Norris pitches veteran-friendly plan, encourages advance voting

Mayoral candidate Rob Norris wants to make Saskatoon more friendly to veterans.

Norris announced a plan to reduce red tape at city hall to allow anyone with a veterans’ plate to park for free.

The current process involves applying to the city’s Parking Services, where applications are restricted to people who live within 30 kilometres of the city and who served in specific conflicts.

Speaking outside of Royal Canadian Legion Branch 63, Norris said the effort is part of a “larger journey” to making Saskatoon the most welcoming city in the country.

Other parts of Norris’ vision for improving the lives of veterans includes housing initiatives and added employment opportunities.

Norris wasn’t able to provide specifics on cost but said it would be “nothing when it compares to the cost of our freedom.”

Earlier this week, Norris expressed his “heartfelt regret” for a social media post accusing Clark of mistreating women on the Remai Modern board of directors.

Last week, Charlie Clark announced a winter activity plan centred around free parking on weekends to keep the city active.

Norris said he called Clark on Monday to once again express “regrets,” and described the response as “magnanimous.”

Norris also expressed his support for people to participate in advance voting across the city, especially with a blast of winter weather expected on Sunday that could complicate travelling to polling stations on Monday.

“I want to applaud those who are coordinating this election,” Norris said. “This is very tough.”

“Speaking directly about the weather that’s coming, this only serves as further encouragement for everyone to get out as soon as possible to the advance polls and go vote.”

Don Atchison, Zubair Sheikh, Cary Tarasoff and Mark Zielke are the other candidates running for mayor. The final day to vote is Nov. 9.