News Releases

Once again, SGI and Saskatoon Transit have partnered to offer free late-night transit service on New Year’s Eve.

“Having free Transit service on New Year’s Eve removes any financial barrier to planning a safe ride home after a night out,” says Jim McDonald, Director, Saskatoon Transit. “We encourage everyone to plan their route before heading out using the real-time mobile app Transit.”   

Residents are encouraged to think about using a variety of transportation modes on busy nights like New Year’s Eve. Multi-modal options are available on the Transit app. You can plan your trip taking the bus out of the downtown or busy areas and book your ride share for the short distance home all from inside the app. Transit+ seamlessly integrates a Riide vehicle with a transit connection, hailing a Riide to connect your bus journey with a vehicle for hire.

By combining modes of transportation residents can minimize wait times and costs.

Free bus service will be available on Friday, December 31, from 7:00 p.m. until 3:00 a.m. on January 1 (times may vary slightly by route).

Masks are required on Transit. Click here for more information on current health and safety measures in place on Saskatoon Transit.

For a transit schedule go to SaskatoonTranist.ca/route-and-schedules, use the transit app or call 306.975.3100 for help with trip planning.

“I can’t stress this enough: plan for a safe ride home. There is no reason for impaired driving, especially on New Year’s Eve,” McDonald says. “We are thankful to have SGI as a partner in providing free transit service on New Year’s Eve.”

Access Transit is free for registered customers as well but must be reserved.

Beginning in Fall 2020, Saskatoon Light & Power (SL&P) started a project to replace more than 17,000 of its current high-pressure sodium (HPS) street light fixtures with light-emitting diode (LED) technology in residential neighbourhoods, commercial areas and along major streets. The two-year project will cost $6.12 million with forty per cent of the cost paid for by the Federal Government’s Low Carbon Economy Fund. 

“The Government of Canada is committed to supporting Saskatchewanians in rebuilding from the pandemic, creating jobs and building more resilient communities”, says the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Environment and Climate Change. “Today, our government is investing over $2.4M to help the City of Saskatoon install more than 17,000 LED lightbulbs in existing streetlights. Doing so will create jobs for the people of Saskatoon, reduce pollution and make our air cleaner. We are pleased to partner with Mayor Clark in this endeavor.”

Over the lifetime of this project, the City will see a cumulative reduction of about 114,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions, the equivalent to removing approximately 35,000 passenger cars off the road for one year.

“There is a real opportunity to make changes in Saskatoon that will benefit residents, businesses and future generations by working to build a resilient and sustainable community. The LED streetlight conversion project is a concrete example of an initiative that reduces emissions, saves money and creates jobs—and this is only one of the many possibilities that exists as we tackle climate change” says Mayor Charlie Clark. “My thanks to the federal government for helping to make this initiative a reality in our community so we can see all of these benefits more quickly.”

The remaining $3.7 million will be covered by a green loan that would be paid back by cost savings, which are estimated at $849,000 a year once all the fixtures are replaced.

“Saskatoon Light and Power is excited to begin the LED conversion project, which is one of the goals set out in the Low Emissions Community Plan to reduce the amount of greenhouse gases produced in Saskatoon. To date, approximately five thousand LED fixtures have been installed under this program in neighbourhoods and roads served by Saskatoon Light & Power,” says Trevor Bell, Director of Saskatoon Light & Power.

As work commences, residents throughout Saskatoon will notice SL&P’s “What’s the Bright Idea” campaign, which aims to inform the importance of LED fixtures for the community, including:

• 60% less energy used;
• Dark sky compliance;
• Reduced maintenance costs;
• 100,000 hours of light; and
• Increased lifespan.

The lights that are not addressed in the program include decorative lights downtown, lights along freeways, in pedestrian tunnels, under overpasses and floodlights.

Quick facts

• The City of Saskatoon is installing LED technology on all new street and pathway lighting.
• The LED fixtures use less energy than the existing HPS and metal halide fixtures.

Associated links

• Low Carbon Economy Fund
• Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change
• Canada’s strengthened climate plan: A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy

For more information on the project, visit: saskatoon.ca/slp.

For more City of Saskatoon news, program information, Service Alerts, Traffic Detours, and links to our social media channels, please visit saskatoon.ca.

City Council recently approved free parking on Saturdays in City-managed public pay parking areas throughout Saskatoon starting December 12, 2020, and ending March 27, 2021.

Parking customers are reminded that all other parking requirements remain in effect, including parking time limits. Parking Enforcement staff will continue to monitor and ticket vehicles parked in:

• a parking space for longer than the posted time limit
• reserved or accessible parking spaces without the required permit
• “No Stopping” or “No Parking” zones
• alleys (unless actively loading or unloading)

Pay parking remains in effect on lots operated by third party operators or commercial lots. 

For more information on Public Pay Parking, visit saskatoon.ca/payparking.

At its Budget Meetings on December 2 and 3, City Council approved funding for the Take It Outside Winter Animation Fund to provide immediate support to community organizations wishing to host safe outdoor activities in Saskatoon during the Winter 2020/21 season.

As part of the Take It Outside Winter Animation Fund, a total of $175,000 is currently available to non-profit organizations, ad hoc groups, businesses, or for-profit organizations through two different grant programs:

• The Take It Outside Grant program provides up to $25,000 in funding for projects that take place between December 17, 2020 to March 31, 2021. The application deadline to apply for funds is December 14, 2020.

• The Take It Outside Micro-Grant program provides up to $3,000 in funding for projects that take place between December 5, 2020 to March 31, 2021. All eligible projects will receive funding on a first come, first served basis.

For more information on the Take It Outside Grant and Take It Outside Micro-Grant programs, including eligibility requirements, visit saskatoon.ca/grants.

The Take It Outside Winter Animation Fund supports the goals and objectives of the WintercityYXE Strategy. The Strategy is an intentional effort by the City and the community to celebrate what makes Saskatoon an inviting, vibrant, safe and prosperous place in the winter, while working together to reduce the barriers that many people face during the coldest months of the year.

For information on the WintercityYXE Strategy, visit saskatoon.ca/wintercityyxe.

Making parts of downtown more pedestrian-friendly, creating diversified housing close to the riverfront, and repurposing barren or underused properties to meet community needs are among key ideas gleaned in a study on making downtown Saskatoon a more desirable place to live.

“The goal was to understand, from people who live downtown or would consider living there, what about the area makes it an attractive option and what barriers exist to people from falling in love with the idea of living a downtown urban lifestyle,” said University of Saskatchewan (USask) researcher Ryan Walker.

The project, which involved an online survey of 470 residents in downtown Saskatoon and 10 other neighbourhoods, as well as five focus group discussions via videoconference, was funded by Research Junction, a joint initiative by USask and City of Saskatoon (City).

“Sustainable growth is a strategic goal for the City, and enhancing downtown as a residential environment and getting more people living there is a priority,” said the City’s Director of Planning and Development, Lesley Anderson.

Among the key findings:

• The South Saskatchewan River and Meewasin Valley are downtown’s biggest assets, and people want to live within a few blocks of them. Amenities such as an expanded network of public spaces should be programmed with interesting things to do in all seasons.
   
• The convenient lifestyle of proximity to work, school, retail, businesses, services, and action at venues such as restaurants, bars and other public amenities are top reasons to live downtown.
   
• Diversified housing options in terms of architectural style, on-site amenities, and price points, especially in the mid-range suitable for families are in short supply. A push to develop barren lots and underused buildings is needed.
   
• The art gallery, theatre, and public library facilities are important public and private investments for a downtown urban lifestyle.
   
• Downtown respondents felt they aren’t in close community contact with business owners and are often not perceived as a target market.

Building an environment that attracts more people to live downtown can make residents a key target market, and change the debate around issues such as transit, bike lanes and parking, said Walker, principal investigator and professor in the department of geography and planning in the College of Arts and Science. Graduate student Zoe Hagen was co-investigator.

While the lack of grocery stores and feelings of being unsafe in the area remain predominant concerns, he said these challenges, especially about safety, aren’t insurmountable.

“The best way to resolve the perception of a decline in safety is to be persistent and continue to really promote residential development,” Walker said. “When you have people living downtown in higher numbers, there’s more passive street surveillance and a sense of community. The issues of safety perception sort of resolve themselves.”

Anderson said the City will use the findings from this research to help in the planning of major and minor projects downtown, including streetscape and public realm projects, as well as the upcoming Downtown Arena and Entertainment District master plan.

City Council approved an adjusted City Budget for 2021 on December 3, 2020 after two days of review, debate and strategic decision-making. As part of the new two-year budget cycle, City Council was able to revisit the 2020-2021 Multi-Year Business Plan and Budget’s Operating and Capital plans (previously approved November 2019) in this second budget year to adjust to any unanticipated external factors of significant impact on the City’s 2021 Budget. The financial impact the pandemic left on City operations was key to consider in the 2021 Budget review process.

“Council’s approved 2021 Budget helps to minimize the tax burden on residents and maximize value for services from taxpayer dollars,” says Mayor Charlie Clark. “Considering this challenging time, Council approved investments tied to providing a quality of life in our city with dedicated resources for affordable housing, and support for our local economic recovery.”

The Administration had proposed an adjusted budget with a strategy to absorb extra costs related to the pandemic and balance the budget with the Safe Restart funding the City received. The proposed budget adjustments ensured the previously approved 3.87 per cent property tax rate would not increase in 2021. Yet with so much uncertainty and the challenges of the pandemic, City Council sharpened its pencil to reduce expenditures and increase affordability. 

“The approved 2021 Budget reflects strategic investments made by Council to stimulate Saskatoon’s economy and build a strong future for our community,” adds Clark. “The 2021 Budget is balanced and while expenses were lowered in some areas, the budget continues to meet the needs of services and programs for our growing city.”

Council balanced its decisions with fiscal constraint and focused on continuing to provide strong services tied to investments to provide quality of life in Saskatoon.

Highlights and Adjustments made in the 2021 Approved Budget

Council shaved the municipal property tax rate by 1.04 per cent from the originally approved 3.87 per cent. The new municipal property tax of 2.83 per cent is the lowest rate since 2006. For a homeowner with an average assessment value of $371,000, the new rate results in $55.37/year or $4.61/month.

The adjustments made include:

• Removal of $2,558,100 from the overall budget as a global adjustment.
• $100,000 invested towards the innovative Affordable Housing Program
• $71,000 removed from the travel and car allowance budgets for Mayor and Council
• $65,000 allocated for additional berm mowing to ensure service levels are met
• $199,300 removed from the Saskatoon Police Service proposed budget
• Council approved free parking in the downtown core and business improvement districts on Saturdays from January 1 to March 31, 2021

2021 Total Operating & Capital Budget:

Civic Operating:  $540,877,400
Utility Operating: $369,024,600
Land Operating:  $5,738,800
Total Operating: $915,640,800
Total Capital:  $284,640,200
TOTAL OPERATING AND CAPITAL BUDGETS:  $1,200,281,000

2021 Capital Budget Adjustments

City Council approved reductions to the 2021 Capital Budget in the amount of $9.96 million, taking the total Capital Budget from $294.61 million to $284.64 million.

Visit saskatoon.ca/budget for more information.

Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the need for affordable housing and led to rising levels of homelessness. The Government of Canada created a national strategy to build hundreds of thousands of units and provide affordable housing to people across the country. By continuing to make investments in affordable housing, the government is building stronger communities, creating jobs, and growing our middle class, while fighting homelessness and helping vulnerable Canadians.

The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion, Marv Friesen, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Saskatoon Riversdale, and Charlie Clark, Mayor of Saskatoon, today announced $7.5 million to create an estimated of 32 new affordable homes for individuals and families in Saskatoon through the Cities Stream under expanded Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI). These housing units will support Canadians who are in uncertain housing situations, experiencing or at risk of homelessness, or living in temporary shelters because of the pandemic.

The building for Cress Housing Corporation will be located at 115 Columbian Place and the building for Central Urban Métis Federation Inc. will be located at 1520 19^th Street West. All 32 units will be targeted at Indigenous People and of those units, 9 will be for Indigenous women and their children. For both projects, substantial completion of construction is expected by Fall 2022.

This new investment will create thousands of good jobs in the housing and construction sector, grow the middle class, and build back stronger communities, while getting us closer to our goal of eliminating chronic homelessness in Canada.

Quotes:

“Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. Today's funding through the Rapid Housing Initiative will go a long way to support those who need it most by quickly providing nearly 32 new affordable homes for vulnerable individuals and families in Saskatoon to keep them safe. This is one of the ways our National Housing Strategy continues to ensure no one is left behind.” – The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)

“The Government of Saskatchewan and Saskatchewan Housing Corporation are proud to support the important work of Cress Housing Corporation and Central Urban Metis Federation Inc. through the Saskatchewan Co-Investment Program. This investment will develop a total of 32 new housing units in Saskatoon and will provide more affordable housing options for individuals and families in need. This is an important step towards achieving our goals in the Provincial Housing Strategy to support those in greatest housing need.” – The Honourable Lori Carr, Saskatchewan Minister of Social Services and Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation

“Everyone deserves a roof over their head and a safe place to call home. Today’s announcement of additional funding through the Rapid Housing Initiative will have a huge impact on our most vulnerable citizens who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of being homeless. The availability of affordable housing is scarce in our region. These new homes will make a difference in ending the cycle of homelessness. I would like to thank the federal government for their ongoing support and commitment to creating affordable housing for our most vulnerable individuals and families.” – George Chahal, Member of Parliament for Calgary Skyview

“It has become clear that one of the biggest gaps in the housing continuum in Saskatoon is supportive housing.  People struggling with trauma, addictions and mental health need to have safe and stable housing. These two Rapid Housing Initiative Projects will play a crucial role in helping fill this gap in our community. Thank you to the Federal Government for the funding support and to City staff, SaskHousing and partners for your hard work facilitating this application process.” – Charlie Clark, Mayor of Saskatoon

"We plan for a two-storey, 18-unit facility that will serve single males who are disproportionately represented in the homeless population. This supported living facility includes a family/cultural space, along with office and meeting spaces on the main level. STC and our member Chiefs are proud to have Cress Housing Corporation serve as a proponent of this project contributing to this important work that improves the quality of life for people." – Saskatoon Tribal Council Chief Mark Arcand, Cress Housing Corporation

“We are very pleased to be participating in the Rapid Housing Initiative. With this funding, CUMFI will be able to provide fourteen suites for families at risk of homelessness, with nine homes specifically for Indigenous women and children. By providing a supportive living environment, CUMFI’s goal is for families to have a roof over their head and food on the table, so they can begin to think about education, employment and feeling that they are part of a caring community.” – Shirley Isbister, President of Central Urban Métis Federation Inc.

Quick facts:

• The RHI is delivered by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), under the National Housing Strategy (NHS). 
• Canada’s NHS is an ambitious, 10-year plan that will invest over $72 billion to give more Canadians a place to call home. Launched in 2017, the NHS will build and repair thousands of housing units, and help households with affordability support. 
• The RHI is a $1 billion program launched in October 2020 to help address urgent housing needs of vulnerable Canadians, especially in the context of COVID-19, through the rapid construction of affordable housing.
• Due to this success, an additional $1.5 billion for the Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI) was announced through Budget 2021 with $500 million in funding under the Cities Stream being allocated
• to the following municipalities: Burnaby, Calgary, Capital Regional District, Durham, Edmonton, Gatineau, Greater Sudbury, Halifax, Hamilton, Iqaluit, Kingston, Laval, London, Longueil, Montreal, Niagara, Ottawa, Peel, Quebec, Regina, Saskatoon, Surrey, St. John’s, Toronto, Vancouver, Waterloo, Whitehorse, Windsor, Winnipeg, and Yellowknife. Under the Projects Stream: $1 billion has been allocated to eligible applications submitted during the RHI’s initial application period last fall and having not yet received funding.
• Based on feedback from stakeholders, this summer CMHC introduced new flexibilities to the RHI: 
  • Program applicants were eligible to receive funding for additional forms of new construction beyond modular, if units can be built within 12 months.
  • Non-profits had the opportunity to demonstrate that they have the financial capacity to support the viability of units without government subsidy (self-funded). 
  • Cities were provided a longer time to submit projects (60 days instead of 30).
  • Project delivery timelines were adjusted for projects located in the North and special access communities.
• At least 25 per cent of this new funding will go toward women-focused housing projects. The units will be built within 12 months of when funding is provided to program applicants.
• The RHI will continue to prioritize proposals that target units serving Indigenous peoples and other vulnerable groups. It will also continue to provide flexibilities on timelines to Indigenous governing bodies or organizations as needed.
• The RHI takes a human rights-based approach to housing, serving people experiencing or at risk of homelessness and other vulnerable people under the NHS, including: women and children fleeing domestic violence, seniors, young adults, Indigenous peoples, people with disabilities, people experiencing mental health and addiction issues, veterans, LGBTQ2 individuals, racialized and Black Canadians, and recent immigrants or refugees.
• CMHC supports the government’s efforts to improve the well-being of Canadians facing housing and homelessness challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Associated links:

• Rapid Housing Initiative  
• National Housing Strategy 
• New Rapid Housing Initiative to create up to 3,000 new homes for Canadians 
• Rapid Housing Initiative will exceed targets by creating more than 4,700 new homes for Canadians 
• Budget 2021: A Recovery Plan for Jobs, Growth, and Resilience 

As Canada’s authority on housing, CMHC contributes to the stability of the housing market and financial system, provides support for Canadians in housing need, and offers unbiased housing research and advice to all levels of Canadian government, consumers and the housing industry. CMHC’s aim is that by 2030, everyone in Canada has a home they can afford, and that meets their needs. For more information, follow CMHC on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Saskatoon City Council last night concluded its budget review and discussions to approve the 2022/2023 Multi-Year Business Plan and Budget. The City thanks all residents, organizations and business owners in Saskatoon who wrote in or spoke to City Council this week or in the weeks leading up to budget review.

Council approved property tax increases of 3.86% and 3.53% for 2022 and 2023, respectively. In general terms, a homeowner with a single-family detached home with an average assessed value of $344,000 would have a municipal property tax increase of $6.17 per month or $74.04 per year in 2022, and $5.87 per month or $70.43 per year in 2023. 

“This was one of the toughest budgets we have faced given the pressures of COVID and some of the issues we need to tackle to ensure the well-being of our residents today and into the future," said Mayor Clark. "This budget keeps our tax rate lower than the average over the last ten years while making key investments to support our recovery and ensure we will be a competitive and resilient city in a changing world. We are proud to still have one of the most competitive commercial property tax levies as reinforced by C.D. Howe last year.”

Notable Capital Investments Include: 

• $33.9 million in 2022 and $24.7 million in 2023 for upgrades and maintenance to the Wastewater Treatment Plant. 
• $41.2 million in 2022 and $52.0 million in 2023 for upgrades and maintenance to the Water Treatment Plant. 
• $32.0 million in 2022 and $33.0 million in 2023 for paved roadway and sidewalk preservation. 
• $10.5 million in 2022 and $46.3 million in 2023 for the implementation of a Bus Rapid Transit system (contingent on ICIP Government Funding). 
• $2.64 million in 2022 for Transit and Access Transit Bus Replacement. 

Other operating and capital investment decisions over 2022 and 2023 support our growing and increasingly diverse city and include such items as:   

• new transit service to North Kensington and Aspen Ridge,  
• continued maintenance of roadways and pathways including snow grading on freeways and priority streets, 
• the maintenance of the City’s growing network of parks and open green spaces including pathways, and berms, 
• public engagement enhancement,  
• Reconciliation, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion programs and initiatives – including the Office of the Representative of the Matriarchs and IWG2S Women’s Centre,   
• graffiti management,  
• an increase to the urban forestry and pest management capital reserve,  
• climate adaptation and green infrastructure advancement, and 
• recreation and sport facilities grants. 

“City Council adjusted and debated to arrive at a budget that continues to support the key civic services citizens expect, and balances addressing strategic priorities for the City,” says Jeff Jorgenson, City Manager.

“The Administration will now work hard to execute the direction of City Council and deliver the quality services and programs to the public we proudly serve,” Jorgenson adds. “There are ambitious cost-saving and service improvement expectations included in this budget, and we will do everything in our power to meet or exceed those expectations as our community recovers from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. This multi-year budget takes us forward having set a new standard for transparency.”

Weighing decisions against the vision of the 2022-2025 Strategic Plan, the finalized 2022 and 2023 budgets support continued financial recovery for the City, promote growth for the community, and maintain quality of life and the needed momentum to keep the City moving forward sustainably.

Investing in Public Safety and Protection

City Council approved the Saskatoon Police Service budget which included resources to address the growth of the City and increase in calls for service with the addition of eight new Patrol Constables in 2022 and four Patrol Constables in 2023.

In addition, six positions were approved for 2022 to address items such as Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy requests (FOIP), technological crimes, Audio Video (AV) disclosures, investigations and major crimes were also included in the approved budget. The 2023 budget also includes four additional positions to address FOIP, AV disclosures, and investigations.

For the Saskatoon Fire Department, City Council invested $2.3 million in Next Generation 9-1-1 technology to enhance its Communications Centre. Council made further investments to replace major apparatus within the fleet, equipment, small vehicles, and uniform purchases, with $4.4 million over 2022 and 2023. Additional positions for firefighters were approved to support better response times for Saskatoon’s growing neighbourhoods, and for Fire Bylaw Inspectors as a proactive approach to property maintenance inspections. 

COVID-19 IMPACT

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic generates a high degree of uncertainty for fiscal planning. The City is estimating that the COVID-19 impact will be $13.85 million in 2022 and $10.02 million in 2023. These impacts are offset by one-time reallocated funding and do not affect the approved municipal property tax increases. 

Utility fees in 2022 and 2023 for water and wastewater usage include an overall average increase of 2.5% and 3.4% respectively, resulting in an additional $3.25 per month in 2022 and $4.63 per month in 2023 for the average homeowner.

Indoor Leisure Centre admission rates will increase by 2% in 2022 and 2023.  As an example, adult General Admission will increase from $9.80 to $10.00 in 2022 and $10.25 in 2023. The adult Monthly LeisureCard will increase from $50.00 to $51.00 in 2022 and $52.00 in 2023. 

In 2022, City Council will have the flexibility to make any necessary budgetary corrections for events or circumstances requiring funding or resource adjustments.

The City’s second Multi-Year Business Plan and Budget for 2022 and 2023 supports the City’s 2022-2025 Strategic Plan’s vision, and investments in the priorities and services that matter most to citizens, ensuring Saskatoon continues to be a great place to live, work, learn and play.

The finalized 2022/2023 Multi-Year Business Plan and Budget document will be made available on saskatoon.ca/budget as soon as it is available.