SASKATOON — Former Ward 6 Councillor Cynthia Block made history on Wednesday, Nov. 13, after becoming the city’s first mayor-elect. Elections Saskatoon Officer Shellie Bryant will declare the official results on Thursday, Nov. 14.
Block garnered 30,412 votes in a five-way race, which included former MLA Gordon Wyant and four-term mayor Don Atchison. Cary Tarasoff and Mike Harder were the other candidates. She beat Wyant by 10,153 votes after all 82 polls reported the results at 12:56 a.m. on Thursday.
Wyant had 20,259 votes, and Atchison was a distant third with 10,460, followed by Tarasoff’s 6,386 and the 568 of Harder.
Speaking to reporters waiting for the results at City Hall, Block said she is honoured to be elected and will serve as Saskatoon’s first female mayor.
“I think representation matters. I want every woman and girl to know that they can lead. And that means in all leadership roles and all houses of leadership. Ultimately, I think that what connected most with residents in this campaign had to do with the vision of our city. 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,” said Block.
“I think for all the reasons that people think this election might matter more, the biggest one is that the vision was connected with the residents. This isn't my victory; this is Saskatoon's victory. Saskatoon has chosen a city for all people. They want a 21st-century modern town that's moving forward, not backward. A city that is increasingly representative of places around the world.”
Bev Dubois (Ward 9) and Zach Jeffries (Ward 10) will return to the City Council after winning by acclamation, with Troy Davis (Ward 4) and Randy Donauer (Ward 5) expected to join them as they won by a wide margin. Jasmin Parker will be the new Ward 6 councillor.
Darren Hill failed in his re-election bid in Ward 1, finishing third with 1,453 votes behind winner Kathryn MacDonald (1,808) and Kevin Boychuk (1,756). Senos Timon (Ward 2), Robert Pearce (Ward 3), Holly Kelleher (Ward 7) and Scott Ford (Ward 8) complete the 10-member Council.
The seven at-large Catholic School Board Trustee members are Diane Boyko, Owen Fortosky, J.R. Boechler, Sharon Zakreski-Werbicki, Tim Jelinski, Kate Day, and Michelle Christopher.
Tanya Napper (Ward 1), Jennifer Scherman (Ward 5), Kirk Jones (Ward 6), Anne-Marie Rollo (Ward 8), and Kevin Schmidt (Ward 9) won their respective races for the Public Schools Trustee. Vernon Linklater (Ward 2), Donna Banks (Ward 3), Kim Stranden (Ward 4), Ross Tait (Ward 7), and Angela Arneson (Ward 10) won by acclamation.
