While other meetings touched on indigenous issues, Wednesday’s Saskatoon mayoral forum hosted by the Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations (FSIN) focused solely on indigenous matters.
Members of the public asked for the candidates’ policies and plans, like improving inequities among indigenous youth, including homelessness.
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“Good, clean attainable housing is so important,” Don Atchison said, adding that better education will lead to be better jobs.
Kelley Moore said the city needs to share decision-making responsibilities with other groups.
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“We’re going to continue on a housing first strategy. We’re going to continue on integrated services in school. We’re going to make sure that we have opportunities for employment,” Moore said.
Charlie Clark emphasized the need for the mayor to show leadership and build partnerships.
When the controversial issue of police carding came up, Devon Hein, Clark and Moore voiced their opposition to them.
“I think that street checks are one of the items that police services need to be able to have as a useful tool – not racial profiling,” Atchison said.
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The potential for an anti-bullying bylaw, which was discussed at council in March, was brought up.
Atchison and Clark both stated that because the city’s school boards weren’t interested, a bylaw may not work. They both stated that bullying is an issue in Saskatoon.
“Whether it’s a bylaw, or it’s having more programs in the school, or it’s having more support, we need to make sure that we’re having the conversation,” Moore said.
Election day is Oct. 26.
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