Acclamation, Contest, and Conflict: Saskatchewan Municipal Vote, So Far.

On November 13th, voters across Saskatchewan will be heading to the polls to elect new municipal councils, shaping the leadership of their towns and cities for the next several years.

As the "Province of Living Skies" gears up for another municipal election season, this round of municipal elections promises a mix of continuity and change, with several incumbents seeking re-election, new faces entering the political scene, and some mayors stepping down.

The nomination period officially closed on Wednesday, October 9th, at 4:00 PM, marking the start of the municipal election cycle in many of the 454 urban municipalities in the province. However, not all candidates have been publicly disclosed, with some municipalities choosing to possibly wait until after the deadline for withdrawal on October 10th before making the full list of candidates available to the public.

As the dust settles on the nomination process, some clear themes have emerged. Several municipalities have seen incumbents acclaimed to their positions without contest, while others are bracing for high levels of turnover. In other areas, political battles are brewing, with incumbents facing challengers—including, in some cases, their colleagues. The upcoming elections offer a snapshot of the shifting political landscape across Saskatchewan, with urban voters set to determine the future of their local governments.

In Lloydminster, Gerald Aalbers will serve as mayor for a third consecutive term, having been acclaimed to the position without opposition. Aalbers, who was first elected in 2016, has been a steady presence in the border city, and his acclamation reflects broad support from the community. While Aalbers has secured his seat, the race for Lloydminster’s six council positions is far from over, with 14 candidates vying for a spot. Among those seeking re-election are incumbent councillors Jason Whiting, Michael Diachuk, and David Lopez, who will face competition from a slate of new contenders.

In Battleford, Mayor Ames Leslie has also been acclaimed to another term in office. As Leslie prepares to serve for another four years, the focus in Battleford turns to the council race, where nine candidates are competing for positions. With incumbent councillor Alexis Christensen not running for re-election, at least one new face is guaranteed to join the council.

Meanwhile, over in North Battleford, the political landscape is undergoing a significant shift. One-term mayor David Gillan is stepping down, and three candidates have thrown their hats into the ring to replace him. Councillor Kelli Hawtin, is squaring off against Terry Caldwell, and Wayne Baptiste. Alongside the mayoral race, 13 candidates are running for the six council positions, ensuring that this election will bring both continuity and new voices to the table.

In several smaller towns across Saskatchewan, mayoral races have been decided before voters even have the chance to cast their ballots, with candidates acclaimed to their positions. In Kipling, Patricia Jackson will serve as mayor after being acclaimed without contest, while in Lumsden, current councillor Verne Barber will step into the mayor’s office, replacing outgoing mayor Bryan Matheson.

Similarly, Naicam’s mayoral race will see Rodger Hayward return for another term, having also been acclaimed to the position. Hayward had originally decided to call it a career this year.

In Yorkton, incumbent mayor Mitch Hippsley faces a direct challenge from Aaron Kienle, marking one of the more contested mayoral races in the province. Kienle’s candidacy is rooted in a belief that democracy thrives on choice, and he has positioned himself as an alternative to Hippsley’s leadership.

The situation in Humboldt is equally competitive, with three candidates— Councillor Rob Muench, faces Bentley Harlet, and Andrew Breker—running to replace outgoing mayor Michael Behiel.

In Estevan, two incumbent councillors, Tony Sernick and Rebecca Foord, are battling it out to replace outgoing mayor Roy Ludwig. Alongside Sernick and Foord, Zaccharius Wade Vandenhurk is also in the running, creating a three-way contest for the top position in the city.

Moose Jaw is witnessing one of the more crowded mayoral races this election cycle, with incumbent mayor Clive Tolley facing four challengers, including two sitting councillors. Kim Robinson and Crystal Froese, both of whom currently serve on Moose Jaw’s council, are challenging Tolley for the mayor’s chair, alongside candidates James Murdock and Mike Simpkins. The presence of multiple candidates from within the current council highlights the internal dynamics at play in Moose Jaw’s local government, and voters will have the opportunity to decide which candidate is best equipped to lead the city into the future.

In Martensville, incumbent mayor Kent Muench will be seeking re-election, but he faces a challenge from Travis Sorenson, signalling a competitive race for the mayoral position. With only two incumbent councillors—Darren MacDonald and Spencer Nikkel—seeking re-election, Martensville’s council is also set for significant turnover, with several new faces joining the council in the next term.

In Saskatchewan’s two largest cities, Regina and Saskatoon, the municipal elections are shaping up to be among the most closely watched contests in the province. In Regina, incumbent mayor Sandra Masters is seeking re-election, but she faces competition from 10 other candidates, signalling a lively and competitive race. Masters, who made history as Regina’s first female mayor in 2020, will need to defend her record and vision for the city amidst a field of challengers eager to present alternative paths forward.

Saskatoon, on the other hand, is preparing for significant leadership changes as Mayor Charlie Clark steps down after serving three terms. Five candidates are in the race to replace Clark, including former mayor Don Atchison, current Ward 6 councillor Cynthia Block, and former Saskatchewan Party MLA Gordon Wyant. Cary Tarasoff and Mike Harde round out the list of candidates, ensuring a diverse field of contenders with varied backgrounds and priorities.

Adding to the political intrigue in Saskatoon are several notable acclamations, including Bev Duboi in Ward 9 and Zach Jeffries in Ward 10, both of whom will return to the city’s council without contest. While these wards have seen unopposed races, the broader council races in Saskatoon are expected to be competitive, with candidates offering different perspectives on the key issues facing the city, including housing, infrastructure, and public services.

In Prince Albert, incumbent mayor Greg Dionne is seeking another term in office, but he faces challenges from Bill Powalinsky and Brittany Marie Smith. Dionne’s leadership has been a key factor in Prince Albert’s recent political landscape, but the presence of two challengers suggests that some residents are ready to explore alternative options for the city’s future.

The council races in Prince Albert also feature a mix of acclamations and competition, with three incumbents—Blake Edwards in Ward 6, Tony Head in Ward 3, and Darren Solomon in Ward 8—set to return to office unopposed.

The 2024 municipal elections in Saskatchewan are shaping up to be a defining moment for the province’s urban centres. With a mix of acclamations, competitive races, and leadership changes on the horizon, these elections offer residents the chance to weigh in on the future of their communities. For some, this will mean voting for continuity and stability, while for others, it will represent an opportunity to push for change and new approaches to governance.

With the nomination period now closed, the race is officially on. In the weeks leading up to November 13th, candidates will be making their case to voters, outlining their vision for the future and their plans for addressing the pressing issues facing their communities. From acclamations to contested races, the 2024 municipal elections promise to be a pivotal moment for Saskatchewan’s urban municipalities.

With about 450 urban municipalities across the province, the full picture of candidates is still unfolding. fortunately, the Cross Border Network has committed to providing a full breakdown of the municipalities and candidates as soon as the information is publicly available.