Meet Regina mayoral candidate: Bill Pratt
Bill Pratt believes three decades spent working with non-profits has prepared him to lead city council in his hometown.
The former CEO of Eden Care Communities hopes to inspire during his run for the top job.
"People want us to do better. We have not given up on Regina, people want us to succeed," he told CTV News.
Prior to his six years at Eden Care, Pratt served as the director of development for the Winnipeg Art Gallery as well as the President and CEO Manitoba’s Lung Association.
Pratt explained that’s he’s toyed with the prospect of getting into civic politics for a long time – but was pushed to do so this past year New Year’s Eve.
"A gentleman froze to death, at a bus stop, and what really turned it for me when the city, the mayor, eventually came out and said something, it was about, 'We're going to review our transit policies to see what we can do next time,'” Pratt recalled.
“Fair enough, except we missed an opportunity to back up and say, 'Is this the city we've become?"
As part of his campaign, Pratt has vowed to unify council and foster trust with residents through improved engagement efforts.
Additionally, Pratt says he’ll work to ensure economic impact, population and tax base growth continues while continuing efforts to make Regina’s downtown inviting and welcoming.
"I'm not running to be city manager, that's not my job, my job as mayor is to lead council and to lead our city in a way that brings the best out of our people and work together to find the solutions," he added.
Pratt believes his experiences and leadership capabilities will help guide the way for a brighter tomorrow in the Queen City.
"My ability to work with all people," he said.
"Doesn't matter how you voted in the voting booth. It doesn't matter what party you support, doesn't matter what part of town you live it, you're a citizen of our city. That's my job."
- With files from Donovan Maess
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
U.S. Postal Service suspends accepting mail bound for Canada due to strike
The U.S. Postal Service has temporarily suspended accepting mail headed to Canada due to the strike by Canada Post workers.
Biden pardons his son Hunter despite previous pledges not to
U.S. President Joe Biden pardoned his son, Hunter, on Sunday night, sparing the younger Biden a possible prison sentence for federal felony gun and tax convictions and reversing his past promises not to use the extraordinary powers of the presidency for the benefit of his family.
Kremlin says Trump threat to BRICS nations over U.S. dollar will backfire
The Kremlin said on Monday that any U.S. attempt to compel countries to use the dollar would backfire after U.S. president-elect Donald Trump threatened to impose tariffs on BRICS countries if they created their own currency.
Ontario food banks cutting back amid 'unprecedented surge in demand'
About 40 per cent of food banks in the province have scaled back the amount of food they provide each visit amid “record-high demand,” according to a new report by Feed Ontario.
Crews work to reopen highway north of Toronto after major snowstorm hits cottage country
Crews are still working to reopen Highway 11 north of Toronto after parts of Ontario’s cottage country were hit with upwards of 140 centimetres of snowfall over the weekend.
'Devastating': Missing Surrey, B.C. teen found dead, family says
The family of a missing 18-year-old, who was last seen in Surrey over a month ago, says there has been a tragic end to the search.
Elton John says he has lost his eyesight and struggles to see his new stage musical
Elton John says he struggled to watch his new musical because he has lost his eyesight after contracting an infection.
opinion Are you overpaying for subscriptions? It's time for an audit
From streaming platforms and apps to gym memberships and meal kits, subscriptions are convenient, but it's easy to overlook how much you're spending. Personal finance contributor Christopher Liew offers tips on how to audit your subscriptions to save money.
PM Trudeau 'surprised' provinces unanimous on accelerated defence spending: Ford
Ontario Premier Doug Ford says his fellow provincial leaders are united in pushing for Canada to meet its NATO defence spending targets ahead of schedule, and that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was 'surprised' to hear it.