Dear Councillor,

​Our world is facing a climate emergency. And Saskatchewan and the City of Regina -- with their heavy reliance on agriculture -- aren't immune from its effects. According to University of Regina academic Emily Eaton, Saskatchewan’s per-capita emissions are 246% above the national average and are some of the highest in the world, larger than oil-exporting countries like Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.​ We need bold climate action in Regina to avoid catastrophic climate change.

In the 2020 municipal election, many Regina City Council candidates who promised to show leadership on climate change -- in line with Council's recent "Renewable City" motion to become a 100% renewable city by 2050 -- received donations, help from volunteers and were elected based on this promise. Several city councillors still publicly describe themselves as environmentalists.

In January 2021, Regina City Council Executive Committee voted 7-4 to prohibit fossil fuel companies from sponsoring city facilities. As you know, if enacted by Council, this would not ban fossil fuel advertising in the city or attack jobs, but would stop a big oil company from purchasing the naming rights to a city building or facility.

The Saskatchewan Premier and other far-right commentators, hoping to re-direct attention away from a failing pandemic response, threatened to withhold money from Regina and are enabling a torrent of verbal abuse upon City Councillors -- all based on half-truths and fear-mongering.

If you and your colleagues back down over this minor change to a sponsorship policy early in your term, will you be able to stand strong on bolder, meaningful climate action, closer to the next election?

I am writing today to show my support for members of Regina City Council who promised climate action and urge you to stand strong and keep your promise to deliver it.