Charlie Clark talks Uber, climate change and fentanyl at mayors' meeting with Trudeau

Transit growth, climate change and a co-ordinated approach to mental health and addictions were among the priorities for Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark at a meeting between the mayors of some of Canada's largest cities and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Friday.

Clark was one of about 20 municipal leaders who gathered in Ottawa for the Federation of Canadian Municipalities Big City Mayors' Caucus.

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He said the leaders had four main priorities to raise with the federal government: affordable housing, transit, climate change and the emerging fentanyl crisis.

'Refreshing' discussions

In particular, he said they wanted to provide input on the criteria for infrastructure funding.

"It was quite refreshing actually, to have the prime minister sitting at the table with us taking questions," said Clark.

"He was very open-minded and frank with us."

Clark said his city council was facingissues similar to those in other cities, but there were some priorities specific to Saskatoon.

He sees a need for a more co-ordinated approach to affordable housing, mental health, addictions and fentanyl.

"They are all tied together and the federal government can play a really key role in helping to make sure that their funding and their programs are co-ordinated," said Clark.

"Which is something that I, as a mayor, have seen that we need to have more of."

Transit growth a priority

Clark also emphasized that transit funding for smaller cities like Saskatoon should not be based on ridership, saying additional investment was needed for growth.

He also wanted the federal government to know Saskatoon is "ready to make some real progress on climate change."

"In one of the coldest cities in Canada, and also with among the highest greenhouse gas levels per capita I just want to make sure that we can be ready to make the best of the programs that are being put forward by the federal government at this time," he said.

Clark said the discussion also touched on the sharing economy and the possible impacts of the ridesharing service Uber and the vacation rental service Airbnb in Saskatoon.

He said it was an "emerging issue" and the city was looking to others for guidance.

Mayors discussUber

"This is one of those things where there is no point in having a bunch of Canadian cities inventing their own wheels, per se, on this because the issues we're facing are the same," he said.

"[Calgary] Mayor [Naheed] Nenshi put forward a need to further investigate Airbnb.

"And I did talk with some of the other mayors about Uber and the importance of making sure we have a transportation system that is convenient and efficient but also that maintains the public good."

In December last year, Saskatoon city councillor Darren Hill said he was confident Uber-like serviceswould be an option in Saskatoon sometime In 2017.