Umbrella group says election flyers follow Saskatoon election rules ‘to a T’

Thousands of election-related flyers that are being hand-delivered by volunteers of an umbrella group called Liveable YXE are following election rules, according to a spokesperson.

According to Jory Vermette, the group has been around since 2016, and is made up of a variety of smaller organizations, including Climate Justice Saskatoon, Wild About Saskatoon, Swale Watchers, Saskatoon Cycles, Bus Riders of Saskatoon, and several others.

Vermette said the purpose of the small black and white flyers is to provide a “snapshot” of where Saskatoon mayoral candidates stand on several “liveability” issues. The flyers contain a QR code on the front and back, along with information about the group’s website liveableyxe.ca.

Liveable YXE spokesperson Jory Vermette. (Submitted)

“So (that) people can kind of get an idea of where candidates stand on critical issues so that when they go to the ballot box, that they’re trying to make the best informed decision possible.

“And, in tandem with that, we’re also looking to try and get folks out to vote. Because as we know, last election, for a myriad of reasons voter turnout was quite low, I think it hovered around 27 per cent,” he added.

The flyers are being distributed in Wards 1, 3, and 8, and their associated neighbourhoods. Vermette added that the group is non-partisan and has not received grant funding for the flyers from local groups — rather the money comes from a non-profit called Climate Reality Project.

“We also don’t endorse any candidates, or any particular platform. Strictly our position is to inform the public on where candidates stand, and to encourage them to participate in this year’s election,” said Vermette.

He said a questionnaire distributed to mayoral candidates is also highlighted on their website, with verbatim answers published. Many of the questions focus on issues like emissions, transit, housing, homelessness and economic development.

Vermette emphasized that the group has reached out to Elections Saskatoon to make sure it was not crossing partisan boundaries or “grey” areas.

“So, everything we’ve done so far is completely right down to the “T” according to the rules by Elections Saskatoon. And we’ve been in contact with them since the beginning,” he explained.

A brief statement from Elections Saskatoon returning officer Shellie Bryant said she was aware of the flyer and clarified that it did not come from the city.

“This is neither an Elections Saskatoon nor a City of Saskatoon communication. Voters can find reliable election information at saskatoon.ca/vote2024,” she wrote.

Vermette said the flyers will be distributed to households up until Nov. 12. The election is Nov. 13.

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