Rob Norris expresses ‘heartfelt regret’ following controversial post targeted at Charlie Clark

Saskatoon mayoral candidate Rob Norris says he is extending his “heartfelt regrets” to incumbent Charlie Clark following a social media post on Halloween.

The post, which Norris says was not made by himself, outlined “Charlie Clark’s Spooky Record.”

It included jabs at the price of the downtown library, a “$19 billion carbon tax plan,” increases in property tax, the downtown bike lanes “nightmare,” along with Clark’s alleged “Terrifying treatment of female Remai Modern board members.”

It was the latter that caught the eye of many, tied to a 2019 Saskatoon StarPhoenix article. On Sunday night, Clark said it “has crossed a line.”

On Monday, Norris addressed the post in a press conference dedicated to the controversy.

“I want to extend my heartfelt regrets to Charlie Clark, to his family and to all those that have called, emailed and contacted me through a variety of means, questioning my intent,” he said.

“I’m still working through how (the post) actually came up on my page. I was out (on) the campaign trail.”

Norris says the post was made without his awareness, input or approval.

Norris claims that he found out about the Saturday post on Sunday, just before noon.

“While I did not approve it. It went out under my name. Therefore, I take ownership, I take responsibility and I offer my heartfelt regret,” he said.

Changes in the protocol have now been put in place, Norris said. One of those changes includes campaign manager Dale Richardson.

“We’ve asked (Richardson) to just, step back for a few days. My understanding is he’s doing that,” Norris explained.

“We’re going to keep focusing… I’ll review the presence of (Richardson) over the course of the coming days.”

Norris was then asked if it was a reasonable inference that Richardson made the social media post.

“That’s reasonable,” he responded.

Norris stopped short of a public apology, or the use of “I’m sorry” for the duration of the press conference Monday.

He also said that he plans to reach out to Clark Monday afternoon to express his “heartfelt regret” towards the actions.

In an emailed statement Sunday, Clark’s team dispelled some of the facts of the post, including the female Remai Modern board members comment.

“For someone who is a candidate for mayor, in the context of the #MeToo movement, to make this kind of libelous claim in a Hallowe’en joke post, shows a reckless treatment of a very serious issue and significant questionable judgement,” the email reads.

“Throughout this campaign, Norris has repeatedly manipulated facts to mislead the public about important issues we are facing as a community.”

Clark claims that there has been no discussion at the “City about putting in a carbon tax, ever.” That “re-voting on the New Central Library would be very difficult, if not impossible,” and if reversed, would cost “millions to residents in lawsuits.”

Advance voting for the 2020 civic election is underway, closing Thursday. Election Day is on Nov. 9.