Ainsley Robertson is one of three official candidates for the recently opened Ward 5 spot in city council.
Ward 5 — which includes the airport, industrial and residential areas in the north — has been represented by Gordon Wyant since 2003. However, on Oct. 18, Wyant was elected to be the MLA for Saskatoon Northwest, leaving an open spot in city council. There is no limit on how long it will be before an election is called.
Robertson plans to take advantage of this opportunity to expand her horizons — and her age is not an issue. Already a recognized leader in Saskatoon, she is confident that she will not only fill Wyant’s shoes but also offer a “dynamic and new” perspective.
The University of Saskatchewan commerce grad is already involved in serving the community through volunteer work with various organizations: she is the program director of Junior Achievement, a program dedicated to educating local youth on business; she is also the executive director of The Princess Shop, a non-profit organization she co-founded in 2007.
The Princess Shop is dedicated to enhancing the graduation experience, as well as the after-graduation goals for female students. The impact this program had on the community led Robertson to be nominated for the YWCA Women of Distinction Award in 2008.
It’s no surprise with her time as a social entrepreneur and businessperson that she would run for city council. She is aware that representing a large demographic is a challenge, but is well prepared. She has already been making visits in the community.
“I am driven by my desire to serve and to be an active part of the growth and development of our great city,” she said.
This desire to help is imperative to aiding the city’s residents. “Direct involvement in city council would allow me to continue my passion for community service.”
Robertson has been getting to know the people in the area of Ward 5 over the past weeks personally. She believes that through working with and listening to the residents, many positive changes for the area can be made.
“We must ensure that we are fostering smart growth in Saskatoon. This means that we must work together to develop a growth plan that ensures we are respecting taxes and that residents get value from their tax dollars. We need to make sure that new neighbourhoods don’t cause existing areas like Ward 5 to pay more in property taxes simply to support that new growth.”
Planning this growth would present Robertson with many “special challenges.” One of these challenges is expanding an area that already has high traffic volume. The northwest end of Saskatoon is not only growing with the city’s boom but also requires a lot of repair and replacing.
“It is important to be cognizant of aging infrastructure in mature neighbourhoods,” said Robertson with regards to the water mains. “It is also important to residents that we continue odour abatement for the wastewater treatment plant.”
Other issues specific to the ward are the recycling program and the Bethany Manor Expansion. The expansion of the senior’s home would potentially take three acres of the existing Umea Park, which would require the relocation of a tennis court and a skateboard park.