Statement regarding concert in Diefenbaker Park
An application for an event called Revive in '25 in Diefenbaker Park on August 21, 2025 has been approved by the City. At this time, no public safety issues have been identified that would require the City to revoke the approval of this application. The City will continue to work with event organizers around event safety as we would with any special event approved in our public parks. However, the situation may change as we get closer to the event.
The City makes our parks available for a variety of public events. Under the protections of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the City has limited ability to restrict access to public spaces. Allowing an event to occur in public space is not an endorsement by the City of the event or any message of the event organizers.
The City has received several phone calls and emails related to an event called Revive in '25. Due to the number of phone calls and emails combined with the length of time each call has taken due to the strong opinions of people on both sides of this issue, City Staff will be unable to respond to all these phone calls and emails.
The City understands that residents have questions and concerns about the event. The City has put together the following information to provide a more comprehensive response to possible questions. Please consider this information the City’s response to any phone calls and emails.
- Jeff Jorgenson, City Manager
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
What rules does the City of Saskatoon have with respect to outdoor special events?
Every year the city is host to approximately 500 different outdoor special events. An outdoor special event is any event held on City-owned land that is open to the public. Information can be found on our website about the City’s outdoor special event process:
What events does the City allow in public spaces?
The City’s public spaces are just that – public. The City regulates the operation of the outdoor special event, but in general, the City does not regulate the purpose for the event. Special event organizers are required to apply for an outdoor special event. There are several requirements that special event organizers must comply with depending on their event. The requirements are outlined in the Outdoor Special Event Information Guide which is available online.
The City applies the following criteria in reviewing applications for outdoor special events:
- Not-for-profit or for-profit status
- Public event or private event
- Brief description of event activities
- Location
- Anticipated attendance
- Start and end dates and times
- Event activities, which include but are not limited to:
- Amplified sound
- Animal activities
- Race/run/walk
- Alcohol
- Food/beverage
- Fireworks
- Tents and temporary structures that require staking
- Civic services requested, which include but are not limited to:
- Road/lane closures
- Police assistance
- Pylons
- Barricades
- Street sweeping
- Garbage or organics containers
- A risk assessment checklist that considers whether the event has been held in previous years and a review of any issues from those prior events.
Who approves Outdoor Special Events?
As outlined in the Outdoor Special Event Information Guide, outdoor special events are reviewed and approved by a Special Event Interdepartmental Committee. The committee members are administrative staff from various civic departments.
What role does City Council play in outdoor special events?
City Council does not approve outdoor special events. Instead outdoor special events are reviewed and approved by a Special Event Interdepartmental Committee, which is led by City staff.
Sometimes members of City Council are invited to attend events. It is up to individual members of Council whether they wish to attend an outdoor special event or endorse an outdoor special event.
Did the City approve this event?
An application for an outdoor special event called Revive in '25 was approved by the City. The City approved the use of Diefenbaker Park on August 21, 2025 for this event.
Was City Council aware this event was taking place before it was approved?
No, City Council is not part of the approval process for outdoor special events. As outlined above, the city is host to approximately 500 different outdoor special events annually. Applications for outdoor special events are reviewed and approved by the Special Event Interdepartmental Committee.
Other cities have cancelled this event? Why hasn’t the City of Saskatoon?
The most common reason provided by the media as to the reason for cancellation has been public safety. So far, the Special Event Interdepartmental Committee has not identified a public safety concern that would require the event to be cancelled in Saskatoon. As with any event, this may change as we get closer to the event.
The City did reach out to some of the cities to discuss their public safety concerns. No concerns were provided or identified that would necessitate the cancellation of the event in Saskatoon.
As with any event, public safety is paramount. The City continues to work with the special event organizer around public safety for this event. The special event organizer will need to comply with the City’s usual outdoor special event guidelines around public safety and the administrative conditions of their permit for the outdoor special event.
How can the City support this event given the message or views of the event organizers?
The City has a very clear record of supporting diversity, equity and inclusion through many initiatives identified in our Strategic Plan and the values that our employees demonstrate each day. For example, earlier this year, City Council unanimously declared Saskatoon an 2SLGBTQQIA+ safe city, which is a continued commitment to the community by the City.
The Civic Administration has reviewed comments attributed to the artist related to the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community, and strongly denounces those comments. In contrast, the Civic Administration fully supports the 2SLGBTQQIA+ community and stands with them as resolute partners and advocates.
The City similarly rejects other comments and positions attributed to the artist that have been publicly reported. The City supports equity and inclusion for all residents in Saskatoon.
If the City doesn’t support the message of this event why are you allowing it in public space?
Whether or not an individual or organization agrees with the messaging of another, the fundamental issue is this - the City fully supports the rights and protections provided by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The protections provided by this document are critical to us all and provide a check to the power of public authorities.
Under the protections provided by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, the City has limited ability to restrict access to public spaces. The Saskatchewan Human Rights Code also prevents the City from denying access to a service or facility offered to the public on the basis of one of the prohibited grounds.
The City makes public spaces available to approximately 500 outdoor special events every year. Many of these events are a valued part of the lives of residents. In making public spaces available for these outdoor special events it means just that – they are publicly available. The City does not pick and choose amongst the events depending on the views of the event organizers. Given the sheer number of outdoor special events, it is unlikely that every resident would agree with every event held in the City’s public spaces. Allowing an event to occur in public space is not an endorsement by the City of the event or any message of the event organizers.
The City recognizes that there are limitations to the rights and protections provided by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. Hate speech is one such limitation. However, every speech we disagree with is not necessarily hate speech based on the legal definition.
The City supports freedom of expression. It is easy to support freedom of expression when you agree with the message. It is much more difficult to uphold the protections provided by the Charter of Rights and Freedoms when you fundamentally disagree with the message.
Where can I share my comments/thoughts on this matter?
Comments may be emailed to customercare@saskatoon.ca - please note that they will be collected and shared with the appropriate staff and City Council for consideration.