Cynthia Block announces mayoral run in Saskatoon

A second candidate has joined the mayor race in Saskatoon.

Cynthia Block, who has represented Ward 6 for the past eight years, announced her candidacy on Monday at an event in the city’s downtown core. Saskatoon’s civic election is set for November 13.

Block joins Cary Tarasoff in the race to replace two-term mayor Charlie Clark, who announced in January that he won’t run again.

“I have spent the past eight years on City Council, and it would be the great honour of my life to serve as your Mayor,” Block said in a statement.

“I will work with you and for you to make Saskatoon affordable, safe, and sustainable, with a clear vision for the future.”

Before her time on council, Block worked in journalism and at the head of her own communications company. She also has extensive experience as a volunteer.

Block said her priorities as mayor would include building roads and active transportation, addressing issues around housing and homelessness, modernizing the city through transit, green infrastructure, energy efficiency and new technology, revitalizing Saskatoon’s downtown core, and acting on reconciliation and inclusion.

While her full platform has not yet been unveiled, Block pledged that if she’s elected, she would create a task force on homelessness to develop “a made-in-Saskatoon approach.”

Meanwhile, another candidate might be preparing to join the race as well. Gordon Wyant, a long-time provincial MLA and cabinet minister, has hinted at his own candidacy for mayor, and has an event scheduled for Monday afternoon.

–with files from 650 CKOM’s Mia Holowaychuk