Veteran Saskatoon City Councillor Tiffany Paulsen will focus more time on her family and not seek re-election this fall according to a surprise announcement she made at the beginning of Tuesday’s council meeting.
“I am sad about leaving,” said Paulsen, Ward 9’s representative, to reporters in council chambers after the meeting concluded.
“But right now, as I said, I have two very young children that I need to have more time in my schedule to be focused on them.”
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Paulsen was first elected in 2000 and held her seat over the next four civic elections. The announcement “caught us all off guard,” said Mayor Don Atchison, moments after Paulsen spoke during the meeting.
“When she stood up on a point of order, point of privilege, and said that she was going to be resigning, I couldn’t believe my ears at the time,” said Atchison to reporters after council adjourned.
“She’s done just such great work throughout her years on council.”
Over her 16 years as a councillor, Paulsen has served on almost all of the city’s committee’s and boards, according to her biography. She said her perspective had broadened over the years and leaves with no regrets.
“I always made decisions based on what I thought was best for the community and for no other purpose or reason,” said Paulsen, who was the youngest person ever elected to council when she took office in 2000.
“I’ve been fortunate to be able to meet and work with a lot of highly capable and competent people at my career at city hall.”
Paulsen said she would remain on council and fulfill all of her duties leading up to October’s election. She also expressed her hope that extra time would be allowed during the group’s last meeting in September for her to voice “more extensive comments and thank yous.”
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