Discussing election dates was front and center at Monday’s Governance and Priorities Committee as there’s conflict between the current dates of the 2020 municipal election and the 2020 provincial election. That’s because the municipal election is scheduled for October 28th, 2020 while just five days later is the provincial election set for November 2nd, 2020. The Chief Electoral Officer, Mr. Michael Boda has recommended that the provincial election be moved to 2021. Administration in their report said they don’t oppose a delay in the municipal election although additional work in a couple of key areas may be required in regards to a multi-year budget and the four year priorities of the strategic plan. Mayor Charlie Clark prefers the idea of having the provincial election moved to 2021 rather than moving the municipal election. No time frame has been set as to when a decision will be made. Administration was asked by the Ministry of Government Relations to discuss the topic prior to August 24th. Election dates are legislated and as it stands now, municipal election day in Saskatchewan is statutorily scheduled for October 28, 2020. Saskatchewan’s provincial election is legislated to occur on November 2, 2020 just five days later. Ultimately the province’s legislators will determine which election gets moved.

In regards to council being able to host an emergency meeting during an election period, Councillor Hilary Gough made a referral motion that administration report back to authorize a member from administration to call an emergency meeting during an election period rather than a member of council or a mayoral candidate.  And committee voted in favour of receiving the report on the updated strategic plan as information.