Charlie Clark, Justin Trudeau speak on how to mend the country’s growing divide

Saskatoon mayor Charlie Clark had a conversation Tuesday with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to discuss the growing divide in the country.

After the election results that saw every riding in the province vote conservative, Clark says Trudeau needs to start listening to the needs of the west.

“It was an opportunity for me to express to the Prime Minister that what we are seeing in the election results is some real concerns and frustrations that Ottawa feels far away from Saskatchewan right now,” he said.

“Now is a really key opportunity for the Prime Minister to be working with us at all levels of government in Saskatchewan to ensure that every community and every resident feels heard by Ottawa and sees the issues and concerns of our communities reflected in the policies in the future.”

Clark believes that his conversation with the Prime Minister was productive and that more conversations like this need to be had for the country to move forward together.

“It was a first step in the post election situation in talking about how we are going to move forward together. I felt that during the last four years there has been some parts of our province that have not felt heard and so it is an important time that that comes forward and that he is taking the time to listen,” he said.

“The Prime Minister today didn’t mince words or simplify any of the situation. He seemed to recognize that this was an important time for them to be listening. But now it’s going to be an important test to see just how this government can understand the needs of Saskatchewan and the very important role that we play in the federation.”

Clark believes finding a way for all levels of government to work together is what is best for the province’s economy moving forward.

“I believe we have a great city in Saskatoon and a great province in Saskatchewan. We’ve got what the world needs and a real opportunity to contribute to the health of this entire country,” he said.

“I always see that way and I believe that our residents want us to band together and be as creative and innovative as possible in finding those solutions. So I’m going to continue to look with hope to the future and to figure out how we can build on those opportunities and continue to be a strong player in the world.”