On October 26, 2016 Saskatoon Transit will be FREE for riders. This allows voters to access their polling stations using transit.

Folks can get their FREE voucher the following ways:

1. Download the voucher from the City of Saskatoon website. Vouchers can either be printed or shown on smart phones, tablets, or other digital devices. The voucher can be downloaded here.
2. Printed passes will be available at SaskatoonTransit Customer Service, City of Saskatoon Leisure Centres, Saskatoon Public Libraries and the City Hall Information Desk, or clip from page 32 of the City of Saskatoon's Voters’ Guide.

Please note the following:

• Individuals who do not have the free Transit pass will be required to pay the standard fare on Election Day.
• The free Transit pass will only be valid on October 26; it is valid for the full day and can be used multiple times on all routes.
• The free Transit pass expires at end of service on October 26, 2016.
• Individuals can take multiple passes for family or friends, but each individual only needs one pass on Election Day.
• Access Transit riders can also use the free Transit pass on Election Day.

***The City of Saskatoon has the most up to date information on the Saskatoon Municipal Election.***

Access to green spaces contributes to the high quality of life for residents and enhances community. Saskatoon and Ward 8 have many public parks, green spaces and natural areas. These spaces promote healthy and vibrant neighbourhoods. One way to create new spaces is to look toward things like community gardens. One way to protect existing natural areas is to conserve the Meewasin Valley.

With the announcement of the closure of the Meewasin Valley Interpretive Centre on July 1, 2016, the reality of Meewasin’s long-term erosion of statutory funding has become obvious.

I am sure many of you have been impacted by the important work that Meewasin does. The Meewasin Valley encompasses 25 square miles of conserved riverbank lands, which includes public access to the valley, conservation sites, interpretive centres and over 80 kilometers of Meewasin Trail.

Throughout my life, the importance of Meewasin has been highlighted time and time again. From a young age, learning about ecology at Beaver Creek Conservation Area and the history of Saskatoon at the Meewasin Valley Centre, to experiencing nature in the city at the Meewasin Northeast Swale, to my current position of mapping the valley--the benefit and significance of Meewasin is irreplaceable.

In my opinion, the establishment of the Meewasin Valley Authority has been an amazing and innovative partnership that makes me a proud resident of our city and province. Through the partnership of the City of Saskatoon, Province of Saskatchewan and the University of Saskatchewan, Meewasin has been providing Education, Conservation and Development to the Meewasin Valley for 37 years.

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As your City Councillor, bringing your voice to city hall would be one of my top priorities. Our community thrives when residents are consulted and given a chance to provide input in the decision making process.

My plan to engage the residents of Ward 8 includes holding monthly meet-your-councillor coffee chats in the community. These events would be free and open for all residents to come and share their concerns, views, and solutions to the problems our community faces.

I am committed to ensuring your voice is not only heard, but acted upon, as well. Strong communication among residents leads to strong community for all generations.

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With this early onslaught of winter, I am constantly humbled by the amazing folks who have been supporting me in my candidacy for Ward 8 City Councillor.

Thank you for the kind words, Chris Stoicheff.

"Sarina is exactly the kind of person we need in civic politics. She cares first and foremost about the public interest and has worked tirelessly for causes that improve our quality of life. She is a person of great integrity with an exciting vision for our city."

Chris Stoicheff is the former President of the University of Saskatchewan Students' Union.

Why wait until Election day to cast your vote? Skip the rush and vote early at one of the city's advance poll locations. The following locations and times are where and when you can cast your vote for the 2016 civic election.

ADVANCE POLLS

City Hall, Committee Room E

Saturday, Oct. 15------10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Monday, Oct. 17--------11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 18-------11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 19---11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 20------11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 21----------11 a.m. – 6 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 22------10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
(Enter City Hall through Door No. 1, immediately across from the former Post Office. On-street parking is available on Fourth Avenue. If you are voting after 5 p.m. you may park in the staff parking lot off of Fourth Avenue.)

The Mall at Lawson Heights (134 Primrose Dr.)
Confederation Mall (300 Confederation Dr.)
Market Mall (2325 Preston Ave. South)
The Centre Mall (3510 8th St. East)

Saturday, Oct. 15---10 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Thursday, Oct. 20---11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Friday, Oct. 21-------11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
Saturday, Oct. 22---10 a.m. – 5 p.m.

University of Saskatchewan - Place Riel (1 Campus Dr)

Monday, Oct. 17----9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 18---9 a.m. – 4 p.m.

***Note that the AutoMARK Voter Assist terminal will be available during Advance Polls at City Hall and Market Mall only.***

***The City of Saskatoon has the most up to date information on the Saskatoon Municipal Election.***

If you are a qualified voter and you anticipate being unable to vote at an advance poll or on the day of the election, you can still participate in the 2016 municipal election by way of a mail-in ballot.

Starting on July 4, 2016, qualified voters can apply to vote using a mail-in ballot. An application must be made in person at the City Clerk’s Office, City Hall. The last day to apply for a mail-in ballot is October 25, 2016. When you apply, you will be required to complete a Voters Registration Form and produce the necessary voter identification. Photo identification, such as a driver’s license or an SGI issued identification card is the best option, but there are other options available. For a full list of options, click the link to the City of Saskatoon website below.

The mail-in ballot packages will be mailed to you in October. The ballot package will contain:

- A ballot
- Instructions on how to complete the ballot
- Instructions on how to correctly return the ballot in the envelopes you have received
- A return envelope.

It is important that you carefully follow the instructions for completing and returning the envelope. Returned ballots that are not correctly filled out according to the instructions provided in the package will not be accepted by the Returning Officer to be counted on election night. Your ballot must be received by the Returning Officer by 8 p.m. on October 26, 2016, in order to be counted.

***The City of Saskatoon has the most up to date information on the Saskatoon Municipal Election.***

City Council has established a mobile poll for homebound voting for voters who, due to disability or limited mobility, are unable to leave their residence to vote at an established polling place. Their resident caregivers may also vote using this service.

Homebound voting will be conducted on October 21, 24, and 26.

If you wish to use this service, you need to fill out an application form and file it with the Returning Officer by no later than Friday, October 14, 2016, at 5 p.m. You will then be advised of the date and time an election official will visit your home to take your vote. When the election official visits your home, you will be required to provide identification. Government-issued photo identification is your best option but there are other alternatives available to you.

 ***For all inquires about voting, you can read more at the City of Saskatoon's website by clicking here.***

My community involvement has been a constant aspect in my life. 

I have spent many hours volunteering with organizations like the Red Cross and the Canadian Diabetes Association. Growing up in Ward 8, I visited often with the seniors of Sherbrooke Community Centre and helped create a film that was used to help children through grieving processes. Later in life, I partnered with younger children to teach them various skills and to prepare quilts for the Ronald MacDonald House.

Upon finishing my Bachelor of Science in Land Use in Environmental Studies from the University of Saskatchewan, I completed an intensive leadership program. Ready to take my engagement to the next level, I began work on organizing, building and supporting community. I have been active in many organizations, such as the Saskatchewan Environmental Society, the Saskatchewan Eco Network, Bus Riders of Saskatoon, Next Up, Peer Mentoring, and public speaking groups.

During my years of engagement with the City of Saskatoon, both through my job with the Meewasin Valley Authority and through volunteering, I gained useful insight into municipal operations. I met with Councillors, various levels of administration and management, presented to Council and its committees and engaged in city-wide consultations. Much of my work centres on providing tangible and constructive ideas for the issues and challenges Saskatoon faces. I believe it is important to work hard to provide solutions or alternatives to these challenges.

Saskatoon is a beautiful city, filled with caring, hardworking and inviting people. We all want the best for Saskatoon, and that is one of the reasons why I am running to be your City Councillor in Ward 8.

From a young age, it was obvious to me that working with a group of people toward a common goal was easier than doing it alone. By working together we can bridge diverse and varying perspectives to find the commonality in our goals, which allows us to move forward. I have called Ward 8 home for nearly three decades and look forward to building community with each of you, my neighbours, for many years to come.

Engaging community by ensuring residents’ opinions are heard and respected by those who serve on City Council is integral to my commitment as a candidate for City Council.