Saskatoon mayor Charlie Clark won't seek re-election
Saskatoon mayor Charlie Clark won't run for re-election this fall.
He made the announcement during a news conference at city hall Wednesday afternoon.
"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 said.
Clark has served two terms as mayor. Before that, he served as a city councillor for a decade.
"I actually didn't get into civic politics to make it a career. But 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."
Clark preemptively dismissed any speculation he would plunge into provincial or federal politics.
"So to clear up some of the rumours, I do not plan on running for provincial or federal politics in any of the upcoming elections that are coming up in this cycle," Clark said.
At one point during his prepared remarks, Clark paused and choked as he reflected on some of the sacrifices that come along with the mayor's office.
"If you would look at the texts between Sarah (Clarks' wife) and I over the years, you'd see a record of so many nights when I said 'Oh I'll be home by five or 5:30 to help with supper and sit down with the family.' But some curveball would come in and I wouldn't be home until nine or 10," Clark said.
"And there have been so many nights when I've come home stressed and struggling with one issue or another."
Clark said he plans to stay on as mayor, serving out the rest of his term.
"This city council has been elected until November and we still have very important work to do in the coming months," Clark said, referencing plans for a downtown entertainment district, and work that's still to come on shelters, housing and bus rapid transit.
Clark unseated incumbent mayor Don Atchison in 2016 and was re-elected in 2020.
In 1988, Cliff Wright was the last Saskatoon mayor who left office voluntarily instead of seeing defeat in a municipal election.
Saskatoon's next election is slated for Nov. 13.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
'Summer of discontent': Federal unions vow to fight new 3-day a week office mandate
Federal unions are launching legal challenges and encouraging public sector workers to file "tens of thousands" of grievances over the new mandate requiring federal workers to return to the office at least three days a week in the fall.
Watch fighter jet pilots pummel fake enemy ship off coast of Philippines
The United States and Philippines held annual joint-training drills just off the Southeast Asian nation’s western coast on Wednesday. Military forces sunk a 'mock' enemy warship – the BRP Lake Caliraya, which was a decommissioned tanker made in China.
'Ozempic babies': Reports of surprise pregnancies raise new questions about weight loss drugs
Numerous women have shared stories of 'Ozempic babies' on social media. But the joy some experience in discovering pregnancies may come with anxiety about the unknowns.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
'I killed four people': Trial hears video evidence of Jeremy Skibicki at Winnipeg trial
“I killed four people,” alleged serial killer Jeremy Skibicki told two homicide detectives during a recorded interview played as evidence in his trial Wednesday.
AstraZeneca says it will withdraw COVID-19 vaccine globally as demand dips
AstraZeneca said on Tuesday it had initiated the worldwide withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine due to a 'surplus of available updated vaccines' since the pandemic.
Seafood, eat food: Calgary Stampede releases Midway menu
The Calgary Stampede has released its menu of sweet, salty and spicy treats available on the Midway for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.