1. City Hall
  2. City Council, Boards & Committees
  3. Interacting with Council & Committees

Interacting with Council & Committees

Schedule - Council and Committee meeting schedule can be found on the Civic Events Calendar for the year or by checking the upcoming meetings at www.saskatoon.ca/meetings. 

Agendas and Minutes (Decisions) - Council and Committee meeting agendas and subsequent minutes can be found at www.saskatoon.ca/meetings. Agendas are posted Wednesday at 4 p.m. a week prior to the meeting.

Watch - Public meetings of Council and Committee meetings are live streamed and can be found at www.saskatoon.ca/livestream. Archived videos can be found with the meeting at www.saskatoon.ca/meetings. You are also welcome to attend any public meeting in person and virtual attendance can be arranged if required.

Regular and Public Hearing meetings of City Council are broadcast live on Rogers tv (Channel 10), and Rogers Ignite (Channel 105), starting at 9:30 a.m. and 6:00 p.m.

Submissions or Speaking - Public wishing to to provide a written submission or requesting to speak may do so using the Write to Council form found here.  

If you provide a submission not related to a matter on an agenda, it will be referred by the City Clerk to the appropriate Council Committee or the administration.  If you know that a particular report or issue is before Council or Committee, you can submit comments or request to make a presentation.  Presentations are limited to five (5) minutes. Any audio or visual presentations are included in your five minutes. Following your presentation, you may be asked questions from Council or Committee members.

Deadlines - Submissions on NEW matters must be received in the City Clerk's Office by 12 noon on the Tuesday preceding the week of the meeting.  Submissions already on an agenda, must be received no later than the Monday at 5 p.m. the week of the meeting.  The deadline remains the same if Monday is a holiday.

Public Notices - Can be found on the Public Notices webpage at saskatoon.ca/publications or view printed copies in the lobby of City Hall.

Conduct in the Public Gallery - All persons in the gallery at a meeting shall:

  • refrain from addressing the Council or Committee member unless permitted to do so;
  • maintain quiet and order;
  • refrain from disturbing the proceedings by words, gestures or actions including applauding, displaying flags, placards or similar material;
  • refrain from talking on cellular telephones; and
  • ensure that all recording, audio visual and photographic equipment is silent and operated in such a manner that does not interfere with the meetings or with another person's ability to hear or view the proceedings.

Where can I get more information about the operation of City Council and its committees?

The City Clerk's Office can help you with any questions you may have regarding City Council and its Committees. It is difficult to briefly outline all of the rules which apply to the many committees of Council, so you are strongly encouraged to contact the City Clerk's Office at 306-975-3240 for clarification.

Accessibility for Council and Committee meetings

The City is committed to meeting the diverse needs of the public. We offer accessible services to make participating in Council and Committee meetings more accommodating.

Council and Standing Policy Committee meetings are held in the Council Chamber at City Hall (222 - 3rd Avenue North, Saskatoon, SK).  Most other Committee meetings are held in Committee Room E in City Hall (accessed off of entrance off 4th Avenue).  Both locations are wheelchair accessible.  The Council Chamber has assisted listening devices available and Committee Room E has an enhanced sound system.  All meetings offer Closed Captioning via the livestream.  Need help with visual materials? You can contact the City Clerk's Office at 306-975-3240 and someone will be happy to assist.

Role of Council vs the Administration

The Province of Saskatchewan, through legislation, sets out the powers of municipal governments. City Council’s main powers are set out in The Cities Act. City Council decides which programs will be delivered, the level of service, and the allocation of human and financial resources.

The City Manager’s (Administration) role is to carry out the policy and directions set by City Council and to supervise the day-to-day operations of the City.

What does City Council do?

Council consists of a mayor and ten councillors, elected for a term of four years. Saskatoon uses the ward system, where electors vote only for candidates in their own ward; there are 10 wards.

Council operates in accordance with several provincial statutes, the main ones being The Cities Act and The Planning and Development Act. Council has only those powers which the provincial government has expressly given to it by statute.

Council cannot make any decisions or take any action other than during an official meeting of City Council or a Council Committee. All meetings are public, and all decisions are made publicly.

Council has delegated some responsibilities to Council Committees, which includes the Governance and Priorities Committee and four Standing Policy Committees. These committees are composed solely of members of City Council. All committees meet publicly. These committees review matters under its specific policy areas.