Municipal elections in Regina and Saskatoon have seen consistently low voter turnout, with Regina not seeing more than a 50 per cent turnout since 1988 and Saskatoon regularly falling short of 50 per cent. Jory Vermette of LiveableYXE believes that better voter engagement starts at the civic level. He believes that by getting people to engage with decision-makers at the community level, such as councillors or the council as a whole, momentum can be created to engage with politics at higher jurisdictional levels, such as the provincial or federal level. Regina city councillor Andrew Stevens, who is not running in the upcoming election, finds it ironic that civic engagement is low despite the fact that municipal government affects citizens more directly than other levels of government.
Vermette believes that engagement in politics may be slipping because residents feel like their votes do not make a difference. He believes that if people feel like their vote matters, they will be more encouraged and motivated to participate in elections. Stevens, despite Regina’s history of low voter turnout, is optimistic that residents are beginning to recognize the importance of getting involved with different levels of government whose decisions directly impact them. He believes that residents are starting to see the connection and overlap between the various levels of government, leading to a demand for more accountability from elected officials at all levels of government.
Vermette encourages residents to get involved in their communities by attending council meetings, engaging in committee meetings, writing letters to their candidates or councillors, and engaging with organizations in their communities. He emphasizes that engagement in civic politics goes beyond just casting a vote and hoping for the best. Election day polling stations in Saskatchewan municipalities are set to open on November 13th. Vermette’s aim is to increase voter engagement and participation in municipal elections by encouraging residents to take a more active role in their communities.
Vermette’s organization, LiveableYXE, is actively involved in delivering civic election flyers to Saskatoon residents in an effort to raise awareness and encourage participation in the upcoming election. He believes that by connecting residents with their decision-makers at the community level, a sense of momentum can be created toward engagement in politics at higher levels of government. Stevens acknowledges the history of low voter turnout in Regina but remains hopeful that residents are beginning to recognize the importance of getting involved with all levels of government. He sees a growing demand for accountability and collaboration between different levels of government, signaling a positive shift in civic engagement.
Despite the challenges of low voter turnout, both Vermette and Stevens remain optimistic about the future of civic engagement in Saskatchewan. They believe that by empowering residents to take an active role in their communities and in politics, the overall level of engagement and participation in elections can be increased. Ultimately, the goal is to create a more informed and engaged electorate that actively participates in shaping the future of their communities and holding elected officials accountable for their decisions. The upcoming municipal elections in Saskatchewan will provide an opportunity for residents to exercise their democratic right and make their voices heard on important issues affecting their cities.
