For the first time in history, Saskatoon has elected a female mayor. Former Ward 6 City Councillor Cynthia Block threw her hat in the ring, and came out successful with 30,412 votes, over 10 thousand more than runner-up Gordon Wyant. “I could not be more proud and grateful for a city that has chosen hope. A city that has chosen a vision that means we have an opportunity to thrive for all of us.”
She attributed much of her success to her team. “I will have to say a shoutout to a pretty strong group of women that helped lead many aspects of this campaign. I’m really proud of that. I think they showed up in ways that I could have never imagined, and I think that’s made a really big difference in this election.” She adds that with their vote, the people of Saskatoon have chosen a modern, 21st century city that is moving forward instead of backward.
She says her first order of business as mayor will be to address the city’s homelessness crisis. She hopes to create a taskforce comprised of residents, business, and non-profit organizations. “If they’re going to be somewhere in our city, which they have to be, how can we ensure that those who are unhoused are safe, and also their neighbours? I think those are the pieces that residents and businesses can do a really good job of if we’re doing it together.”
Although Block acknowledged Saskatoon’s challenges, such as homelessness and crime, she also marveled at the city’s current successes and future potential.
Alongside Block, six new faces will be joining Saskatoon’s City Council following last night’s civic election. One of the newbies, Jasmin Parker of Ward 6, received 3456 votes, nearly double the votes of runner up Johnathan Naylor. She attributes the win to her ‘future focused’ messaging. “It was very positive, it was very optimistic, and I think people saw that and people saw someone who genuinely is ready and interested in working for the community.”
Parker says she is ready to focus on homelessness, affordability and housing… three issues she believes are heavily correlated. “I’m also a bit of a younger candidate, so I’ve experienced some of these issues of housing and affordability.”
Parker has been the president of the Nutana Community Association for the last four years, and for work, she is a project manager at an environmental consulting firm. “I hope to bring the experience I have certainly knowing a little bit about how civic government works. I also hope to bring a really genuine interest in people.”
The other five new councillors include Katheryn MacDonald in Ward 1, Senos Timon in Ward 2, Robert Pearce in Ward 3, Holly Kelleher in Ward 7, and Scott Ford in Ward 8.
