Gordon Wyant for Mayor - FAQ

Proven Government Connections: Gordon has strong relationships at both the federal and provincial levels, making him uniquely positioned to address Saskatoon’s challenges. At a time when City Hall has overspent on pet projects and funded items outside its jurisdiction, he stands out with a clear plan to reform the budget and management practices.
Commitment to Citizen Consultation: Gordon is dedicated to ensuring citizens are consulted before decisions are made, not after.
Fiscal Responsibility: He understands the difference between managing funds responsibly and spending recklessly, focusing on keeping Saskatoon’s finances in check.

Fast-Tracking Housing Approvals: Gordon plans to implement a fast-tracked permitting process for certified homebuilders, aiming to meet Saskatoon’s need for 60,000 to 80,000 new housing units over the next decade. By cutting red tape, costs are reduced, and construction can start sooner.
Revitalizing Downtown: With downtown commercial vacancy rates near 19%, Gordon will incentivize converting empty office spaces into residential units, affordable housing, co-living spaces, and cultural hubs, making downtown a vibrant place to live and work.
Supporting Local Businesses: Through his Homegrown Advantage Procurement Policy, Gordon will prioritize local businesses for city contracts, ensuring Saskatoon’s economic benefits stay within the community. His success as Minister of SaskBuilds, where 90% of contracts went to local companies, proves this approach works.
Responsible Budgeting for Affordability: By expanding the city auditor’s role and conducting an efficiency review, Gordon will make sure city spending stays streamlined and focused on frontline services, without unnecessary tax increases. He’ll also freeze unneeded management hiring, prioritizing spending on essential services for residents.

Support for Downtown Revitalization: While Gordon supports revitalizing downtown, he does not support the DEED project as currently funded. He believes the model is flawed and opposes using taxpayer funds or a hotel property tax sub-class.
Concerns with Current Spending: The city has already spent over $20 million on land that sits vacant without generating tax revenue. No funding commitments have been made by the federal or provincial governments.

A Lesson in Due Diligence: Gordon sees the library project as a costly example of insufficient planning. He believes that City Council approved this project without exploring alternative options, such as repurposing the Star Phoenix building for a more affordable solution.
Improving Neighborhood Libraries: Gordon advocates for focusing on improvements to neighborhood libraries that are accessible to families, seniors, and children.