‘Proud and grateful’: Cynthia Block makes history as city’s first female mayor

Michelle Berg/Saskatoon StarPhoenix. Cynthia Block celebrates becoming the first female mayor in Saskatoon history. Photo taken in Saskatoon, Sask. on Wednesday, Nov. 13, 2024.

A new mayor and at least five new city councillors will be elected in Saskatoon’s 2024 civic election.

Brody Langager, Saskatoon StarPhoenix

Her name now etched in Saskatoon’s history books, Cynthia Block says she “could not be more proud and grateful for a city that has chosen hope.”

Block on Wednesday became Saskatoon’s first woman mayor.

When all 82 polls in the civic election had finished reporting shortly after the clock struck midnight, she had 30,412 votes — well ahead of longtime Saskatchewan Party MLA Gord Wyant at 20,259 and former mayor Don Atchison at 10,460. Cary Tarasoff finished in fourth place with 6,386 votes, while Mike Harder had just 568.

Block said it’s an “honour” to be elected and to be the first woman to hold the title in the city. Ten women have run for mayor in previous elections, but none finished higher than second place.

“I think representation matters,” Block said. “I want every woman and girl to know that they can lead.”

At her campaign headquarters and then later in the City Hall lobby, she greeted and mobbed by supporters, family and friends with hugs and smiles. She said she was thrilled to be elected in “a city that has chosen a vision that means we have an opportunity to provide for all of us.”

A two-term city councillor in Ward 6 before entering the race, she replaces Charlie Clark, who said earlier this year that he wouldn’t seek reelection.

Block said voters “want a modern, 21st century city that’s moving forward, not backward.”

Saskatoon last held an election without an incumbent mayor running in 1988, when Cliff Wright decided not to seek a fifth straight term. Henry Dayday won his first mayoral term that year, finishing atop a four-candidate field.

Block earlier this week described feeling overwhelmed and humbled, and reflected on the long hours and hard work needed to get her campaign’s messages to the public.

“I feel overwhelmed in a way that I’m not used to. I think that’s just because of the support that I’m feeling in the community,” she said.

Block took the lead early in the ballot count and maintained that momentum throughout the night. With each 10 or so new polling stations reporting, around 1,000 votes were added to her lead.

It’s traditional for the main mayoral contenders to appear at city hall after the election, but neither Atchison nor Wyant appeared.

In an interview on Thursday, Atchison said he still wants what’s best for the city.

“The election is over. We tried hard, and we have to move on,” he said. “That doesn’t mean we’re not going to work on behalf of the citizens of Saskatoon and try to get positive things done in our community.”

In a Facebook post on Thursday, Wyant thanked the community and his supporters “from the bottom of my heart.

“Though the results weren’t what we hoped for, I’m filled with gratitude for everyone who supported me on this journey. Your dedication, hard work, and belief in our vision means the world. Let’s continue striving for a better future, together,” he said. “I’ll always be here, committed to serving our community.”

Wyant congratulated Block on her win and all candidates for running.

“It’s not easy to put yourself out there, and I have great respect for everyone’s passion and commitment to making Saskatoon better,” Wyant said.

Block said she knows there are plenty of issues to address, including cost of living, housing, homelessness and the Downtown Event and Entertainment District (DEED). During a mayoral debate, she promised that, if elected, in the first 100 days she would call a facilitated business group session to work on goals and strategies together.

Block said she feels the top issue for council is the homelessness crisis.

“We have to have homeless shelters. Where can they be?” she said.

“And if they’re going to be somewhere in our city, which they have to be, how can we ensure that those who are unhoused are safe, and also their neighbours?”

Block said the new and returning councillors need to find ways to disagree respectfully.

She said she envisions a future for Saskatoon where people are working together.

“I want to thank every single resident who voted for me,” she said. “I also want to say thank you to those who didn’t, because you’re going to make me better.”

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