The City of Saskatoon today released a strategic plan that will help the city take its place among the most progressive and innovative cities in Canada.  His Worship Mayor Donald Atchison praises the quality of the plan, thanks to the participation of Saskatoon citizens.

“Saskatoon shines because our citizens care about their community and the direction of their city,” Mayor Atchison says.  “This plan is solid and captures the vision of the community because people stepped up through Saskatoon Speaks, and spoke to their Councillors about their dreams, ambitions and aspirations for their city. I’m very pleased with the result.”

The plan sets out seven strategic goals that will guide City Council decision-making and administrative policy-making over the next ten years:  Continuous Improvement, Asset and Financial Sustainability, Quality of Life, Environmental Leadership, Sustainable Growth, Moving Around, and Economic Diversity and Prosperity.

According to City Manager Murray Totland, the plan will be a valuable tool to guide City Administration as they respond to the challenges and opportunities of our city’s growth.

“This plan charts a clear course for the decade ahead and will give our people a focus for new ideas and initiatives,” Totland says. “Most importantly, it will help us tie our spending recommendations to key priorities to make sure we are investing in what matters.”

Totland says the plan will go into action once it is formally approved by Council on Monday, February 6, 2012. From there, specific policy ideas will be unveiled and presented for Council’s consideration and approval.

“We are launching this plan from a position of strength” Mayor Atchison says, referring to the City’s ongoing Triple-A Credit Rating by Standard & Poor’s (S&P) and the Conference Board of Canada’s recent forecast that Saskatoon will top all other Canadian cities in GDP growth in 2012.

“This plan will help sustain our momentum and ensure that we continue to grow in a smart, sustainable way – offering the best place in Canada to live, work, and raise a family.” Atchison says.

The Strategic Plan was, in part, made possible with the help of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities and a $333,771 grant from the Green Municipal Fund.

The strategic plan is posted on the City of Saskatoon website under “S” – Strategic Plan.  Hard copies of the plan are available from the City Manager’s Office.

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