Responses to the LiveableYXE Survey Click on any question to see the responses from the candidates.
Gordon Wyant
I believe that an accessible city begins with a safe city and secure communities. To walk, bike or wait for a city bus safely should be a right, not a privilege. There needs to be a comprehensive review of community safety plans to ensure that all Saskatoon residents feel safe, whether they're biking in their neighborhood or strolling downtown.
Cities should invest in transportation infrastructure projects on an on-demand basis, including cycling infrastructure and active transportation networks. It is important to balance the needs of all commuters, ensuring that any new transportation infrastructure is safe, affordable, attractive, and accessible and promotes both economic and community well-being.
Our transit system is being improved with Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) funding, but we still have routes where both passengers and drivers are at risk, and some routes result in 1.5-hour commutes. This is unacceptable; these essential services should be our priority, yet they haven't been prioritized by the current council.
I would also like to establish regular meetings with community associations and city groups to create a dialogue to understand and support the vision for a better Saskatoon. Engaging the community that utilizes these important green spaces will help understand its needs. This will foster a shared understanding between community members and the council.
Gordon Wyant
To ensure Saskatoon has environmentally and economically sustainable housing, we need strong collaboration between the city, province, and federal government. The Saskatoon & Region Home Builders' Association has already done great work on energy-efficient building standards, but the provincial government needs to step up.
Our campaign will focus on reusing abandoned housing stock—homes taken over for unpaid taxes or owned by the province. By working with Saskatchewan Polytech and SIIT, as well as industry, we can renovate these homes, create safe, affordable housing, and train more skilled workers for the trades.
This is about practical solutions that benefit everyone. We just need the right support to make it happen.
Gordon Wyant
Given that the most recent progress on Saskatoon's Low Emissions Community Plan (LEC Plan) comes from a YouTube video and not a formal report, it’s clear we need more transparency and updated documentation. While climate action is supported by 89% of residents, taxpayers deserve to know how efficiently their money is being spent. The presentation outlines several projects in energy efficiency, transportation, and waste reduction, but there's a clear gap—funded projects will only achieve 23% of the 2025 emissions targets, leaving a 4% shortfall to be addressed.
While it's great to see initiatives like electric buses and solar energy feasibility studies, it's essential to question whether these measures are enough to justify their costs. The absence of complete reports on emissions from 2022 onwards raises concerns about accountability and the effectiveness of investments. My focus on budget efficiency means we need to ensure every dollar spent is yielding measurable progress.
I would call for a full report update, tracking every project's impact and ensuring that funds align with citizen and business needs. The goal should be finding efficiencies by leveraging provincial and federal partnerships and prioritizing projects with clear returns on investment. Additionally, we'd engage the community more actively, offering businesses and homeowners better incentives for adopting low-emission technologies.
Gordon Wyant
The Northeast Swale is a true gem in Saskatoon, a beautiful natural space full of biodiversity that enriches our community and is part of the greater Meewasin Valley. Any proposal to build a multi-lane freeway through such an ecologically rich area needs to be approached with caution. While I understand the need for infrastructure improvements to manage growing traffic, I believe we must explore smarter, more balanced solutions that address both urban growth and environmental protection.
The existing infrastructure, including bridges and roadways, already offers viable alternatives for moving traffic without damaging such a unique natural space. I would push for a thorough review of these options to see how we can enhance the current road network instead of carving through our natural assets. Protecting the Swales isn't just about conservation; it's about smart city planning that balances progress with sustainability.
I’ve always believed in transparency and public engagement when it comes to major city developments like this. It’s vital to involve the community in decisions that will impact our natural heritage for generations. By avoiding drastic changes without proper public consultation, we can ensure that we maintain trust and accountability at City Hall.
In short, while I’m all for improving our infrastructure, I think there’s a better way forward that respects both the needs of our city and the incredible biodiversity that makes Saskatoon special. Safe streets and smart spending should also mean responsible environmental stewardship.
Gordon Wyant
Saskatoon is a city built on the strength of its people, and my vision is to ensure that every resident feels valued, respected, and heard. As we "Renew, Build, and Grow Saskatoon," our focus will always be on making Saskatoon a city that works for everyone. This means creating safe, well-designed spaces, but it also means fostering a sense of belonging for all.
A leading city isn't just about its physical infrastructure; it's about the heart of its community—its people. In a city where Indigenous populations are growing, we must be intentional about supporting Indigenous procurement and empowering social enterprises that reflect our city’s rich diversity. Every person—regardless of gender, ethnicity, or background—deserves respect and recognition.
By focusing on Safe Streets and Smart Spending, we'll create not just a city that’s physically safe but emotionally welcoming, where diversity and inclusion aren't just buzzwords, but core values. My commitment is to measurable, citizen-centered outcomes that ensure every decision we make in City Hall translates into a better, more inclusive Saskatoon for all.
Together, we will build a city that respects its people and thrives on collaboration, innovation, and inclusion—one that is truly a leading choice to live, work, and grow.
Gordon Wyant
The Downtown Event & Entertainment District (DEED) is an exciting opportunity to revitalize the heart of Saskatoon, but we must approach it responsibly. As I’ve said before, downtown is the heart of our city, and I support the vision of DEED. However, this project must come with a solid financial plan that doesn’t unfairly burden taxpayers or negatively impact local businesses, like the hotels still recovering from the pandemic. We can’t afford to disrupt the Destination Marketing Fund, which is crucial for attracting visitors to our city.
Our approach to DEED would reflect the larger vision of my campaign: "Renew, Build, and Grow Saskatoon". This isn’t just a slogan, but a measurable, citizen-centered plan for a safer, smarter, and more accountable city. We’ll ensure that any investment into downtown aligns with our broader goals of safe streets and smart spending. We need transparency around the financial impacts and a commitment to avoid any unnecessary tax hikes.
More broadly, my administration will prioritize smart municipal spending by focusing on the core services residents rely on, like road maintenance, public safety, and transit. We’ll conduct an efficiency audit to cut wasteful spending, making sure every dollar spent has a clear return for the community. This approach will help local businesses thrive, keep taxes predictable, and allow us to invest in projects like DEED in a sustainable and responsible manner.
Let’s ensure that as we grow, we’re doing so in a way that respects Saskatoon’s people—creating a vibrant, modern downtown without overextending the city’s resources or leaving anyone behind.
Gordon Wyant
Now is the time for action on this important community challenge. We have talked about this for long enough. It requires a comprehensive, compassionate approach. In Saskatoon, we need to tackle both immediate needs and long-term solutions.
First, we must improve access to emergency shelters and mental health services. This can be done by working closely with social services, the province, and Indigenous organizations to ensure that people have access to safe spaces and the care they need without overwhelming residential neighborhoods. I have also said and remain committed to seeing the shelter in Fairhaven moved.
Long-term, one solution I’m focused on is redeveloping abandoned homes and converting them into affordable housing. By taking control of vacant properties and turning them into safe, livable spaces, we can help address housing shortages and bring vitality back to neglected areas. This not only helps those without homes but also strengthens communities by reducing crime and improving neighborhood stability.
Another key element is expanding partnerships with social enterprises and local organizations that specialize in helping vulnerable populations. We need to look at homelessness as a community challenge, one that requires cooperation across sectors—social services, law enforcement, health care, and housing—to ensure we’re getting people the help they need.
Addressing homelessness is about more than just providing shelter. It’s about creating pathways to stable housing, employment, and mental health support. Through a coordinated, compassionate approach, we can make real progress on this issue and build a Saskatoon that works for everyone.