News Releases

• The potential implementation of vaccine requirements for City staff only, in consultation with local health authorities; and 
• Following the Government of Saskatchewan’s update on August 30, 2021 that “businesses, municipalities, venue and event organizers may request proof of vaccination to host and attend events or access their services,” to provide Council with advice on how this could apply to civic events, events in civic facilities and other relevant gatherings.

The City’s 2020 Annual Report which includes the Audited Consolidated Financial Statements is now available online at: saskatoon.ca/annualreport. New this year is a condensed 2020 Financial Statement Report prepared to underscore the City’s goal to make financial records easier to access and review.   

Having received the opinion of external auditor, Deloitte LLP, Chartered Professional Accountants, the 2020 Annual Report reflects the City’s ongoing commitment to continuous improvement, accountability, transparency and clarity in financial reporting.  

“In an unprecedented year, the City continued to make responsible financial decisions to reduce our overall spending approach and make up shortfalls by using the Fiscal Stabilization Reserve,” says Kerry Tarasoff, Chief Financial Officer. “Our work with other orders of government on solutions and financial assistance greatly helped address funding needs to minimize our operating revenue challenges and deficit.

“The 2020 Annual Report highlights the progress we made on our investment activities, projects, and service delivery, and details what we planned and accomplished as set out in our Multi-Year Business Plan and Budget, adds Tarasoff. Our prudent financial planning and decision-making in 2020 helped to keep us financially responsible even in these uncertain times.”

The City continued to maintain its S & P Global ‘AAA/ Stable’ credit rating in 2020, supported by the City’s cautious financial decision-making and willingness to explore innovative and alternative ways to fund, finance, deliver and make progress on important infrastructure projects.

Included within the full 2020 Annual Report is a summary of achievements and highlights of several major projects and initiatives according to business line.  

“Throughout a very challenging year, we committed to careful and stringent financial management to plan for financial recovery and to build a vibrant future for the people of Saskatoon,” says Jeff Jorgenson, City Manager. “With our strong financial management practices and the hard work of every part of our organization pulling together, the City was able to balance the budget while protecting our strategic priorities, our critical assets, and our commitments to Saskatoon citizens and our employees.”

Even with the challenges of the pandemic, the City continued to value citizen input by providing numerous public engagement opportunities through online surveys and online public meetings. To provide business continuity, several City services were fast-tracked to be available online.

With a goal of being one of the best-managed cities in Canada, the City of Saskatoon remains dedicated to ensuring residents receive value from the investments made through their tax dollars and managing both risk and debt appropriately.

In keeping with the City’s digital-first strategy to capture cost savings and environmental responsibility, the 2020 Annual Report and 2020 Financial Statement Report are made available online and will not be printed. Citizens may request an individual printed copy by contacting finance@saskatoon.ca.

The 2020 Financial Statements were presented to City Council on July 26, 2021.

Visit saskatoon.ca/annualreport for additional financial reports and information.

If City Council approves a plan to consider two feasible sites for a future Downtown event centre/arena, the public will have the opportunity to provide feedback through a process of public engagement that would begin in the coming days.

A report will be presented to the August 29 meeting of City Council outlining a detailed technical study of potential Downtown locations for a new event centre/arena, which will become one of the key anchors of the future Downtown Event & Entertainment District.

Five different site options for the Downtown event centre/arena were initially studied to determine if they were a suitable size for a modern event facility, with a capacity comparable to the existing SaskTel Centre. Sites determined to be too small were eliminated from further consideration, while the remaining sites were ranked in accordance with nine evaluation criteria. After thoroughly studying the evaluation criteria, two sites are considered viable options:

• Site A – Midtown Shopping Centre North Parking Lot
• Site B – North Downtown/City Yards

Public engagement on the two locations was not possible until one of the sites was available following lengthy real estate discussions. The Council report includes an engagement plan for approval.

“Based on the technical criteria, the Midtown location is the highest scoring site and affirmed by two external consultants,” says Dan Willems, Director of Technical Services.

“The public engagement will be an opportunity to hear from residents, businesses and other community partners on the opportunities and challenges of both potential sites. The public feedback, along with the technical rankings, will give City Council the information it needs to make the final decision on the event centre/arena location.”

From August 30 to October 3 the City will seek public input in several ways:

August 30 to September 5:

• A representative sample survey (that includes a telephone and online panel survey) for Saskatoon residents.

September 13 to October 3:

• An opt-in online public survey (Saskatoon residents, as well as those from other communities, can self-select to participate);
• An opt-in survey for local businesses and organizations; and
• Intercept surveys to hear from residents across Saskatoon.

This engagement method reflects the “consult level” of the International Association for Public Participation using a qualitative approach. Results will be shared publicly and presented to City Council in November to be considered as part of the final decision on the location for the future event centre/arena site.

“Since 2018, when City Council decided a future event centre/arena should be located Downtown, a lot of research, consideration and effort has gotten us to this point,” Willems says. “The goal evolved beyond the need for a new event centre/arena to envision a revitalized Downtown that is welcoming for everyone to work, play and live.”

The event centre/arena site, along with the convention centre, will act as an anchor for the rest of the District development. The future Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system will connect the District to the entire city, boosting revitalization of the Downtown area.

 “The vision of an event and entertainment district is one of a shared public space where everyone feels comfortable and welcome,” he says.

The area would be developed sustainably with Indigenous placemaking a focus. By offering residents and visitors a gathering place for entertainment and events, with a variety of restaurants, venues, shopping and nightlife, Saskatoon’s Downtown will become an economic driver for the city and the province.

“The creation of a successful District will have significant benefits for Saskatoon — a new Downtown event centre/arena, a new or enhanced convention centre, and the future BRT are the key public infrastructure investments that will drive further investment in the Downtown area, in Saskatoon and in Saskatchewan.”

The report being considered by City Council can be found at saskatoon.ca/agendas. If approved, more information will be made available starting Tuesday, August 30 on saskatoon.ca/eventdistrict.

On September 1, 1972, the City of Saskatoon completed a $160,000 renovation to expand the Sutherland Forest Nursery Station to include an animal park. Since then, a wide variety of exotic species and western Canadian animals have called the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo home.

“It’s pretty amazing to look back and reflect on all of the animals that have become part of the Zoo family over the past 50 years,” says Jeff Mitchell, Zoo Manager. “We have had some amazing animal ambassadors over the years, including grizzly bears Mistaya and Koda who have called the Zoo home for more than 15 years”.

Since opening the expanded facility in 1972, the Zoo has become home to several species of animals. Some animals have incredible stories of survival like Sammis the pronghorn who was delivered via c-section by a conservation officer after his mother was hit by a car. Sammis was brought to the zoo where he was bottle fed and is now thriving as part of the pronghorn herd. Many other zoo residents like the red-tailed hawk, snowy owls and bald eagles sustained injuries preventing them from being able to survive in the wild, and several other species like the snow leopard and Goeldi’s monkeys participate in important conservation research and education programs to ensure the survival of their species.

To celebrate the milestone, the Zoo will be organizing a variety of enrichment activities for the animals at the Zoo and will be offering a special 50^th anniversary daily admission rate on Thursday, September 1, 2022. Daily admission rates will be $5 for adults (18+), $5 for youth (6-18) and $10 for families (a group of up to seven individuals with a maximum of 2 adults). Children under 6 always receive FREE admission to the Zoo. Parking fees will remain in effect at $4 per vehicle.

“Our animals will be very excited to see what our team has in store for them to mark the occasion,” says Mitchell. “Our zookeepers have been working on a variety of enrichment activities that will promote mental and physical stimulation and also provide an opportunity for the animals to participate in the celebrations. We encourage everyone to come out and visit our species ambassadors and see some of the fun activities we have in store for them.”

The Zoo is open daily from 9:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Visit saskatoon.ca/zoo to plan your visit.

Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo Background

Established in 1913, the Sutherland Forest Nursery Station researched and produced trees adapted for growth in the prairie climate. For over 50 years, millions of seedlings were grown and shipped to farms throughout the Prairie Provinces, helping to ensure the success of prairie farming by providing protection from harsh weather and beautification of the landscape. The Nursery Station was closed in 1965 and was purchased by the City of Saskatoon and re-opened in 1972 as the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo. Today, the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo is a National Historic Site boasting restored heritage buildings, carefully-crafted garden spaces and Saskatchewan’s only CAZA accredited zoo.

The Rock Your Roots Walk for Reconciliation has been rescheduled for September 30, following the cancellation on June 21 due to extreme weather. The event will take place on the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (September 30) between 10:00 and 11:30 a.m. The walk will begin at Central Urban Métis Federation Inc. (CUMFI) and end at the “Where our Paths Cross” Reconciliation Circle art installation in Victoria Park (across the road from 422 Spadina Cres W).

“The significance of a walk can be attributed to the Sunday walks in residential schools; this was often the only time when siblings and cousins of different genders might be reunited,” says Judy Pelly, a Residential School Survivor and member of the Rock Your Roots Walk organizing committee. “It’s meaningful to see Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples come together in this way.”

Rock Your Roots is put on by Reconciliation Saskatoon, which the City of Saskatoon co-chairs along with the Office of the Treaty Commissioner. The event, which has seen attendance in the thousands in past years, was first held in 2016. The intent of this event is to answer the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's Calls to Action by demonstrating a commitment to Reconciliation, honouring Residential School Survivors, and continuing work towards an inclusive community.

“This walk is an opportunity to learn about and honour First Nation and Métis residential school survivors,” says Shirley Isbister, President of Central Urban Métis Federation Inc. (CUMFI). “It’s an inclusive event that welcomes everyone to come out and participate. We look forward to being together.”

Individuals of all ages are invited to attend—alone or as part of a group. Workplaces and other organizations are encouraged to send a team and invited to come outfitted with banners showcasing their organization’s support for Reconciliation. Many schools will be closed for the day in honour of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation which presents an opportunity for parents to bring their children and partake in this powerful Reconciliation event together. Cultural performers will 'rock their roots' to start and end the walk, sharing their culture and showcasing Saskatoon's incredible diversity.

“Rock Your Roots is an opportunity to bring our community together to understand and be educated on residential schools and how they have negatively impacted Indigenous peoples,” says Saskatoon Tribal Chief Mark Arcand. “This walk is a symbol of Reconciliation and a commitment to change for the better, so that all people can have a good quality of life.”

“Rock Your Roots represents an acknowledgment of the multi-generational impacts of residential schools and a commitment to Reconciliation,” says Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark. “It’s a public demonstration of support for residential school attendees and those lost. It’s a promise to work towards a future that affords every member of our community equal opportunity.”

This event is open to all and there is no charge for participating. Walk participants are invited to wear their cultural dress or symbols, an EveryChildMatters shirt, or any other orange shirt. For the latest event information, follow the Rock Your Roots Facebook Event.

Members of City Council’s Standing Policy Committee on Finance will review options for setting the indicative rate for the 2022 and 2023 budget at a special meeting on August 31 at 1 p.m.

At the June 21, 2021, Governance and Priorities Committee (GPC) meeting, members asked for a deferral to set the indicative rates for 2022 and 2023 to a later date, in order to further explore options to address the property tax pressure residents and businesses face in this unprecedented year, and to recognize the funds required to maintain quality services and address strategic priorities of City Council.

Setting the indicative rate is not to finalize the property tax rates. It is the starting point in the budget building process and for 2022 and 2023, whereby the estimated rates presented are for a status quo budget. The estimated property tax rates presented at the June 21 GPC meeting of 5.96% in 2022 and 5.42% in 2023 are the rates required to keep all City services and service levels the same as what residents have been receiving. 

Input from residents and the business community is being welcomed as part of this review of the proposed indicative rates. Those wishing to participate or share their input on the 2022 and 2023 indicative rate may submit their intent in the following ways:

• Online through the Submit a Letter/Request to Speak to Council and Committees form
• By post or in person to: Office of the City Clerk, 222 - 3rd Avenue North, Saskatoon, SK S7K 0J5
• By fax to 306-975-2784

Interested residents and businesses are encouraged to contact the City Clerk's Office at 306-975-3240 to clarify the requirements for sharing input at this Special Meeting.

The indicative rate guides the Administration in preparing the multi-year budget to allocate resources to the services, programs and initiatives within Council’s priority areas outlined in its 2022-2025 Strategic Plan, which will be released in early fall. 

Visit saskatoon.ca/budget for more information on the City’s 2022/2023 Multi-Year Business Plan and Budget process.

On Monday, August 23, the Administration will present two information reports to the Governance and Priorities Committee (GPC). This is in response to the requests made by GPC at its June 21 meeting, that the Administration report back on the following:

• Implications for the funding and operations of waste programs, including the organics program, if funding for the organics program moved to a utility model.
• The option to outsource collections with an affordability threshold, including triple bottom line analysis, that reflects as many factors as possible to ensure that we achieve the best overall organics collection with price and service.

“We are thoroughly assessing all options as we implement this new service for residents, both financially and operationally, but also with our sustainability commitments in mind,” says Brendan Lemke, Director of Water and Waste Operations. “We welcome the opportunity to conduct further review, where necessary, and provide City Council with the information required to ensure the success of this program. After an unprecedented and challenging year, it is important that we ensure the decisions made in 2019 reflect and compliment the environment we are in today.”

The City established a contract with Green Prairie Environmental Ltd. in August 2020 to manage organics processing, while a decision on collections has yet to be made. The city-wide curbside residential organics program is expected to launch in spring 2023.

Administrative Reports & Attachments:

• Curbside Organics Collection: Affordability Threshold and Triple Bottom Line Approach to Tendering Collections
• Solid Waste Program Funding Models: Implications and Considerations for Change

Progress updates and a decision history can be found at saskatoon.ca/curbsideorganics.