Saskatchewan heads to the polls for municipal elections

Saskatchewan is holding another election today, with residents across the province casting ballots for mayors, reeves, councillors, and school board trustees.

In Saskatoon, polls will be open from 8 a.m. CST to 8 p.m. CST, while in Regina, polling hours are from 9 a.m. CST to 8 p.m. CST.

In Regina, the focus of the civic election has been on municipal spending and plans to replace aging civic infrastructure, such as the Lawson Pool and the central branch of the Regina Public Library. The mayoral race in Regina is highly competitive, with 11 candidates, including incumbent Mayor Sandra Masters, councillor Lori Bresciani, non-profit executive Bill Pratt, and mechanical engineer Chad Bachynski. Additionally, there will be significant turnover at city council, as six councillors have opted not to seek re-election, guaranteeing at least six new members at Henry Baker Hall. A total of 53 candidates are vying for 10 council positions.

In Saskatoon, the municipal election has centered around community safety and revitalizing the downtown area. The city's rising homelessness issues and the location of a shelter in the Fairhaven neighbourhood have sparked debate. With incumbent Mayor Charlie Clark not seeking re-election, voters in Saskatoon have five mayoral candidates to choose from: Don Atchison, Cynthia Block, Mike Harder, Cary Tarasoff, and Gordon Wyant. In total, 45 candidates are running for 11 city council seats.

Both cities are hoping for a higher voter turnout than in previous elections. Regina's turnout has not exceeded 50 percent in a general municipal election since 1988, with just 20 percent in 2016 and 21 percent in 2020. Saskatoon had a better turnout, with 40 percent in 2016, though it dropped to 27 percent in 2020. Some experts believe that the timing of the election, following the provincial vote, may negatively affect turnout.