SASKATOON — There were fewer fireworks and no fiery exchanges in the mayoral forum on Wednesday night, Oct. 16, at the Confederation Mall, as the three candidates almost agreed on the issues the city needs to address. However, Don Atchison criticized Ward 6 Coun. Cynthia Block for skipping the debate.
The Saskatoon West Business Association organized the debate, during which all five candidates confirmed their participation in laying out their plans to address the issues the city would face if they were elected to replace outgoing Mayor Charlie Clark. Block and Cary Tarasoff chose to skip the debate/forum.
Block, through her campaign manager Rebecca Cormack, told Â鶹´«Ã½AV that her priorities, as can be seen on , are making Saskatoon a livable, walkable and safer city, ensuring that everything is affordable, strengthening the economy, fostering reconciliation and inclusion, and creating a Mayor’s Task Force on Homelessness and Community Safety.
“I care deeply about every corner of this city and know that residents and businesses in Fairhaven and the Confederation Suburban Centre deserve a better way forward, and I am committed to that… Our team plans to connect with businesses and residents in the area, and I will proceed in that direction,” Block said.
She did not address why she skipped the SWBA forum. She attended the non-profit group The People Bridge Advocacy Inc. last Wednesday, Oct. 9.
SWBA administrator Brooke Lang said they were satisfied with the turnout of nearly 100 residents who listened to the three candidates and decided to continue with the forum despite Block and Tarasoff opting not to attend.
Atchison and Gordon Wyant used to work in the city council, with the former serving as mayor and the latter as councillor for Ward 5 before moving to the provincial legislature representing Saskatoon Northwest in 2010.
Wyant was the first to make his opening statement, in which he said that experienced leadership would deliver the priorities that residents expect the city council to work on. He added that he is campaigning for safe streets, smart spending and accountability.
“I bring a strong, focused leadership that will deliver on the priorities people expect their council to work on. I think the majority of the city council has lost its way. They're not focused on funding the services that we need as communities. I'll put the needs before wants,” said Wyant.
“We need sustainable planning and the oversight to get Saskatoon back on track. We'll enhance emergency services while investing in community safety solutions to ensure every neighbourhood feels safe, and we'll fund that by finding efficiencies within our current budget.”
Mike Harder is new to politics and wants to help residents avoid increasing their property taxes to double digits. He wants what is best for everyone equally, adding that in the last 15 months, he thoroughly reviewed the city’s financial statements from 2022 to 2023.
“I've looked at the city's finances, and the most significant source of contention is that the federal and provincial government is siphoning off the city's finances. For example, last year, in 2023, the city of Saskatoon paid out $311 million in taxation to both the federal and provincial governments, and that's why your property taxes keep going up. We need to keep our money here, and then we'll be able to do much more,” said Harder.
“Currently, the system of increasing your property taxes by four or six per cent every year, it's unsustainable, and it's not going to be long before the city's going to be forced to deal with double-digit property tax increases like Toronto did this year with 16 per cent. Edmonton's looking at 13 per cent next year, and it's just a matter of time before it happens here. I think we can do better. We need to keep our money here, and I'm for a new deal.”
Atchison, trying to return to city hall after serving 13 years as mayor from 2003 to 2016, said he could be the most pro-West side mayor in Saskatoon’s history. The city's west end has a special place in his heart, and he worked hard to support its economic growth.
“I've worked alongside people like Miles Height and Moe Knoll to help make the West End thrive, and it pains me to see how the recent city decisions have neglected and harmed these neighbourhoods. I look at Hampton Village right now, Kensington, Blairmore, and Shaw Center, with two new high schools that had not been built in over four decades, and how the administration was quite adamant that they didn't want this to happen. When we were going ahead with Hampton Village, they told me that I would be held personally liable for all the losses that would occur from that development,” said Atchison in his opening statement.
“I said, we're going to go ahead, and I don't think we'll lose any money. I want you to know we never did. I've known Gordon Wyant for a long time and have a great deal of respect for him. He's been a strong advocate for Saskatoon as an MLA. While we may agree on many issues, I want to clarify that I bring a deep, up-to-date understanding of Saskatoon's challenges, and I'm ready to hit the ground running on day one,” he added.
Atchison then criticized Block for not attending the Wednesday mayoral forum, saying it speaks volumes about her disregard for the city's West End.
“This event is a crucial opportunity to hear from candidates about the issues that matter most to you, and her decision not to show up is just the latest example of neglect,” he said.
During the rapid round, where the three candidates were asked questions to be answered only by 'yes' or 'no', they all answered 'no' in supporting the Downtown Event and Entertainment District if ever elected, which drew cheers and applause from the audience. They also answered 'no' to having additional bike lanes that would benefit the city’s transportation system.
They again answered 'no' when asked if the city’s use of zoning bylaws to aid in the placement of shelters and if safe consumption sites solve addiction problems. They answered 'yes' when asked if they would implement tax relief measures for property owners in the Westside and support the increase of police presence in the community.
