Regina council to hear from dozens of delegates on fluoride in drinking water

Almost 30 delegates are registered to speak at a special meeting Friday as Regina City Council reconsiders a past decision to add fluoride to the city’s water.

The motion was brought forward by Ward 10 Coun. Clark Bezo, who said he was motivated to do so by community safety concerns raised during his election campaign.

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“Community safety involves various things, everything from drugs on the streets right now to engineered solutions for traffic and safe drinking water,” Bezo told 980 CJME in March.

“During the campaign I heard a lot of conversation at the door around fluoride, and was asked if I could stop the use of fluoride.”

Regina is scheduled to start adding fluoride to its water in 2026 once upgrades to the Buffalo Pound Water Treatment Plant are finished.

Bezo said he received information saying fluoride is a neurotoxin which can lower IQ scores in children, citing a Health Canada expert panel.

The panel said that there is a “growing” body of evidence that would suggest fluoride in drinking water might be associated with “reduced IQ scores in children at fluoride levels that may be found in Canadian drinking water.” However, the same panel also agreed that there isn’t a “sufficient basis at this time to recommend a specific point of departure and health-based value for neurocognitive effects.”

Fluoridation is supported by the College of Dental Surgeons of Saskatchewan, as well as the Canadian Dental Association.

“Community water fluoridation is especially important in reducing (tooth) decay rates in vulnerable populations, such as underprivileged children and seniors, that may not have regular access to dental care,” the college told 980 CJME.

“Based on a history of available evidence, community water fluoridation is safe, effective and economical.”

Bezo’s motion calls for the postponement of the fluoridation of Regina’s water “until there is conclusive evidence there are no significant neurotoxic effects or other bodily harms and therefore, this proactive step will safeguard the health of our community and particularly that of our children.”

Fluoridated water has been a polarizing issue of the years. The City of Regina has previously held four referendums on the matter, in 1954, 1958, 1965 and 1985.

Recently, Ward 5 Councillor Sarah Turnbull cancelled a town hall about the issue due to what she claimed were safety concerns.

On Thursday’s Greg Morgan Morning Show, Mayor Chad Bachynski said it is council’s job to hear from all delegates in order to ensure there are no foregone conclusions.

“You have a number of delegations – both residents and the medical community (like) the SHA, the dental community, so we’ll listen to everybody,” Bachynski said.

“We’ll look and see if there’s something that’s changed or would warrant a change in position, and we’ll decide from there.”

Fluoridated water in Calgary

The City of Calgary first had its water fluoridated in 1991 after a plebiscite. The Alberta city continued to add fluoride to its water until 2011, when its city council directed administration to stop the practice.

A decade later, and the city decided to adopt it again after another plebiscite and council decision.

“According to Alberta Health Services, research consistently shows that communities with water fluoridation at the recommended levels have better oral health than communities with low water fluoride levels, and that the greatest positive impact is observed among populations vulnerable for poor oral health outcomes,” the City of Calgary’s Water Services Team wrote in an emailed statement.

“Community water fluoridation reduces the need for dental treatment by preventing tooth decay. This saves families and the healthcare system money. Research has reported that every $1 spent on community water fluoridation can save on average up to $93 per person in dental treatment costs. Adjusting fluoride in public drinking water is a simple, low-cost way to prevent tooth decay for everyone.”

The City of Calgary also said the removal of fluoride in city water had negative impact on children’s oral health within three years.

“After Calgary stopped fluoridating water in 2011, researchers at the University of Calgary conducted a study on tooth decay from a large sample of children in Calgary and Edmonton, where fluoridation started in 1967 and remains to date,” the city said.

“The research confirmed the removal of fluoride from drinking water had a negative impact on children’s oral health, where a significantly higher number of cavities were found amongst Calgary children compared to Edmonton children.”

The reintroduction of fluoride to Calgary’s water is expected to happen in the second quarter of 2025.

Regina city council’s special meeting is scheduled for 9 a.m. on Friday.