YORKTON – The 2024 Municipal Election set for Nov. 13 will see the public cast their votes with two mayoral candidates and 10 councillors to choose from.
SaskToday.ca reached out to each candidate with a set of questions to help inform the public of who they're voting for.
Ron Irvine, Candidate for City Council
First, a brief history of your time in the city. How long have you been here, work experience, political experience, etc.
I was born and raised in Yorkton. After graduating from Yorkton Regional High School in 1995, I moved to Regina and spent some time working before pursuing my education in Computer Networking. I joined Access Communications in 2001 and moved back to Yorkton in 2007 when I accepted the role of Eastern Regional Manager. Over the past 17 years, I’ve built strong relationships with local businesses and community groups (as well as in communities throughout the province) through my work in this not-for-profit cooperative. My political and community experience includes five years on the Yorkton Chamber of Commerce, where I served as President in 2012, as well as nine years as a leader and fund-raising co-coordinator with the Yorkton chapter of Scouts Canada and over 15 years on the board with the Yorkton Film Festival, currently as Co-Chair.
Why do you feel you're qualified to represent the public on City Council?
I believe my lifelong connection to Yorkton, combined with my professional experience and volunteer work, uniquely qualifies me for this role. I understand the challenges our community faces, and my extensive work with local businesses and community organizations has equipped me with the skills necessary to advocate effectively for our residents. I am passionate about Yorkton, and my commitment to listening to the concerns of my fellow residents will guide my decisions on City Council.
What issues do you feel are the most pressing for the city? How would you plan to address these issues?
Some of the major issues facing Yorkton today include barriers to growth and development within our business community, aging infrastructure, and affects to the community with the growth of residents struggling with mental health and addictions. To address these challenges, I would prioritize collaboration with local businesses to identify and remove obstacles to growth, advocate for funding to upgrade our infrastructure, and work closely with community organizations to advocate for mental health and addiction services. I believe that open dialogue with residents is crucial to developing effective solutions.
In Yorkton we're experiencing concerns with homelessness, drug abuse, mental health, and crime. Though separate issues they're often intertwined and something that falls on the shoulders of the provincial government. What steps would you, as a city councillor, take to ensure a closer working relationship with the provincial government so that a meaningful impact on these issues can be made? What work or education do you have that qualifies your answer?
As a City Councillor, I would actively advocate for Yorkton's needs at the provincial level. Building a strong relationship with the provincial government is essential for securing the resources and support needed to tackle homelessness, drug abuse, mental health, and crime. My extensive volunteer experience with local organizations and my role in a community cooperative have given me a solid understanding of these issues and the ability to communicate effectively with various stakeholders. I would push for regular meetings with provincial representatives to discuss our city's unique challenges and seek collaborative solutions.
What would you do to improve on transparency to maintain the public's trust in their municipal government?
To improve transparency and maintain public trust, I would advocate for more open council sessions and limit in-camera discussions to only the necessary legal matters. It’s crucial that residents feel informed about the decisions being made on their behalf. Additionally, I would prioritize developing better communication channels between City Council, the Yorkton business community, and local organizations. Regular updates on council activities and decisions, along with opportunities for public input, would build a more inclusive environment and strengthen community engagement.
