Letters: Saskatoon mayoral candidate Wyant’s record is revealing

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Phil Tank’s assessments and the recent letter by Traci Baker regarding mayoral candidate Gord Wyant warrant further scrutiny. Wyant spent 14 years as an MLA of the now diminished and further right Saskatchewan Party. During that time he held various ministerial posts including education, justice and attorney general.

He purports to now fix the “broken” Saskatoon crime and homeless crises. However, during and following his tenure as justice minister, the Saskatchewan crime severity index actually increased, especially in rural communities, while urban homelessness deteriorated further.

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He was previously unable to steer the education portfolio in a solid strategic direction witnessed by the education nightmare that has since unfolded.

He was conveniently absent during final legislative voting for pronoun Bill 137, likely knowing he would resign as MLA in order to run for mayor without revealing his true feelings.

He has suddenly but not surprisingly distanced himself from the Saskatchewan Party, which has an abysmal financial track record of significantly increasing our provincial debt as compared to our City of Saskatoon excellent triple AAA rating.

Wyant was consistently part of the Scott Moe inner circle and will likely continue to be in his back pocket. People are defined and remembered not by their words but by their actions. Do we really want to be led by someone whose latest words portray one thing, but whose history of actions indicate otherwise?

Terry Neefs, Saskatoon

Election failed to accommodate some seniors

I volunteered in the Oct. 28 election and I was horrified to find out how many voters who live in care homes could not vote. I heard of several care homes in the Market Mall area where those living there did not have a mobile polling station option.

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These people built this province and are still committed to it, but for some reason the election process did not find a way for them to vote. Packing them, with walkers, on to a bus could take far too long. Assuming they have family who could drive them to a poll when many children live out of province is not an answer.

Clearly, there must be a deputy returning officer and a poll clerk at every care home in the pre-election period to allow them to vote. A half day per home would likely be enough.

I realize it would mean hiring more people to do the job, but if we want to consider ourselves a democracy which encourages everyone to vote it must happen. Less than that is not acceptable in Saskatchewan.

Elaine Orvedahl, Saskatoon

Wear a poppy to remember sacrifice

Every year, at 11 a.m. on Nov. 11, we gather to observe a moment of silence to mark the sacrifice of the many who have fallen in the service of our country, and to acknowledge the courage of those who still serve. Many men and women have sacrificed so that we may live in a free and democratic society.

Please wear a poppy as a sign of Remembrance and to support our veterans. Join us at SaskTel Centre to commemorate Remembrance Day and participate in the act of remembrance.

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We encourage you to join us afterwards at Nutana Legion #362 for lunch and camaraderie. Let us together pay our respects and express our gratitude to the heroes who have shaped our nation and our lives. We will remember them.

Bill Flahr, president, Nutana Legion #362, Saskatoon

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