REGINA - After a long 10-hour meeting, city council has decided to proceed with a previous motion to add fluoride to Regina’s water.
A large portion of city council based their decision on advice given by local health experts.
"[I relied] on the professionals and the experts [for my vote]," said Mayor Chad Bachynski.
A health official with the Saskatchewan Health Authority (SHA)collected from Grade 1 to Grade 7 students showed better oral health in communities with fluoride in water than without.
fluoride in water, stating it can prevent dental and skeletal fluorosis.
While seven councillors voted against reconsidering the motion, Ward 1 Coun. Dan Rashovich, Ward 7 Coun. Shobna Radons and Ward 10 Coun. Clark Bezo supported the reconsideration.
Bezo, who put forward the reconsideration motion, said he was "disappointed in the vote."
He said the entire process of adding fluoride to Regina’s water wasn’t good, with the lack of consultation with residents and surrounding communities who will be affected by this decision, including Pense and Grand Coulee.
"Now, the City of Regina just made decisions for other communities," he said.
Radons was also frustrated with a lack of consultation, questioning the city’s "Truth and Reconciliation" by not speaking to Indigenous groups on the matter.
Many delegates against fluoride mentioned they should have a choice of what goes into their body, stating the city could be sued if people suffer health issues.
City councillors held a roughly 15-minute off-camera meeting to understand any potential legal implications of the decision.
Bachynski said he respects people’s opinions and concerns, but trusts the judgment of health experts.
The last time Regina implemented fluoride in its drinking water was in 1905. During the 1900s, four referendums were held to vote on adding fluoride, all rejected by the public.
The implementation of fluoride in Regina’s water will occur in 2026.
