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Don Atchison pitches ‘global village,’ defends record on crime

Don Atchison said Saskatoon’s multicultural associations can be brought together in one place. He also he disagreed with Charlie Clark’s comments on crime. File / Global News

A single location for some of Saskatoon’s multicultural associations could become a reality if Don Atchison is re-elected as mayor of Saskatoon.

The incumbent introduced the idea Thursday after speaking with a local Filipino organization, African groups and the “many groups that are asking for it.”

READ MORE: Who is Devon Hein?: Saskatoon’s last-minute mayoral candidate

“City of Saskatoon certainly can’t pay for it all. The organizations can’t pay for it all on their own,” Atchison said, adding that federal and provincial governments could chip in.

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Atchison also stood by his record on crime, a day after his opponent Charlie Clark accused him of questioning Statistics Canada figures, which show Saskatoon has the highest crime rate among Canadian census metropolitan areas.

Thorough police work involving probation checks, court orders and curfews increase those statistics in Saskatoon, Atchison said at Thursday’s news conference.

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“If you take all of those things from where we’re at today, our crime rate would be significantly lower than what it is,” Atchison said.

“Is crime a concern in our community? Absolutely, and we’re going to be talking about that more in the future too,” he said.

READ MORE: Charlie Clark to introduce community safety plan if elected Saskatoon mayor

Election Day in Saskatoon is Oct. 26.

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