http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/saskatchewan/regina-mayor-very-pleased-federal-budget-1.3503474
Regina Mayor Michael Fougere 'very pleased' by federal budget
Says city will get $35 million for infrastructure, housing, transit
By Micki Cowan, CBC News Posted: Mar 22, 2016 9:26 PM CT| Last Updated: Mar 22, 2016 9:35 PM CT
Regina Mayor Michael Fougere said he got everything he was hoping for out of the federal budget tabled in Ottawa Tuesday.
The mayor said he discussed funding for infrastructure, housing and public transit at a meeting between Ottawa and municipal leaders in February.
On Tuesday afternoon, he announced that the Liberals are making good on their promise of $35 million for the city.
■Regina mayor asking for $35M in federal infrastructure funding
■What the federal budget means for Saskatchewan
"They have delivered in what they said they are going to do, and this is good news for everyone," Fougere said.
"It's a lot of money being spent on municipalities, and for us it's a good budget."
Transit maintenance facility funding
The city's first priority, according to Fougere, was funding for a transit maintenance facility.
■'Serious concerns' with Regina Transit maintenance: SGI
He said it looks like the money will be there for that.
"It was announced today that the federal government will fund up to 50 per cent of that, which is different than what it was before," he said.
'For the moment, we're very, very pleased.'
- Michael Fougere, mayor of Regina
Fougere said it's a "breath of fresh air" for the federal government to have a direct discussion with the cities, and follow through on promises.
"They want to have a discussion with us and understand that cities, municipalities, know the best projects. They know what's best for their city. And they've listened to that."
He said the city will be digging into the details of the budget over the next few days.
The current promise covers the city's infrastructure and housing funding for the next two years. But in the coming months, the city will have to negotiate on longer-term investments.
"But for the moment, we're very, very pleased."
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