News Releases

After two consecutive years of record population growth that added 25,000 residents to Saskatoon, the City's Preliminary 2026/2027 Budget focuses on core services and infrastructure investments that keep pace with demand: repaving aging roads, expanding transit service and strengthening emergency response capacity.

The Preliminary 2026/2027 Multi-Year Business Plan and Budget and the Preliminary 2026/2027 Capital Project Budget prepared by City Administration, proposes strategic investments to enhance service delivery and support for a growing city.

Proposed Strategic Investment Highlights:

• Transportation Infrastructure – $84.4M (2026) and $89.4M (2027) to resurface roadways, improve network reliability and maintain winter snow clearing standards across a larger service area.
• Transit Development – $52.7M in capital investment to expand the bus fleet and advance LINK construction, and improve transit connections between growing neighborhoods and employment, healthcare and services.
• Public Safety – Additional firefighters for Fire Hall No. 11 and enhanced Fire Apparatus Reserve funding to reduce emergency response times as the city expands.
• Operations & Community Services – Sustained funding for recreation facilities, community programs, and civic operations maintains access to services residents rely on daily.

"These investments address the infrastructure gap that rapid growth creates," says Chief Financial Officer, Clae Hack.

“From 2022 to 2024, our city added 25,000 people — more than the populations of Yorkton and Humboldt combined — and we expect another 9,000 new residents in 2025. With that kind of growth, we need more buses, more road maintenance, and more fire halls to maintain our service levels. Administration’s proposed budget invests in the infrastructure and services needed to support our growing population.”

Hack notes that while inflation and expanding service demands place pressure on the operating budget, Saskatoon still maintains one of the lowest municipal property tax environments among major western Canadian cities—supported by the City's ‘AAA/Stable’ credit rating, which has been held for 23 consecutive years.

"Our credit rating reflects disciplined financial management that keeps the City’s borrowing costs low," Hack adds. "That means valued taxpayer dollars stretch further on capital projects."

In response to the Governance & Priorities Committee’s June 2025 direction, Administration developed multiple budget scenarios that demonstrate potential reductions to the preliminary municipal property tax rate, with corresponding service adjustments. These scenarios will provide City Council with clear options during its deliberations.

The Preliminary 2026/2027 Budget represents Administration's assessment of resources required to maintain service delivery and support for Council's strategic priorities. Final budget decisions will be made by City Council during deliberations scheduled for November 25–27, 2025.

Council’s 2026/2027 Budget deliberations will be live streamed.

Visit saskatoon.ca/budget for more information.

*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only.

NEW

DIEFENBAKER DR EB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM CENTENNIAL DR TO LAURIER DR
(Curb repair)
Start: November 7, 7:00 a.m. End: November 7, 1:00 p.m.

LORNE AVE ROAD CLOSED FROM HILLIARD ST W TO ISABELLA ST W
(Tree maintenance)
Start: November 7, 8:00 a.m. End: November 7, 5:00 p.m.

ONGOING

33RD ST W EB & SB MEDIAN LANES CLOSED AT CIRCLE DR W
(Minor bridge maintenance)
Start: November 5, 9:00 a.m. End: November 7, 3:00 p.m.

COLLEGE DR EB LANES CLOSED FROM UNIVERSITY DR TO WIGGINS AVE N
(Service connection work)
Two-way traffic will be maintained in the WB lanes
Start: November 4, 7:00 a.m. End: November 7, 5:00 p.m.

BERINI DR SB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM ATTRIDGE DR TO WEBSTER ST
(Construction)
Start: September 18, 8:00 a.m. End: November 7, 5:00 p.m.

4TH AVE S ROAD CLOSED FROM 20TH ST E TO 19TH ST E
(Valve replacement)
Start: November 3, 7:00 a.m. End: November 12, 5:00 p.m.

CIRCLE DR W SB SPEED REDUCTION FROM AIRPORT DR TO 33RD ST W
(Construction)
Start: October 6, 9:00 a.m. End: November 12, 5:00 p.m.

4TH AVE S CLOSED FROM 20TH ST E TO 19TH ST E
(Valve replacement work)
Start: October 23, 7:00 a.m. End: November 14, 5:00 p.m.

4TH AVE S NB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 21ST ST E TO 22ND ST E
(Building construction)
Start: November 3, 8:00 a.m. End: November 14, 5:00 p.m.

MELVILLE ST ROAD CLOSED FROM JASPER AVE S TO PORTAGE AVE
(Water main construction)
Start: July 30, 7:00 a.m. End: November 21, 5:00 p.m.

25TH ST E EB LANES CLOSED FROM 6TH AVE N TO SPADINA CRES E
(Valve installation)
Start: November 3, 7:00 a.m. End: November 24, 5:00 p.m.

BRIGHTON BLVD ROAD CLOSED FROM TASKAMANWA ST TO 8TH ST E
(Construction)
Use McOrmond Dr
Start: November 20, 7:00 a.m. End: November 28, 2025, 5:00 p.m.

All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

For more information about current road restrictions and construction, visit saskatoon.ca/construction.

Lorne Avenue will be closed between Hillard and Isabella streets on Friday, November 7, starting at 8:00 a.m. for tree maintenance. Detours will be in place guiding motorists around the area. This project is expected to take one day to complete, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Saskatoon Transit may be affected by these detours. Transit service alerts and real-time bus information are available on third-party apps like Transit and Google Maps Transit on desktop.

For more information about current road restrictions and construction, visit saskatoon.ca/construction.

From neighbourhood parks to reliable services, Saskatoon residents say they appreciate the quality of life their city offers. Results from the City’s 2025 Civic Services Surveys show most residents continue to feel positive about life in Saskatoon while identifying key areas for improvement.

The Governance and Priorities Committee of City Council will receive a report detailing survey findings at its November 12 meeting.

“The surveys continue to confirm that residents value the services the City provides and feel a strong connection to their community,” says Carla Blumers, Director of Communications and Public Engagement. “At the same time, the results highlight areas where residents want to see more action, particularly around housing, homelessness and public safety.”

Eighty-two per cent of respondents say they are satisfied with life in Saskatoon, consistent with 2024. Nearly seven in 10 rate the city’s quality of life as good or very good. and more than half say things have improved or stayed the same over the past three years.

When asked about the most important issues facing Saskatoon, survey respondents say homelessness, crime and housing are priority areas. Homelessness is the top concern for 35 per cent of respondents, followed by crime and public safety at 21 per cent and housing at 11 per cent.

The majority of respondents – 80 per cent – say they are satisfied with the quality of services provided by the City. This is an increase of five percentage points from 2024. And 79 per cent say they receive good or very good value from the services provided. The survey further explored how respondents evaluated 31 City services. Top-rated City services include drinking water quality, fire protection, electrical reliability, water main break repairs and garbage collection.

Policing, snow and ice road maintenance and traffic management were identified as top priorities for improvement. This marks a shift from 2024, when only police services were highlighted as a key area for improvement.

“The 2025 results provide a strong foundation for future planning,” Blumers says. “The City will use this feedback to inform decisions on strategic priorities, budgeting and service delivery, and to identify opportunities for continuous improvement.”

Survey results are available at saskatoon.ca/civic-services-surveys.

*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only.

NEW

PRESTON AVE S NB LANES CLOSED AT EAST DRIVE; TRAFFIC ACCOMIDATED IN NB PARKING LANE
(Sanitary sewer lining)
Start: November 6, 7:00 a.m. End: November 6, 9:00 p.m.

20TH ST W EB & WB MEDIAN LANES CLOSED AT AVE N S
(Manhole repairs)
Start: November 6, 8:00 a.m. End: November 6, 4:00 p.m.

LORNE AVE ROAD CLOSED FROM TAYLOR ST E TO ISABELLA ST E
(Tree maintenance)
Start: November 6, 8:00 a.m. End: November 6, 5:00 p.m.

GORDIE HOWE BRIDGE EB & WB MEDIAN LANES CLOSED 
(Minor bridge maintenance)
Start: November 6, 9:00 a.m. End: November 6, 12:00 p.m.

ONGOING

COLLEGE DR EB LANES CLOSED FROM UNIVERSITY DR TO WIGGINS AVE N
(Service connection work)
Two-way traffic will be maintained in the WB lanes
Start: November 4, 7:00 a.m. End: November 7, 5:00 p.m.

BERINI DR SB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM ATTRIDGE DR TO WEBSTER ST
(Construction)
Start: September 18, 8:00 a.m. End: November 7, 5:00 p.m.

4TH AVE S ROAD CLOSED FROM 20TH ST E TO 19TH ST E
(Valve replacement)
Start: November 3, 7:00 a.m. End: November 12, 5:00 p.m.

CIRCLE DR W SB SPEED REDUCTION FROM AIRPORT DR TO 33RD ST W
(Construction)
Start: October 6, 9:00 a.m. End: November 12, 5:00 p.m.

4TH AVE S CLOSED FROM 20TH ST E TO 19TH ST E
(Valve replacement work)
Start: October 23, 7:00 a.m. End: November 12, 5:00 p.m.

4TH AVE S NB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 21ST ST E TO 22ND ST E
(Building construction)
Start: November 3, 8:00 a.m. End: November 14, 5:00 p.m.

MELVILLE ST ROAD CLOSED FROM JASPER AVE S TO PORTAGE AVE
(Water main construction)
Start: July 30, 7:00 a.m. End: November 21, 5:00 p.m.

25TH ST E EB LANES CLOSED FROM 6TH AVE N TO SPADINA CRES E
(Valve installation)
Start: November 3, 7:00 a.m. End: November 24, 5:00 p.m.

BRIGHTON BLVD ROAD CLOSED FROM TASKAMANWA ST TO 8TH ST E
(Construction)
Use McOrmond Dr
Start: November 20, 7:00 a.m. End: November 28, 5:00 p.m.

All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

For more information about current road restrictions and construction, visit saskatoon.ca/construction.

4th Avenue South between 19th Street East and 20th Street East is scheduled to reopen next week, following the completion of an underground water valve replacement.

This project is expected to wrap up on Wednesday, November 12, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances. Detours are in place guiding motorists around the area.

Saskatoon Transit may be affected by these detours. Transit service alerts and real-time bus information are available on third-party apps like Transit and Google Maps Transit on desktop.

For more information about current road restrictions and construction, visit saskatoon.ca/construction.

Lorne Avenue will be closed between Taylor and Isabella streets on Thursday, November 6 starting at 8:00 a.m. for tree maintenance. Detours will be in place guiding motorists around the area. This project is expected to take one day to complete, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Saskatoon Transit may be affected by these detours. Transit service alerts and real-time bus information are available on third-party apps like Transit and Google Maps Transit on desktop.

For more information about current road restrictions and construction, visit saskatoon.ca/construction.

*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only.

NEW

PRESTON AVE S NB LANES CLOSED FROM ARLINGTON AVE TO EAST DRIVE
(Sewer lining)
Start: November 5, 7:00 a.m. End: November 5, 9:00 p.m.

TAYLOR ST W EB LANES CLOSED FROM IDYLWYLD DR S TO LORNE AVE
(Tree trimming)
Start: November 5, 8:00 a.m. End: November 5, 5:00 p.m.

MCORMOND DR ROAD CLOSED FROM BRIGHTON COMMON TO BRIGHTON CIRCLE
(Powerline work)
Start: November 5, 9:00 a.m. End: November 5, 2:00 p.m.

NELSON RD EB & WB MEDIAN LANES CLOSED FROM MCORMOND DR TO HEAL AVE
(Streetlight repairs)
Start: November 5, 9:00 a.m. End: November 5, 2:00 p.m.

MCORMOND DR NB LANES CLOSED FROM ASPEN RIDGE ST TO HENRY DAYDAY RD
(Construction)
Two-way traffic will be maintained in the SB lanes
Start: November 5, 9:00 a.m. End: November 5, 3:00 p.m.

22ND ST WB CURB LANE CLOSED AT HART RD
(Link construction)
Start: November 4, 9:00 a.m. End: November 4, 3:00 p.m.

33RD ST W EB & SB MEDIAN LANES CLOSED AT CIRCLE DR W
(Minor bridge maintenance)
Start: November 5, 9:00 a.m. End: November 7, 3:00 p.m.

25TH ST E WB LEFT TURN LANE CLOSED AT 4TH AVE N
(Construction)
Start: November 5, 10:00 a.m. End: November 5, 2:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR N SB LANES CLOSED FROM 27TH ST W TO 25TH ST W
(Underground maintenance)
Two-way will be maintained in the NB Lanes
Start: November 5, 10:00 a.m. End: November 5, 3:00 p.m.


ONGOING

CUMBERLAND AVE S ROAD CLOSED FROM ADELAIDE ST E TO BUTE ST
(Service connection work)
Start: November 4, 8:00 a.m. End: November 5, 5:00 p.m.

BROADWAY AVE SB LANES CLOSED FROM MAIN ST TO 9TH ST E
(Crane work)
Two-way traffic will be maintained in the NB lanes.
Start: November 3, 6:00 a.m. End: November 5, 5:00 p.m.

PRESTON AVE S SB MEDIAN LANE CLOSED FROM LOUISE AVE TO EAST DRIVE
(Construction)
Start: October 9, 7:00 a.m. End: November 5, 5:00 p.m.

COLLEGE DR EB LANES CLOSED FROM UNIVERSITY DR TO WIGGINS AVE N
(Service connection work)
Two-way traffic will be maintained in the WB lanes
Start: November 4, 7:00 a.m. End: November 7, 5:00 p.m.

BERINI DR SB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM ATTRIDGE DR TO WEBSTER ST
(Construction)
Start: September 18, 8:00 a.m. End: November 7, 5:00 p.m.

CIRCLE DR W SB SPEED REDUCTION FROM AIRPORT DR TO 33RD ST W
(Construction)
Start: October 6, 9:00 a.m. End: November 12, 5:00 p.m.

4TH AVE S ROAD CLOSED FROM 20TH ST E TO 19TH ST E
(Valve replacement)
Start: November 3, 7:00 a.m. End: November 12, 5:00 p.m.

MELVILLE ST ROAD CLOSED FROM JASPER AVE S TO PORTAGE AVE
(Sewer main Construction)
Start: July 30, 7:00 a.m. End: November 21, 5:00 p.m.

25TH ST E EB CLOSED FROM 6TH AVE N TO SPADINA CRES E
(Valve installation)
Start: November 3, 7:00 a.m. End: November 21, 5:00 p.m.

BRIGHTON BLVD ROAD CLOSED FROM TASKAMANWA ST TO 8TH ST E
(Construction)
Use McOrmond Dr
Start: November 20, 7:00 a.m. End: November 28, 5:00 p.m.

All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

For more information about current road restrictions and construction, visit saskatoon.ca/construction.