Saskatoon mayoral candidate Gordon Wyant has announced that if elected, he will introduce free Saturday parking at all city meters and he will remove the recent fee increases on handicap parking permits. This fall, the City of Saskatoon announced a fee increase for an accessible parking permit, because it hasn’t changed since 1981 when it was raised to $20. On October 1st it was raised to $60 a year, followed by a second rise to $100 a year next October. This is an optional program which allows users with a valid SaskAbilities placard to park for free in paid parking areas.

Wyant says these two initiatives will help to make downtown more welcoming and accessible. Free Saturday parking, he suggests, is a simple way to encourage residents to come downtown and support local shops. Wyant says these two initiatives complement his broader strategy to revitalize Saskatoon’s downtown.

His strategy includes having police precincts and strengthened community safety plans for downtown and Fairhaven until the Wellness Centre is moved. Wyant would also prioritize local businesses for city contracts to keep taxpayer dollars in Saskatoon.