Fact check: Is Norris's proposed Saskatoon library revote even doable? Plus: how candidates say they'd vote

Saskatoon mayoral contender Rob Norris is pledging to lead a revote at city council on already-approved borrowing for a new $134-million downtown library.

But a former city solicitor says it's unclear whether such a reversal is even possible, as arguments could be made either way.

"It's not a simple yes or no answer," said Patricia Warwick.

Last November, city councillors voted 6-5 to approve up to $67.5 million in borrowing for the development and construction of a new downtown library on 2nd Avenue N. A final approval took place in January.

The city will borrow the money on behalf of the Saskatoon Public Library (SPL) board, which has direct authority over the project and hopes to open the new building in 2026.

Early in his campaign, Norris announced his desire to "shelve" the project under its current price tag by seeking to revoke approval of the borrowing.

• Some candidates are wary of plans for a new $134M downtown library. Here's why

He suggested the total project budget could be trimmed by as much as $100 million in light of the financial pressures of COVID-19. 

"This is going to form part of the ballot question," Norris said.

'Likely be out of order, or not legal': Donauer

Doubts persist about viability of Norris's plan, however. 

"I'm not sure that a motion to rescind the approval….would be procedurally possible," Ward 7 Coun. Mairin Loewen said this week. 

Loewen said she reached her assessment after consulting city solicitor Cindy Yelland.

Loewen and Yelland both pointed to city council's procedures and committees bylaw (Section 64), which says motions can't be rescinded "when action on the motion has been carried out in a way that cannot be undone."

The library board has already spent $9 million to purchase the downtown lot and more than $20 million on signed contracts, according to an SPL spokesperson. 

"Because the SPL has taken action on the approval, I'm not sure that it's 'rescindable' at this point," Loewen said.

Other incumbent councillors also expressed doubts about Norris' plan. 

"I don't think such a motion would be in order in accordance with the procedures bylaw," said Ward 2 Coun. Hilary Gough. "And [I] don't think it's productive to speculate about votes that are far from likely to arise."

Ward 5 Coun. Randy Donauer was one of five councillors who voted against approving the up to $67.5 million in borrowing. 

"However, I suspect any motion to rescind will likely be out of order, or not legal," Donauer said, pointing to the actions already taken by the library board. 

What the lawyers say 

Yelland declined to comment directly on the viability of Norris's plan to CBC News. 

"Without a direction from council to do so, I would not investigate to determine whether actions had been taken that would make it impossible to rescind the motion," Yelland said.

Warwick, the former city solicitor, said two arguments could be made depending on how the procedures bylaw is interpreted.

Under the first scenario, "the November and January resolutions can be rescinded because the city itself has not taken any action on the resolutions which cannot be undone," Warwick said. 

According to the city, no external borrowing has actually taken place yet.

"The funding plan for the new central library uses the borrowing at later stages of the project, so a draw on the loan has not been made," said SPL spokesperson Janna Sampson. "At this point, the project is advancing using the library's reserve funds."

Under the second line of argument outlined by Warwick, "The November and January resolutions cannot be rescinded because the SPL board has already taken action on the resolution," Warwick said. 

Mayor Charlie Clark, who is seeking a second term, said rescinding could bring "significant legal, financial and procedural risks," given the work done so far.

"They [SPL] have purchased land, entered into contracts, and spent significant time and effort moving forward with the project, in good faith," Clark said. 

• Clark decries 'politics of fear,' says Norris slate would cause 'political gridlock' at Saskatoon council

Final decision rests with council 

City council could request Yelland to formally rule on whether a rescinding is possible, but councillors are under no obligation to seek that advice, according to the city. 

Former mayor Don Atchison, who is looking to reclaim his seat after being defeated by Clark in 2016, said it would be bad for council to forgo that advice. 

"This is why you have a solicitor to give professional advice.  Who on council is a member of the bar?" he said. 

Donauer agreed a legal opinion would be advisable. 

"Otherwise, it will be creating quite a stir about something that may not be possible," he said. 

• Saskatoon city councillors vote 6-5 to lower new-library loan amount to $67.5M

Norris's campaign team maintains the borrowing approval can be cancelled.

"We sought internal legal advice and expert policy analysis," said Dale Richardson, Norris's campaign manager, though he declined to specify whose advice was sought.

"Based on the advice, we believe it can be rescinded," Richardson said. 

Carol Reynolds, a rival for Loewen's seat in Ward 7, has said she would also vote to rescind the motion. She said the cost of the library project is the single biggest issue people have raised with her. 

But at her first campaign news event on Wednesday, Reynolds said she was not certain whether the rescinding is possible.

"I have folks getting back to me on the rescindment question. That is being investigated," she said. 

Incumbent Ward 1 Coun. Darren Hill said he agreed with the second argument laid out by Warwick: that the motion can't be rescinded because of actions the SPL board took after council's borrowing approval. 

He said candidates' talk of rescinding amounts to "political pandering." 

"It is actually quite disgraceful to see it being done," Hill said. "I think it is just unacceptable that candidates are allowed to throw out these statements that have no substantial possibility of happening or no facts behind them, and that gets people riled up."

At her campaign event, Reynolds echoed Norris in saying "the cost for the new library seems to have fluctuated since it was announced as well."

That's not true, according to Sampson, the SPL spokesperson.

"It's just a matter of how the municipal budget is shown. The budget is unchanged," she said. "$132.7 million was approved for the new central library in the 2019 budget cycle. However, approximately $1.3 million was approved in prior years' budgets, making the total project budget $134 million."

Gough said the "high level" of misinformation being shared is disappointing. 

"The vigorous debate and information-sharing that took place last year in the lead-up to council's decision addressed fully the questions being raised," she said. 

• Why not a high-rise on top? Plus 6 other burning questions facing a new $154M Saskatoon library

Who would vote 'yes' or 'no' 

Warwick said Norris would need five other councillors to vote in support of rescinding the motion. That's assuming five other people running in five different wards are elected alongside Norris in the Nov. 9 election. 

CBC News reached out to all 32 declared election candidates (so far) to ask if they'd vote in favour of rescinding the motion.

• Here's who's running (so far) in the 2020 Saskatoon municipal election, ward by ward

Thirteen people other than Norris said they would vote "yes," including candidates running in seven distinct wards. Three respondents said "no." Some people didn't say either way. Some questioned the premise of saying "yes" or "no" at this stage. 

Here's a breakdown of "yes" and "no" responses, followed by individual candidates' remarks, listed in alphabetical order:

Don Atchison (mayoral)

"This is not a yes or no question. The mayor does not have the authority vested in them to stop the project.  When someone says that, it shows they do not understand how city council functions."

Aron Cory (Ward 1) — 'No'

"While I do think the decision to build a whole new library at this time and in this economy was not the best, we can not backtrack on our promises if we are to have any credibility as a city."

Troy Davies (Ward 4) — 'Yes'

"If it came back to council to rescind the vote I would be in favour. I still believe we could build something similar to Halifax at half the price tag that majority of council passed."

• Saskatoon city councillor says new library is too costly, seeks support for cheaper plan

Randy Donauer (Ward 5) — 'Yes'

"My understanding is that council loses the power to rescind a motion once significant action has been taken....So I can't commit to a rescind vote. I usually will not say how I will be voting until I've seen all the facts. That isn't fair, nor is it responsible decision making. If you need a yes or no on the rescind I would say 'yes'....if it is legal." 

Bev Dubois (Ward 9)

"I would support rescinding the motion if it is legal. But I do not think it is possible. I did not support the [November 2019] motion (I was one of the five against) not because I do not support libraries but as I said at council, I think it is too much money at this time to spend on a new library. I believe we can build a great library for less investment."

Sarina Gersher (Ward 8)

"This item was deliberated by council and received approval for its debt financing request. Substantial work has already begun for this project, which I believe would not allow a rescission motion to proceed. I do not plan on revisiting the discussion regarding debt financing. There is still a lot of opportunity for community participation in this project moving forward."

Hilary Gough (Ward 2)

"I stand behind the decision to approve borrowing for the project for many reasons…. including that the project in today's context will be an important part of recovery from COVID-19, both because of its economic impact (construction GDP & annual operating thereafter), its stimulating effect on the downtown, and also because of the tremendous supports that library services and spaces provide to the community as a whole, including those who are facing challenges in times of downturn."

• Building a new downtown library a 'once in a lifetime' opportunity, councillor says

Darren Hill (Ward 1)

"I'm not giving you an answer to a hypothetical question which is not ever to be a reality because it's simply not possible."

A.J. Itterman (Ward 10) — 'Yes'

"As much as I believe libraries are important, I also believe that what this city is looking at for a new library is far overreaching."

Lee Kormish (Ward 6) 

"It's a done deal. It's been approved and is going forward. Why this city council went so big on a library project is not only irresponsible but unnecessary."

Janine Lazaro (Ward 3)

"I am inclined to gaining all the social services for my municipality and as such I am not debating on things that have been concluded."

Mairin Loewen (Ward 7) 

"It would absolutely be my preference to get a determination about whether or not a vote like this would be allowed before declaring how I would proceed. I'm not sure the premise of a 'yes/no' question on rescinding support for the library is valid at this stage. "

Mark Mills (Ward 3) — 'Yes'

"The new council will need time to look at all the internal reports to make an informed decision if this is the right time for such a project."

Jonathan Naylor (Ward 6) — 'Yes'

"I would vote to rescind the present loan and replace it with a smaller loan."

Colin Prang (Ward 3) — 'No'

"The decision to build a new library was made and council doesn't have full authority over this decision. I feel it would be wise for the library board to extend the completion date and reduce the tax burden over a longer period of time."

Carol Reynolds (Ward 7) — 'Yes'

"[Ward residents] are telling me that $134 million is too much to spend on a new library. Residents have also said that now is not the time to be making such a large tax-payer funded purchase."

Jim Rhode (Ward 7) — 'Yes'

"I believe there are more important priorities for Saskatoon than this expensive and elaborate library. If the goal is to support literacy and reconciliation, and provide computer access to residents, how can we do that with creativity and inclusiveness, instead of a $134-million building?"

Nick Sackville (Ward 3)

"If I had the opportunity to be a councillor when the budget for this project was approved in November 2019, and we knew then what we know now, I would definitely vote to approve a lower budget for the project. But we cannot have that conversation anymore."

Carla Shabaga (Ward 9) — 'Yes'

"I would rescind it, if it still can be. I think the money they have earmarked for building the new library would be better spent making our current libraries better."

Cary Tarasoff (mayoral) — 'Yes'

"My view is the library project needs to be halted for the next year at least."

Mark Zielke (mayoral) — 'Yes'

"We need to take a long look at megaprojects in the face of an economic downturn caused by the pandemic. Why do we need another jewel of the Prairies, when our most vulnerable are barely hanging on?"