April 12, 2024 | Advertise with us

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Saskatoon councillor not running again

Saskatoon Ward 8 City Councillor Sarina Gersher will not be seeking re-election this November.

After first being elected in 2016, Gersher told the Saskatoon StarPhoenix, “Overall I feel like I’ve been able to dedicate 100 per cent of myself to this role over the last eight years, and I think it’s important, and this role deserves that level of commitment.” Gersher on Thursday said she is most proud of progress made on reconciliation and inclusion, planning for the city’s growth with items including new transit corridors and balancing infill with new developments, and furthering the Bus Rapid Transit system.

Saskatoon City Council will look very different after the next municipal election as Mayor Charlie Clark and Ward 3 Councillor David Kirton already announced they will not be seeking another term. Ward 8 is made up of Briarwood, Brighton, East College Park and other nearby neighbourhoods.

The official campaign period for the Saskatoon municipal election begins June 1.

(Saskatoon StarPhoenix)

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Tension at Regina, Saskatoon City Halls

Tensions flared at Regina City Hall Wednesday night for what was a packed agenda. Twelve delegations registered to speak on the topic of the Housing Accelerator Fund, most in opposition to housing bylaw changes. In the end, Council approved the changes that would see an additional 1,100 permit approvals by 2026, which would unlock $35M from the federal government.

The Council also debated an amendment that would allow private capital to fundraise for an outdoor waterslide wheelchair elevator. Councillor Nelson went viral on TikTok over this issue a few months ago.

There was also an emotional meeting at Saskatoon City Hall this week when the council discussed the controversial Fairhaven Shelter. Saskatoon council candidate Rob Pearce spoke against the shelter at the meeting, saying the neighbourhood crime is underreported because it is “futile” to do so. Tribal Chief Mark Arcand fired back saying, “It's 2024. This is a pastor. He's gotta learn to open up his heart and his house, which is the church, and help homeless people.”

No doubt tensions will continue to build ahead of November’s municipal elections in both major cities.

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Sask. Party nominates candidate in Dakota-Arm River

Barret Kropf has won a contested nomination and will be the Saskatchewan Party candidate for Dakota-Arm River. Kropf is a well-known hockey coach and small business owner. He is also a Chaplain, notably the Riders Chaplain from 2007-2013.

Dakota-Arm River (currently Arm River) is held by Sask. Party MLA Dana Skoropad. Skoropad recently announced he would not be seeking a second term, leaving the nomination race wide open. The new provincial boundary for this riding is the communities along Highway 11 from Regina to Saskatoon and includes Davidson. The redistribution gives quite a bit of rural constituents to bordering ridings while gaining the “rural” portion of Saskatoon Stonebridge-Dakota.

Kropf is the 46th candidate nominated by the Saskatchewan Party ahead of the provincial election scheduled for October 28.

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More news and info

• Politicians in the Wild: Beck hosts Regina Townhall flanked by MLAs and advisor Ron Styles

• Conservatives open up their largest lead yet (Abacus Data)

• Federal government used AI in hundreds of initiatives, new research database shows (Canadian Press)

• What issue matters to you most in upcoming election? (CBC News)

• Education minister sends letter to school boards asking for support (Saskatoon StarPhoenix)

2024 Election Candidate Tracker