City of Saskatoon Launches – “Plan for Growth” with Video from Mayor Charlie Clark

Today, the City of Saskatoon officially started community engagement for the implementation of its Plan for Growth with Mayor Charlie Clark launching the first of a series of videos entitled Let’s Talk Growth.  As the City heads into implementation for its Plan for Growth, this video series emphasizes the importance of continuing a city-wide conversation about the implementation of the Plan for Growth and what it will take to welcome an additional 250,000 people to Saskatoon in the coming decades.

Mayor Clark acknowledged the importance of this infrastructure investment for Saskatoon’s future, noting that the City and the Government of Canada will share in a total contribution of $7.65 million towards the current Plan for Growth projects through the Public Transportation Infrastructure Fund (PTIF).

Following the Mayor’s remarks, the City provided updates on its current plan for growth initiatives.  As part of this update, Director of Planning & Development, Lesley Anderson, noted that the City and its partners are currently planning monthly engagement opportunities for residents and stakeholders that will begin in November leading up to a major public engagement event in March 2018.

The City and the Government of Canada will share in a total contribution of $7.65 million towards the current Plan for Growth projects through the Public Transportation Infrastructure Fund (PTIF).

Quotations:

“The Government of Canada recognizes how important it is for transit infrastructure to keep pace with community development. By investing in Saskatoon’s public transportation, we are helping create sustainable solutions for future growth that meet citizens’ needs for years to come.” – The Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, on behalf of the Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities.

“Everybody loves ideas when they’re at a 40,000 foot level, but when it actually starts to have an impact on a street, on a neighbourhood, on a block that’s when people really start to take an interest.  We’re there now as a City, which is why we’re taking the process of talking to and engaging with people very seriously.  We’re working to find the right balance, while recognizing that neighbourhoods and the City must change over time to stay financially, and environmentally sustainable.  Working together, I truly believe we have a chance to be known as the city that got it right, and that’s exciting for all of us!” – His Worship Charlie Clark, Mayor, City of Saskatoon

Video Link:

Watch the Let’s Talk Growth: October Conversation video on the City of Saskatoon’s YouTube Channel

Background:

At its April 25, 2016 meeting, Saskatoon City Council approved in principle the Growth Plan to Half a Million which includes plans for a re-envisioned transit system based around Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) and infill at strategic locations in the city including downtown, the university endowment lands and along major transportation corridors.  Following this approval, the City created a Ten Year Action Plan to advance a number of the core initiatives identified in the Growth Plan to Half a Million.

The City and the Government of Canada will share in a total contribution of $7.65 million through the Public Transportation Infrastructure Fund for a number of the Plan for Growth projects including:

• Bus Rapid Transit / Transit Plan Implementation
• Corridor Growth
  • Transit Villages Concept Plans
  • Corridor Planning Program
  • Brownfield Renewal Strategy