This feels like a good day to post a link to this editorial. It was written by my Dad and George Rathwell in 2020. When they wrote it I remember thinking it was evergreen. I do not believe there will come a day when it’s not relevant and worthy of your time. 

We talk about election fatigue again this year and I do urge you to examine that notion. I get that the game of politics can be draining, however there is plenty of evidence these days as to what the alternative is to skipping the opportunity to vote can bring. The notion that all the candidates are the same is also worth another pass. They aren’t. They all bring beliefs, ideas, notions, bias, and plans. It’s worth at least checking into what they are running for. 

It’s certainly a cliche to say voting is a privilege but maybe it’s a cliche because it’s true. At any rate, please take a moment to read the editorial and I am curious about what you think. 

Opinion: Time for breakthrough leadership in Saskatoon

We urge voters to ask candidates what their real game-changers will be for our community.

This opinion, written by George Rathwell and Dwight Percy, is based on more years of Saskatoon history than either of them might want to be the case.

Their windows of observation were different, with George as a teacher and later director of education with the public school division, and Dwight, as a former chamber of commerce manager and business columnist for The StarPhoenix. Neither has contributed to any civic candidates’ campaigns.

As residents of Saskatoon head toward a 2020 civic election, perhaps it’s time to look at the issues through a different lens. That is, what kind of city do we plan to create for our children and grandchildren, in one generation’s time, 20 years from now?

We believe this is the time for breakthrough thinking, for game-changing leadership that will define the community in which our families will live two decades from now. We need results-focused, visionary leadership. We need the long view, applied with discipline. We ask those who aspire to lead:

— What is your breakthrough vision for the significant issues that will define our community’s future?

— Which groundbreaking strategies need to be put in place, and steps taken, during the upcoming four-year council term, to make a distinct difference a generation from now?

— Finally, what are your benchmarks that define success?

There is no shortage of issues.

A city centre that is invigorating and inviting affects more than just those who live downtown. The effects ripple right across Saskatoon. A strong city centre can be a source of pride and enjoyment, and just as easily, a source of angst. Recently, there has been concern expressed about the loss of perceived safety in the city centre. Which breakthrough initiatives and actions will cause the city centre to be the safe and vibrant place we want for our kids and grandkids 20 years from now?

The quality of life of Indigenous people living in Saskatoon, across every measure of well-being, such as average household incomes or educational attainment, needs to be the same as it is for non-Indigenous people. On a national basis, the data clearly illustrates a huge gap. Undoubtedly, the stats are no better for Saskatoon. Which actions and strategies will launch this fundamental and crucial change?

The attraction of new Canadians to Saskatoon has been integral to the city’s emergence as an increasingly multicultural and diverse place. But challenges are being experienced in attracting these new community members. How do we create a welcoming and inclusive city that takes into consideration the unique challenges that many newcomers to Canada face, where institutions also reflect newcomers, and makes new Canadians feel safe and secure?

Many of us recall decades when our children believed that moving from Saskatoon was their only option for a quality life and a quality career. In the past 15 years that has changed, and we welcomed them back. But there are pressures again on the ability of the local economy and the employment market to retain our young people in Saskatoon. What needs to happen to ensure this city remains the “place to be,” not the “place to be from”?

Mental health and wellness issues have become a significant concern right across the city. These are critical to the long-term health of the community. While it’s true these are not solely civic responsibilities, it’s also true that right here, across our city, is where they take place. What steps need to be taken in the short and long term to ensure that Saskatoon is a “healthier city” a generation from now?

Few issues are as hotly debated as the environment. Many people tout the benefits of doing more on the environmental front. Many claim there will be great potential damage to the economy by overreaching or investing incorrectly. What is the best path forward toward an economically sustainable and healthy environmental future in Saskatoon?

We urge voters to ask candidates what their real game-changers will be for our community. And we urge all candidates, and those who form city council, to clarify your breakthrough plan — your vision, your steps, your benchmarks. Our kids and grandkids are depending on it.

George Rathwell and Dwight Percy

https://thestarphoenix.com/opinion/letters/opinion-time-for-breakthrough-leadership-in-saskatoon