In a surprising announcement on Wednesday, Mayor Charlie Clark revealed that he will not seek re-election this fall, marking the end of an impactful tenure that spanned two terms. Clark, who unseated incumbent Mayor Don Atchison in 2016 and secured re-election in 2020, cited his desire to prioritize family life and experience parenthood without the responsibilities of public office.
“I only have a brief window of time to experience being a parent who isn’t also a public figure, and I want to get the most out of these last years with my kids,” Clark expressed during a news conference at city hall.
Having served as a city councillor for a decade before assuming the mayoral office, Clark emphasized that he did not initially enter civic politics with a career mindset. “After almost 18 years — life-changing years — on city council, I can tell in my heart that it’s time for a new chapter in my life, and I honestly do not know what that is yet.”
Despite his decision not to seek re-election, Clark assured the public that he plans to fulfill the remainder of his term, emphasizing the importance of ongoing projects and commitments, including plans for a downtown entertainment district, shelter initiatives, housing developments, and bus rapid transit.
Clark’s tenure as mayor has been marked by significant achievements, including the initiation of large infrastructure projects in the downtown core. Notably, the city is embarking on a major project to construct a new downtown arena and an accompanying “entertainment district.” The Saskatoon Public Library is also set to begin construction on its new main branch downtown.
Under Clark’s leadership, the city implemented a compost program and introduced the first electric buses to the Saskatoon Transit fleet, contributing to environmental initiatives. However, his term faced financial challenges, as the city had to impose a 6.04% property tax hike on residents in 2024, coupled with an expected increase of at least 5.64% in 2025. These measures were necessitated by a $52.4-million funding gap attributed to inflationary pressures, pandemic recovery efforts, and the cost of snow removal following major blizzards in 2022.
As Saskatoon gears up for its municipal election on November 13, American readers may find parallels between the challenges faced by Saskatoon and those in their own cities. Clark’s departure signals the end of an era for the Canadian city, leaving behind a legacy of transformation, environmental progress, and the pursuit of ambitious civic projects. The forthcoming election will undoubtedly shape the future trajectory of Saskatoon and provide an opportunity for new leadership to continue building upon the groundwork laid by Mayor Charlie Clark.