Saskatchewan’s municipal elections were scheduled to take place on November 9, 2020, just two weeks after a provincial election. And while the combination of concurrent campaigns, the COVID-19 pandemic and severe weather produced a highly unusual campaign period, the results varied radically between communities.
Saskatchewan’s municipal elections were scheduled to take place on November 9, 2020, just two weeks after a provincial election. And while the combination of concurrent campaigns, the COVID-19 pandemic and severe weather produced a highly unusual campaign period, the results varied radically between communities.
Regina’s election saw significant turnover among the city’s elected officials.
Two-term incumbent mayor Michael Fougere was defeated by Richardson Pioneer manager and former Chair of the Regina Exhibition Association Sandra Masters, who became the first woman elected to the position.
Five new City Councillors were also elected, including three who defeated incumbents (Cheryl Stadnichuk over Barbara Young in Ward 1, Dan LeBlanc over Joel Murray in Ward 6, and Terina Shaw over Sharron Bryce in Ward 7), and four who received the endorsement of the Regina and District Labour Council (Stadnichuk, LeBlanc, Shanon Zachidniak in Ward 8, and Landon Mohl in Ward 10).
Regina’s public school board elections saw a previous vote on support for Pride events turn into a key driver of change. Former Chair Katherine Gagne mounted an unsuccessful run for Council in Ward 9, while incumbent members Tanya Foster and Jay Kasperski were defeated by challengers Sarah Cummings Truszowski and Lacey Weekes respectively.
Finally, while the Regina Catholic School Division saw all three of its incumbents re-elected, a large number of departures will also leave it with more new members than returnees.
Saskatoon’s planned election day was truncated then delayed due to a massive snow storm, resulting in an additional day of voting on November 13th. But its change in process had little apparent impact on the outcome.
Charlie Clark was resoundingly re-elected as mayor, with a vote total exceeding those of former Saskatchewan Party cabinet minister Rob Norris (who focused his campaign on opposition to a plan for a new downtown library) and Clark’s predecessor Don Atchison combined.
All nine Saskatoon Council incumbents who sought re-election were successful, making radio host David Kirton the lone new Councillor. And experienced majorities on both the Public and Catholic School Boards were elected or acclaimed, with only one incumbent (Cameron Scott in Ward 4) losing a seat.
Other noteworthy results around Saskatchewan included:
By Greg Fingas
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