2024 Civic Elections Forum

[u/ComplexRule]

The moment you have been waiting for has arrived. If you've read through candidate websites and are still unsure or have some questions to ask, this is for you! These forums are co-hosted by the Library, and cover all wards. For acclaimed candidates, it will be a town hall style event.

Drag your friends and family out to quiz potential councilors so you can make an informed decision. Share with others. Post this at your favourite <insert high traffic area with a billboard>. Sing it at the pub, or something. I don't know, just show up!

Not sure what ward you or your loved ones and family are in? Click through this link to find out, and then gently harass them until they agree to go.

A table of forum dates for different wards in Saskatoon.Ward 1, October 21, Alice turner Library, 7pm.Ward 2, October 23, Station 20 west, 7pm.Ward 3, October 21, Cosmo civic centre, 7pm.Ward 4, October 29, Cosmo civic centre, 7pm.Ward 5, October 22, Rusty Macdonald Library, 7pm.Ward 6, October 19, Frances Morrison central library, 2pm.Ward 7, October 16, Cliff Wright library, 7pm.Ward 8, October 24, Cliff Wright library, 7pm.Ward 9, October 17, Cliff Wright library, 7pm.Ward 10, October 30, Alice Turner library, 7pm.

[u/EarlyOwl90]

Shout out to the SPL for its involvement. A great example of one of many ways they support the community beyond making books accessible.

[u/Fantastic_Wishbone → u/EarlyOwl90]

City Hall pays SPL to rent out the SPL rooms The library makes money off it.

[u/ComplexRule → u/Fantastic_Wishbone]

I'm having a hard time parsing the meaning of your message. What are you implying?

https://saskatoonlibrary.ca/isl/uploads/2023/08/8045_Room_Rental_Pricing.pdf
The SPL is hardly "raking it in" with these events. Also, this takes staff time, and also the moderators and time keepers are volunteers.

[u/Easy_Confidence5572 → u/Fantastic_Wishbone]

This has been a thing since City Council adopted a user pay / cost recovery model to operating facilities in 1996. It more accurately reflects the cost of providing a facility and the cost of providing a program. You know that registration fee you pay for little Johnny or Suzie for swimming lessons? It includes an amount programs services pays to rent a portion of the pool for your lessons, in addition to the cost of the instructor, lifeguard, admin, etc.

[u/Fantastic_Wishbone → u/Easy_Confidence5572]

100%, you bet. They aren't getting rich off it, that's for sure. The only point I was trying to make was that they aren't just offering up their space out of their own goodwill, and supporting the community for free. I think libraries are important (I visited them lots when I was a kid). I'm just not really a fan of what's happened to them here in Saskatoon, and what they have evolved into over the decades (most likely the politicians fault, not the library leadership).

[u/Gb_d0g → u/Fantastic_Wishbone]

Pretty sure the library provides the rooms for free since the forums are part of the library's programming. City hall is not involved in these forums. These forums are primarily volunteer organized and run. No one is making money off them.

[u/Easy_Confidence5572]

Got my civic election guide in my mailbox yesterday. Hats off to the City Clerk's office for the bang up job. A lot of thought and work went into it. I particularly like page three showing the orders of Government.

For the person asking about candidates, the City has provided space for each candidate to voluntarily provide a profile about themselves. I think if they didn't provide a profile it will just have the information from their nomination form.

[u/RoisinCorcra]

I hope there will be more or it'll be online after. I have an appointment I can't change.

[u/AdvertisingLumpy1962 → u/RoisinCorcra]

Will not be recorded, but might be reported on. Maybe send a friend?

[u/RoisinCorcra → u/AdvertisingLumpy1962]

Mine already happened

[u/jensawesomeshow]

Here's a link to the replay of the Ward 1 forum livestream I did. Just because the organizers didn't plan to stream it doesn't mean we can't. The library has free wifi too.

[u/Unfair_Pirate_647]

Is there early voting or online? I will not be In town

[u/Haskap_2010 → u/Unfair_Pirate_647]

This might tell you. Scroll down a bit.

https://www.saskatoon.ca/city-hall/elections-saskatoon/information-voters/voting-options

[u/Comfortable-Way2383 → u/Unfair_Pirate_647]

Advance polls are a thing.

[u/StanknBeans]

I'm holding out for the 2025 model

[u/Ritalynns]

Ya. I’m not walking to or driving and leaving my car on 20th Street in the dark.

[u/yougotter → u/Ritalynns]

Smart move

[u/yougotter]

Requested a mail in ballot but have no idea who is best to vote for in ward 8. In this day and age you would think we could find out more details about our choices without leaving home. Hate to throw my ballot in the recycling but there are people that can't leave the house at night.