Saskatoon’s mayoral and city council candidates will be allowed to spend a larger amount on their campaigns this year compared to in 2020 based on the growth of the city. In 2020, mayoral candidates were allowed to spend $229,497.92. City council candidates had an expense limit of $22,949.79. The campaign expense limit has raised by about $48,000 to almost $278,000 and for council candidates, it has raised by just over $4,800 to almost $28,000. City Clerk Adam Tittemore says “there is a formula that’s used to calculate what the maximum spending limit it….It has a number of different factors including population of the city of Saskatoon.”

Candidates could officially start campaigning as of June 1st. The call for nominations is September 23rd, and it closes on October 9th. Election day is November 13th. Also, in an effort to make voting Saskatoon’s civic election this fall more accessible, drive-thru voting will be an option. Designated Returning Officer and Deputy City Clerk Shellie Bryant says this practice was started when the Covid-19 pandemic occurred so voters could stay in their car. “We anticipate having a drive-thru voting opportunity at City Hall through the back parking lot. Logistics still to be worked out… We don’t want to decrease opportunities for people to cast their votes.”

In an effort to increase voter turnout, Bryant says they’ve reached out to several post-secondary institutions such as Sask Polytech and the University of Saskatchewan and asked them to open polls in those areas. “We are also doing a review of all our special polls, hospital polls, all of that. We think we’re ahead of the game in this election in terms of getting information out there for voters.”

So far, half of Saskatoon’s current city council has announced they are not running for re-election. Those stepping down include Mayor Charlie Clark and Councilors Serena Gersher, Hilary Gough and David Kirton.