disclosure during a debate at the University of Regina this morning.

 “We’ve told you about our finances. You can have the rest of my time to tell us about yours,” challenged Holmes, ceding the stage to Fiacco.

Regina citizens don't want to know who's financing his campaign, Fiacco tells media.
Photo by David O. Mitchell

“Citizens want the roads fixed. They want to talk about real issues, not personal attacks,” Fiacco responded. Fiacco argued that municipal government is the most open and transparent level of governments, because citizens are welcome to attend and speak at meetings. As for campaign financing, Fiacco said he is playing by the rules.

 “It’s clear. The bylaw states you do not have to disclose your donations. Right now, those are the rules, and those who are making donations are doing so under that impression,” he said. He also stated his team has been fundraising for six years.

 In media scrum after the debate, Fiacco said his position remains firm. “I have not had anyone, other than Mr. Holmes and his group, bring up campaign disclosure. This is not an issue for the citizens of Regina," he told reporters.

Mayor keeps mum on finances

During the debate, Holmes reported that the Coalition for a Citizen-Friendly Regina, which is backing his mayoralty bid, has raised about $20,000. Two-thirds of that amount comes from personal donations, and one-third has been contributed by unions, he said. 

Holmes argued that just because there is no legal requirement to disclose campaign funds, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t do so. “You do the right thing, whether there’s a law or not,” he said. He also noted that other cities don’t allow campaign contributions to roll-over from one campaign to the next, as Fiacco had indicated he’d done in the past six years.

Holmes said voters need to know if property developers are heavy contributors, when development is an important and sometimes contentious civic issue. He pointed out that a city-wide committee had recommended Regina join other Canadian cities in requiring election financing disclosure. The recommendation was turned down by Council, whose members include Fiacco, the current mayor.

Fiacco stated Council’s decision was one more reason for non-disclosure. “The decision has been made by Council, and we must respect that,” he said.

The environment, urban sprawl, city transit and aboriginal inclusion were also debated, as candidates responded to questions researched and prepared by political science students.

Urban reserves on hold

On the issue of urban reserves, Fiacco said he is working to make Regina a centre for First Nations economic activity, pointing to the recent groundbreaking for a new First Nations-owned gas bar and convenience store at the airport. But he noted the city lacks the legislative tools to deal fully with aboriginal and immigration issues, and must rely on other levels of government.

He said the establishment of urban reserves is “tied up in the federal bureaucracy”, but the city encourages this type of development.

Holmes said he’d spoken with aboriginal leaders and that their impression is that the city is putting urban reserves on hold, not the federal government. He said Regina stands out as an exception to urban reserve growth in other Saskatchewan cities.

“Even Swift Current, with few First Nations people, has an urban reserve,” he said. Holmes also criticized the city’s record in hiring aboriginal employees, and promised to ensure a more representative workforce if he became mayor.

Downtown decay and poor transit linked, says Holmes

Answering a question about urban sprawl, Fiacco said 30 per cent of new development in Regina is in the city’s “current footprint.” He said there was pressure for new land to be opened up, and stated that “all new development is paid by the developers, all the new infrastructure is paid by the developers”

Asked for tangible alternatives to sprawl, Holmes said more attention should be paid to revitalizing the downtown and warehouse areas. “Downtown is the heart of the city,” he said, arguing that visitors want a unique urban centre. “You can go to a WalMart or a Home Depot anywhere,” he said.

Fixing up decaying infrastructure and adding a high-speed transit system are ideas to consider, he added. “Why not buses every ten minutes, like in a real city?” he asked. The transit system isn’t gaining new riders because of cost and inconvenience, he argued. In addition, people with disabilities have to “wait and wait and wait” for accessible buses, which are distributed haphazardly among the routes, he said.

Free transportation to the urban centre shouldn’t be out of the question, he suggested, noting the idea took hold in Calgary, “not exactly a hotbed of socialism.”

Delving into transportation issues, Fiacco said the city was replacing its aged fleet with more environmentally friendly buses, and has developed a bus pass discount program. He said he planned to work with students and the university to develop ideas for better transportation.

Development proposals - growth or sprawl?

On environmental sustainability, Holmes said the city’s plans for big box development and more cars traveling from suburbs will ultimately drain precious energy sources. For his part, Fiacco highlighted the city’s water conservation efforts, and the Communities of Tomorrow program, which channels funds to university-based research on sustainability.

Asked to respond to his “pro-business” label, Fiacco said his objective in office was to represent all citizens. “Some will be pleased with decisions, other not,” he said. He noted that his platform also focuses on social development, and that there are no property developers sitting on the Mayor’s Task Force on Regina’ Future.

“I think my record speaks for itself,” he said, pointing to continued growth and events like the Rolling Stones concert. “The majority of Regina citizens are very happy with the ways things are going.”

“Another big box development isn’t smart,” said.

 Holmes noted developers will always be attracted to cheap land and cheap servicing, but that shouldn’t determine City Hall’s priorities. The planned southeast development makes sense, but the area south of the airport isn’t suitable for residences, he said.

Audience responds with cheers, catcalls

 To help grow the city, things like better wages and support for culture will make Regina a more desirable place to live, Holmes said. “Culture is important to create a buzz.”

 In his concluding remarks, Fiacco said under his watch crime has been reduced, there is “swift and severe justice” for bullies, and efforts are being made to fix streets and roads, although federal and provincial support are needed for the task.

 Holmes concluded with a call for more creative approaches. “Regina can be the most exciting, progressive city in the world. Invest in culture, for starters. We need to open libraries, not close them,” he said.

 He called for better police resources, and more effort to clean up neglected neighbourhoods. He also noted that holding the line on taxes has depleted the city’s savings.

 “Regina keeps its taxes down by spending our reserves,” he said, stating that the city’s reserves have dropped from $50 million to $30 million, while the City of Moose Jaw has a $70 million reserve.

 About 250 people attended the event, which was organized by the Political Science department and its students.

 While there was polite applause for Fiacco throughout, the audience appeared to respond more enthusiastically to Holmes, particularly on the campaign finance issue. Holmes’ challenge to disclose was met with cheers and spontaneous clapping, while scattered catcalls greeted Fiacco’s response.

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