Council approves referendum on wastewater treatment plant upgrades

City council has approved a referendum on the funding model for upgrades to Regina's wastewater treatment plant.

City council has voted unanimously in favour of holding a referendum on the funding model for upgrades to Regina’s wastewater treatment plant.

The decision comes after the city clerk’s office ruled last week that a petition calling for a referendum had an insufficient number of valid signatures.

“We need to rise above this issue and, frankly, heal this community a bit – because there is a bit of raw nerves here – to say we’re going to do the right thing, we’re going to give the public a chance to decide this,” Regina Mayor Michael Fougere said after Monday night’s meeting.

“I don’t think this is a situation where it’s rule-by-referendum. I wouldn’t want to see that because we are delegated to make decisions, but this is an extraordinary case.”

Regina Water Watch, the group behind the petition, said council’s decision to put the issue to a referendum was a victory for them.

“Council agreed with us that this is an important issue,” said Jim Holmes of Regina Water Watch.

“That’s wonderful; it’s overwhelming, in some ways. I’m not sure I’ve processed it all yet”

The petition was launched after council approved a public-private partnership funding model for the $224-million project.

The referendum, which will be the first in Regina since 1991, will be held this fall. The question that will be put to the public will be worded the same as the one on the Water Watch petition.