News Releases

The City is pleased to announce the installation of new bike racks along Saskatoon’s historic 21^st Street that honour First Nations and Métis peoples’ histories and cultures.

The bike racks were created in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action No. 79:  Participate in a strategy to commemorate the contributions and history of Aboriginal peoples to Canada. 

Saskatoon is located on Treaty 6 Territory and Homeland of the Métis. As a way to honour this history, the City worked together with First Nations Elder, Harry Lafond, and Métis Elder, Senator Nora Cummings, to feature Treaty 6 Territory and Homeland of the Métis medals on bike racks along 21^st Street. These medals were chosen as meaningful symbols that could demonstrate respect for Saskatoon’s Indigenous histories on one of the city’s major historic streets.

“Thank you so much to Elders Senator Nora Cummings and Harry Lafond as well as the Saskatchewan Indigenous Cultural Centre and Gabriel Dumont Institute for partnering with the City of Saskatoon on this project. Our streets have a story to tell. Saskatoon’s story is about being a gathering place where First Nations, Métis and non-Indigenous people have come together over generations,” says Mayor Charlie Clark. “Bike racks can also be sculptures on our streets. This is a great way to use those sculptures to reveal a deeper history for our own residents and visitors to our city, right in the heart of the Downtown, here in Treaty 6 Territory and the Homeland of the Métis.”

“Saskatoon is a beautiful walking and cycling city. The new bike racks reflect the aesthetics of the city while expressing the reconciliation spirit of who we want to be as a community,” says First Nations Elder Harry Lafond. “The Truth and Reconciliation Commission has brought us to a place in our history to recognize thousands of years of settlement on the banks of the Saskatchewan River. We are experiencing the beauty of an intensifying diversity and with it the challenge to physically express our recognition of this gift throughout our growing city. The bike racks not only reflect the beauty of 21^st Street, but more importantly the spirit and beauty of who we want to become.”

"As Métis people, especially in the city, our history and our experiences have often been overlooked. We have never had a medal before, so for me it is exciting to see the City using this medal to honour our rich history and culture,” says Métis Senator Nora Cummings. “The medal includes symbols that are important to us as Métis people. By having these medals on the bike racks, it helps to educate others about our experiences here and to encourage pride amongst ourselves and especially amongst our young people. It’s important that they have pride in themselves, their history and their identity.”

The Saskatchewan Indigenous Cultural Centre and Gabriel Dumont Institute provided important historical information to explain the significance of the bike rack medals and the history of First Nations and Métis peoples in Saskatoon and surrounding area. 

With the support of the Downtown Saskatoon Business Improvement District, this information is posted in the directories along 21^st Street.  

“Downtown Saskatoon is proud that historic 21^st Street was chosen for this project and that needed infrastructure was constructed in such a way to commemorate the many contributions of Indigenous peoples to Canada,” says Brent Penner, Executive Director of Downtown Saskatoon. “Downtown Saskatoon is a connected community, offering a #PlaceToBelong to all our neighbours.”

For more information on the Treaty 6 Territory and Homeland of the Métis bike rack project and to learn more about the history of First Nations and Métis peoples in Saskatoon and surrounding area, visit saskatoon.ca/medals.

The Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo (Zoo) is excited to introduce the newest members of the Zoo family – bobcats Sherlock and Watson! These two brothers were born in 2021 at the Zoo Sauvage de Saint Felicien and are just under one year old.

“We are very fortunate to have Sherlock and Watson join the Zoo family,” says Jeff Mitchell, Zoo Manager. “The pair arrived safely at the Zoo this morning and will be introduced to their new temporary home in the vacant eagle exhibit before transferring to their permanent home later this summer.”

Bobcats get their name from their short, bobbed tail and are found mostly in North America in mountainous forest regions. They weigh anywhere from 6.5 to 18 kilograms and can jump over 3 metres high. Their diet consists mainly of rodents, birds and fish and are known as ambush predators that stalk and hunt their prey with an element of surprise.  

Preparations for the bobcats’ arrival started this spring with renovations to the previous lynx exhibit. The former lynx exhibit is being transformed into a new space for the bobcats that will feature a new house and dedicated play area for the bobcats to enjoy. For now, Sherlock and Watson will get to enjoy exploring the caves and terrain in the vacant eagle exhibit until the renovations to their permanent home are completed this summer.

Visitors to the Zoo will notice a perimeter buffer surrounding the temporary bobcat exhibit. This buffer helps to maintain physical distance between the public and the bobcats as cat species such as bobcats and lynx are susceptible to COVID-19. 

“Taking precautionary measures like maintaining a safe physical distance is an important part of keeping our animals safe,” says Jeff Mitchell. “The level of risk among species varies, and we take every necessary step to ensure the health and safety of the animals in our care.”

The Zoo is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Visit saskatoon.ca/zoo to plan your next visit or learn more about the Zoo Season Pass.

The City's Naming Committee has selected what is thought to be the first Michif street name in Saskatoon. The name "Shakamohtaa" (shaa-KAM'-moh-TAHH') was assigned to a street in the southeast quadrant of Brighton. “Shakamohtaa” is the Michif word for “connect” and symbolizes the importance of coming together and building relationships.

The Métis in Saskatchewan speak three Michif languages. The most widely known Michif is a Cree-French mixed language composed of Plains Cree (nêhiyawêwin) with some Plains Ojibway (nakawēmowin) verbs/verb phrases and French (with some English) nouns/noun phrases. A world-renowned language, Michif is spoken in all three prairie provinces and into Montana and North Dakota. Michif-French—which is a French-based language blended with an Algonquian syntax—is spoken by the Métis in Batoche/St. Louis, Saskatchewan and in St. Laurent and St. Eustache, Manitoba. Northern Michif—a Cree-based language with a small amount of French word (noun) borrowings—is spoken in the northwest corner of Saskatchewan, with most speakers living in or near Ile-à-la Crosse, Buffalo Narrows, Beauval, and Green Lake. (SOURCE: Gabriel Dumont Institute)

“The Michif language is an integral language to this land,” says Mayor Clark. “While it is long overdue, I am glad we will see the Michif language reflected on this street in Brighton. Imagine the impact for kids growing up in this neighbourhood, living on or near Shakamohtaa Street. They will feel a greater connection to these roots and the beauty of the Michif language.”

Harriet St. Pierre, a Métis Elder who has spent most of her life living in Saskatoon, says: “I am happy that the City of Saskatoon is using our Métis language. It is our Michif language that gives us a community, culture, nation, and sense of belonging – all of which makes us Métis. This makes me very proud to have a street named in our language Michif; it will make a lot of Métis Elders and Nations very happy. It’s a good start to learning more about and understanding our Métis people and culture; I look forward to seeing more like this in the future.”

The Civic Naming Committee is comprised of three members of Council and non-voting administrators who provide support and information. The Committee’s mandate is to review all requests and suggestions for naming municipally-owned or controlled facilities, streets, developments, neighbourhoods and parks. The Naming Committee works with the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee to ensure there is representation from all segments of our population.

Since street names are selected during the neighbourhood planning stage, the physical street does not yet exist anywhere other than on planning maps. It’s expected that the road will be in place along with its accompanying street sign in about two years’ time. Please see the below map to see where Shakamohtaa Street will be located.

Over the next week, the City of Saskatoon will be mailing out Amended Assessment Notices to commercial property owners where an update to the assessed value of their property is required for a full year.

“We’ve had several longstanding commercial assessment appeal decisions ruled on by the Court of Appeal and these also affected the Board of Revision in 2021,” says Bryce Trew, City Assessor. “This has led to implications for retail, warehouse and office buildings greater than 5800 square feet.”

Property owners who receive an Amended Assessment Notice will have a 30-Day Assessment Review and Appeal period from the date an Amended or Supplementary Notice is mailed to them in which to file a formal appeal on their property's assessment. 

“It's important to note that not all commercial property assessments changed as a result of the recently finalized appeal decisions,” adds Trew. “If an assessment changed in 2022, it could be because of physical alterations to the property such as new builds, additions, renovations, or demolitions, changes in tax status or ownership, and/or a Board of Revision decision.”

Currently, there are Board of Revision appeals from 2021 that are with the Saskatchewan Municipal Board. Appeals filed in 2022 are with the Board of Revision. If decisions from these appeals require further changes to assessment models, property owners will be issued amended notices.

Following the provincially legislated reassessment year in 2021, property owners who since January 1, 2021, had a change in the assessment, tax status, or ownership of their property would have received a 2022 Assessment Notice earlier this year. The 2022 Assessment Roll was open until February 4, 2022, also the deadline to file a commercial or residential 2022 appeal with the Board of Revision. The Province is on a four-year assessment cycle with current property assessments in place from 2021 to 2024.

Visit saskatoon.ca/assessment for more information or contact 306-975-3227 for assessment-related questions. We’re here to help.

We all know last – and this – year, has been challenging, ever-changing and unprecedented for everyone as we continue to help each other as one community. Many people have spent many days working and even living apart from family, friends and neighbours to protect each other’s health and safety.

The City of Saskatoon is proud to have kept delivering the civic services, programs and communication that residents rely on every day; we are fortunate to have kept service disruptions to a minimum during the pandemic while following guidelines set by the provincial Public Health Orders.

So now -- more than ever – over the course of two surveys we'd like to hear the thoughts and opinions of Saskatoon residents on a wide variety of topics including how we are delivering services, programs, and communication.

• How satisfied are you living in Saskatoon?
• How satisfied are you with the quality of the services provided by the City?
• What is your perception of quality of life in Saskatoon?
• What do you believe is the most important issue facing the City?
• Your opinions on the City’s performance in various areas such as communications, engagement, online services, community safety, mobility and growth
• Opinions on how the City is doing on delivering 29 different services
• Feedback on civic service priorities
• Preferences on level of service in 12 different areas

The City is conducting two public surveys in the first half of 2021: 

• Civic Satisfaction & Performance Survey #1 open April 19- May 23
• Civic Services Survey #2: Performance, Priorities & Preferences

These civic surveys are one way the City can check in with residents to gather input and better understand the needs and perceptions of community members. Your survey responses help us identify priority areas, areas where we can continue to improve, and much more.            

Both surveys will be conducted through telephone and a professional online panel to collect survey data that is reliable, valid and representative of our community.  In addition, the survey is open for public feedback on saskatoon.ca/engage for all interested residents over the age of 18 to participate.  The Civic Satisfaction & Performance survey opens today and the survey takes approximately 10-15 minutes to complete. 

Saskatoon residents: if you are 18 years old or more you may be contacted over the telephone by a research firm interviewer asking you to complete the Civic Satisfaction & Performance Survey.

The City’s civic surveys were last conducted in 2018. The surveys were scheduled to be conducted in summer 2020 however due to the City's pause on public engagement in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the surveys had to be delayed until 2021.

Results from the 2021 surveys will be compared to past surveys to determine trends. Review the results of the 2018 Civic Surveys. 

Visit saskatoon.ca/engage to complete your 2021 Civic Satisfaction & Performance Survey. Phone inquiries please call 306-975-2476.

Canadians everywhere have felt the impact of COVID-19 on their families, their livelihoods, and their way of life. Canada and Saskatchewan have worked together to ensure health and safety, support families and businesses, and sustain local economies.  Investments in infrastructure for the Saskatoon area during this extraordinary time provide an opportunity to make public facilities and utility networks more sustainable, improve the environment and quality of life, and create jobs at a time when they are needed most.

Today, Jim Carr, the Government of Canada's Special Representative for the Prairies, on behalf of Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, Saskatchewan's Government Relations Minister Don McMorris, and City of Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark, announced more than $102 million in joint funding for 11 green infrastructure and COVID-19 resilience projects.

The green infrastructure projects include upgrades to drinking water and wastewater systems, improvements to solid waste management, sidewalk expansion, and a new solar power plant.  Several of those projects will help provide long-term reliable services to local communities while also contributing to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

Three projects are receiving funding under the new COVID-19 Resilience Stream.  Among those, the Meewasin Trail Enhancements project will increase the capacity and accessibility of the Meewasin trail network, which has seen an important increase in usage since the start of the pandemic.  The Kinsmen Riverfront, Downtown Core, Southwest and River Heights sectors will all be expanded, and new equipment will be added to increase visitor safety and comfort.

Providing communities with reliable, ecofriendly, and sustainable infrastructure is a shared priority for both governments.  The Government of Canada is investing more than $41.1 million in these 11 projects through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.  For the projects requiring consultations with Indigenous groups, funding is conditional on all consultation requirements being met. The Government of Saskatchewan is investing more than $34.3 million toward these projects.  The City of Saskatoon is providing $25.8 million to support seven of these projects.

"Through our collaboration with our provincial and municipal partners, we are funding important infrastructure projects in Saskatoon," said Carr.  "With the COVID-19 Resilience Stream, we are also responding to the impacts of the pandemic through flexible and accelerated investments in key infrastructure upgrades as quickly as possible.  The funding announced today will help communities build back better, create jobs, and build cleaner, more inclusive communities."

"The Government of Saskatchewan is proud to be directly investing more than $34.3 million into the City of Saskatoon and the surrounding area," McMorris said.  "Infrastructure projects like these, not only protect the local economy as it recovers from the affects of the COVID-19 pandemic, but also helps build a strong and growing province."

"These investments of more than $100 million come at a crucial time for helping drive economic recovery and helping position the Saskatoon region for a strong future," Clark said.  "Our community is very grateful for this support from both the Federal and Provincial Governments.  These projects will improve our core infrastructure and ability to provide services, help make Saskatoon build toward a more sustainable lower-carbon future, and promote more health and activity for families."

"On behalf of Meewasin's board, staff and the broader community, we want to thank the Provincial and Federal governments for making investments into important trail infrastructure," Meewasin Board of Directors Chair Colin Tennent said.  "The Meewasin Trail network is built with goals for the lowest possible environmental impact and highest standards for safety and accessibility.  Meewasin recorded almost two million visits in 2020, seeing increased demand during the pandemic.  The planned enhancements are invaluable outdoor spaces where community members and future visitors can stay active, learn about the environment, and experience nature that supports physical and mental wellbeing."

Quick facts:

• Through the Investing in Canada plan, the federal government is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada's rural and northern communities.
• In Saskatchewan, the Government of Canada has invested more than $773 million in more than 450 infrastructure projects since 2015 under the Investing in Canada Plan.

Backgrounder:

Project List https://www.canada.ca/en/office-infrastructure/news/2021/04/backgrounder-residents-of-saskatoon-area-to-benefit-from-upgrades-to-water-wastewater-and-solid-waste-infrastructure-and-other-community-and-green-.html

Associated links:

• Investing in Canada: Canada's Long-Term Infrastructure Plan http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/icp-publication-pic-eng.html
• Investing in Canada Plan Project Map http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map
• Federal infrastructure investments in Saskatchewan https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/prog-proj-sk-eng.html

As the City continues to finalize its vision of a vibrant Downtown into the future, some key components are clear and will require:

• A new entertainment facility/arena
• A convention centre
• A high functioning transit system (including Bus Rapid Transit)

Other Downtown priorities include upgrades to roadway, walking and cycling infrastructure, Fire Hall #1 replacement, advancement of the outdoor festival sites along the riverbank, and reducing homelessness.

Achieving this vision of enhanced vibrancy Downtown is fundamental to the City’s future success.  We have been and continue to be a destination city because of the vision and amenities put in place by our predecessors. Approximately 50 years ago, the train station became Midtown Plaza, Sid Buckwold Bridge opened, and the Meewasin vision became a reality. This is a similar moment in the City’s life, planning for a Downtown that will meet the needs of the future. To maintain our competitive advantage and position, we must continue to provide world class amenities that support our quality of life and our economic foundation.

In a report for the Governance and Priorities Committee, three main projects -- an arena, a convention centre, and the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system -- are outlined as key priorities with the potential to transform Downtown, boost our economy, and further increase our attractiveness and improve our quality of life.

“Sasktel Centre and TCU Place are both nearing the end of their useful service lives and, without substantial renovations, cannot maintain market competitiveness in their current state,” says Lesley Anderson, Director of Planning and Development.

“Locating a new arena Downtown would have many mutual benefits for other major facilities such as the convention centre, and existing Downtown attractions including dining, hotels, and retail – creating the conditions for a fully-animated event and entertainment district.”

“A Bus Rapid Transit system, which has already received City Council approval to proceed, is an integral piece of building a successful and thriving entertainment district in Downtown Saskatoon,” notes Dan Willems, Director of Technical Services.

“Advancing a plan to provide core entertainment amenities located in Downtown which are supported by a rapid, reliable transit system will strengthen our position as a destination city.”

Construction of these types of amenities has been accomplished in many other jurisdictions through use of multiple funding streams, many of which have not been used before in Saskatoon.  Examples of funding tools used elsewhere for similar projects include taxes on hotel room and other short-term accommodation rentals, motor vehicle rental charges, and tax increment financing, to name a few.  Exploration and implementation of non-traditional funding sources will be key to achieving the vision of Saskatoon’s future in a way that minimizes reliance on property tax.

The Administration estimates that over a 25 year-period, there will be the potential for significant revenue generated to offset the need to rely on property taxes for these projects. These sources include a combination of new possible revenue streams and existing funding, such as the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program contributions expected from all three levels of government.  This combination of funding would be more than enough to cover the estimated costs of a new downtown arena, upgraded convention centre, and BRT.

“The aim of this funding/financing strategy is to minimize contributions from property taxes to pay for the bundle of sub-projects within this transformational project. It also attempts to improve fairness by generating revenues from those who benefit from the amenities, particularly, non-residents who tend to benefit from tourism-based infrastructure,” says Mike Jordan, Chief Public Policy and Government Relations Officer.

“However, achieving this outcome requires a substantial long-term investment and a partnership between the City, other orders of government, and industry.” 

The report will be presented to GPC at its April 19 meeting.

After more than two years, Saskatoon City Council and its Committees will resume in-person meetings in April and will reopen Council Chamber to the public. Meetings have been conducted virtually online since shortly after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“With COVID-19 restrictions lifting, it’s exciting to welcome back Council members and members of the public to attend City Council proceedings in Council Chamber or to other public committee meetings,” says Adam Tittemore, City Clerk. “While there are no COVID-related restrictions or a capacity limit in Chambers at present, public visitors may still choose to physically distance themselves and or wear an optional face-covering.”

Meeting participants and the public will have the option to attend upcoming meetings in person or virtually from another location. City Council proceedings will continue to be made available for public viewing via a live stream video link.

To add greater accessibility to City Council’s live-streamed video of public meetings, the City has added a closed captioning service whereby people with impaired hearing can toggle the “cc” icon on or off to make text appear on the screen below the video. Closed captioning may at times convey inaccurate spellings or words interpreted incorrectly due to the technology or speaker. “The City is committed to providing an open municipal government and this includes adding accessibility supports to best serve all members of the community,” adds Tittemore.

Visitor Screening Procedures introduced pre-pandemic will also be in place, including the visual bag inspection, for the public attending Council Chambers for City Council or Committee meetings. This safety measure is the City’s commitment to making Council Chamber as open, accessible and secure as possible for all visitors and City employees.

Helpful Links

Interacting with City Council & Committees

Watch live-streamed video of public City Council meetings

Agendas, minutes, past videos

Email City Clerks

Contact City Clerk’s Office

Visit saskatoon.ca .

With the help of careful spending and provincial and federal financial support, the City will be able to cover a $701,813 deficit with a transfer from the Fiscal Stabilization Reserve.

Details of the financial strategy’s outcome are in a report for the City’s Standing Policy Committee on Finance April 12 meeting. The report outlines the 2020 fiscal year-end subject to the confirmation of the external audit.  

“Without a doubt, 2020 was a challenging year for the City,” says Kari Smith, Director of Finance. “The COVID-19 pandemic, a major blizzard, implementation of our new FUSION Enterprise Resource Planning system and the 2020 civic election all presented significant financial impacts on our operations and organization.”

“Through the assistance of the provincial and federal governments and the results of our discretionary hiring and spending restrictions throughout most of 2020, the Administration made some astute fiscal projections given the information we had on hand at the beginning of the pandemic.”

2020 Preliminary Year-End Financials at a Glance

The deficit remaining for the year ended December 31, 2020, is $701,813, which the Administration recommends being funded from the Fiscal Stabilization Reserve. Included in this deficit is the $15 million reduction in the transfer to the Paved Roadways Infrastructure Reserve by using the Municipal Economic Enhancement Program (MEEP) funding to replace the reduction of the reserve contribution for the Paved Roadways program. This also assumes that the following recommended items will be approved by City Council:

• The transfer from the Snow and Ice Management Contingency Reserve as per Council Policy No. C03-003 in the amount of $3,453,144; and

• Waiving the transfer to the Internal Audit Program Reserve for $316,740.

“We view the 2020 Preliminary Year-End Financials as having a successful overall result, considering the extensive costs incurred due to cleanup of the 2020 blizzard, which resulted in the Snow and Ice Program being more than $10 million overspent, all included as part of the 2020 year-end figures,” Smith says.

The Administration recommends the City’s Fiscal Stabilization Reserve be used to cover the remaining $701,813 deficit leaving just over $4 million in that reserve. 

The transfer of funds to the Fiscal Stabilization Reserve is an annual process based on Council Policy. It helps offset any tax-supported operating deficits incurred in a year.

“Several of the challenges presented to the City proved difficult to predict, given we had no previous historical data to rely on. We will continue our prudent fiscal management, accountability, and transparency, which will allow for the strengthening of this important Reserve as we navigate 2021 and the ongoing economic impacts of the pandemic,” adds Smith.

City utilities posted surpluses and the Saskatoon Police Service was under budget by $914,000.  All three of the controlled corporations (SaskTel Centre, TCU Place, and Remai Modern) were able to cover their deficits through their own means, having no impact on the City’s year-end results.   

View Preliminary Year-End Results Year Ending December 31, 2020

View all surpluses and variances within the Detailed Overview of Preliminary Year-End Financial Results

Visit saskatoon.ca