News Releases

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) Report has just released their seventh annual ranking of Top Entrepreneurial Communities, and Saskatoon continues to possess the favourable entrepreneurial characteristics the CFIB scores that make a city stand out for their “business presence, policy, and perspective.”

Using fourteen specific indicators, the CFIB report assesses the degree to which cities (grouped by size) enable entrepreneurs and small businesses to start, grow and prosper their ventures.  High ranking entrepreneurial cities typically “have the presence of a high concentration of entrepreneurs, high business start-up rate, high level of optimism and success, and supportive local government tax and regulatory policies.”

Among centres with population of 150,000 or more, Saskatoon ranked third in Canada as an Overall Top-Ranked Entrepreneurial Major City in 2014, just behind Calgary and Edmonton.  Saskatoon was also ranked the number one city for Entrepreneurial Perspective – those cities that had the most upbeat business owners.  St. John’s and Regina ranked second and third.

Saskatoon also ranked third in the category of Entrepreneurial Policy, meaning these cities “tend to have the least distorted property tax systems measured by comparing the relative equity of commercial and residential property tax rates.”

According to Les Smith, City Assessor, these rankings align with the City’s strategic goal of Economic Diversity and Prosperity.

“We continue to create and support a business-friendly environment in Saskatoon, one that maintains fair and competitive tax rates for residential and business property taxes,” says Smith.  “Saskatoon’s tax regime has solid, clear and reasonable public policies.”

Large and small companies view Saskatoon as a great place to do business.  With a young population and median age of 35, strong manufacturing growth, a resource based economy and overall solid job growth, Saskatoon attracts entrepreneurs that want to start, grow, maintain and prosper their new venture.

“We are a city that celebrates and embraces an entrepreneurial spirit,” says Randy Grauer, General Manager of Community Services.  “To support this, we continue to create a business-friendly environment that focuses on our city and region’s competitive strengths; this is a key long-term strategy for the City.  We will continue to invest in the infrastructure needed to attract and support new businesses and skilled workers to the city.”

People from across the province, Canada and the world are drawn to Saskatoon for its quality of life, limitless opportunities and highly-skilled and educated workforce.  The City of Saskatoon works in partnership with economic development authorities, local businesses and educational institutions to promote and ensure Saskatoon is a great place to live, work and play.

NEW
UPDATE: AIRPORT DR NB & SB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANES CLOSED BETWEEN CLAYPOOL DR & THE AIRPORT
(Median widening)
45th Street W closed from Koyl Avenue to Airport Drive
Start: October 22, 7:00 a.m. End: November 7, 6:00 p.m.
3RD AVE NB LANES CLOSED FROM 21ST ST E TO 22ND ST E
(SL&P vault work)
Start: October 22, 9:00 a.m. End: October 22, 12:00 p.m.
CIRCLE DR SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM 8TH ST TO TAYLOR ST INCLUDING 8TH ST RAMP
(Crack sealing)
Start: October 22, 9:00 a.m. End: October 22, 3:00 p.m.
22ND ST W WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT KENSINGTON BLVD
(New intersection)
Through traffic will be maintained in the median (inside) lane
Start: October 22, 10:30 a.m. End: October 25, 6:00 p.m.

OVERNIGHT: 22ND ST E EB & WB MEDIAN LANES CLOSED FROM 3RD AVE N TO 5TH AVE N
(Sanitary lining)
Start: October 22, 7:00 p.m. End: October 23, 7:00 a.m.
OVERNIGHT: SPADINA CRES NB & SB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANES CLOSED FROM 21ST ST TO 22ND ST
(Sanitary lining)
Start: October 22, 7:00 p.m. End: October 23, 7:00 a.m.
OVERNIGHT: 25TH ST & 2ND AVE INTERSECTION MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANE RESTRICTIONS
(Sanitary lining)
Start: October 22, 7:30 p.m. End: October 23, 7:00 a.m.
ONGOING
IDYLWYLD DR SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED BETWEEN 25TH ST & 24TH ST
(Streetscaping)
Start: October 21, 9:00 a.m. End: October 22, 6:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR N NB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM STANLEY PL TO MINTO PL
(Median Repair)
Restrictions reset daily
Start: October 21, 9:00 a.m. End: October 22, 4:00 p.m.
SASKATCHEWAN CRES WB CLOSED FROM MCPHERSON AVE TO IDYLWYLD CRES
(Rotary Park Construction)
Start: October 20, 10:30 a.m. End: November 3, 3:00 p.m.

All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Slow down, pay attention and respect work zones. Watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go! Plan your route around road work by checking our Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map. Find traffic detour information on our saskatoon.ca homepage or subscribe to our Traffic Detour Service Alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

The City of Saskatoon has identified the need to improve cycling as part of a larger strategy to increase the attractiveness of and access to the downtown for residents, visitors, businesses, employers, and their employees.  A Protected Bike Lane Demonstration Project has been planned to achieve this goal.

The business community and general public are invited to attend and learn more about the 18-month downtown Protected Bike Lane Demonstration Project scheduled to begin May 2015, view detailed drawings, and have an opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback.  There are two opportunities to participate, and both will be facilitated by Doug Fast, Principal of Fast Consulting.

Downtown Protected Bike Lane Demonstration Project – Open House:
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
2 p.m. to 4 p.m. - Presentation and Open House for Businesses
5 p.m. to 8 p.m. - Presentation and Open House for the General Public
Le Relais Community Centre
103 - 308 4th Avenue North

More detailed information is available on www.shapingsaskatoon.ca.

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.

At a special meeting held today, City Council approved that there will be no charge for using transit for all citizens until October 31 and that all long-term pass holders will receive a refund or extension for the month of October. 

“For those customers with longer term transit passes, you will either receive a one-month extension or a refund depending on the type of pass you hold,” says Catherine Gryba, General Manager of Corporate Performance.  “Because there are a number of different kinds of long-term passes and different options depending on the pass you hold, we are asking pass holders to contact Saskatoon Transit,” says Gryba.

Longer term transit pass holders can call a Saskatoon Transit representative at (306) 975-3100, or visit the Customer Service Centre located at the Downtown Terminal on 23^rd Street to find out which option is available to them.

Transit pass holders who did not receive a refund for their September pass can now receive a one-month extension on their card.  Customers will need to visit the Customer Service Centre, located at the Downtown Terminal on 23^rd Street to get their card activated for the one-month extension.

“Everyone can ride the bus with no charge until October 31 to give you enough time to get your extension for the month of November or re-purchase your pass if you received a refund,” says Gryba.

U-Pass and Eco Pass holders should contact the administrators of their programs to learn about extensions or reimbursements.

“We invite all citizens to try out Transit with no charge until October 31, 2014,” says Gryba.  “We welcome back transit riders and look forward to getting Saskatoon on the move again.”

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon.

NEW
33RD ST EB CLOSED FROM NORTHUMBERLAND AVE TO AVE Y
(Curb box repairs)
Two-way traffic accommodated in westbound lanes
Start: October 21, 7:00 a.m. End: October 21, 6:00 p.m.

CIRCLE DR E SB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM 8TH ST ON-RAMP TO TAYLOR ST OVERPASS
(Crack Sealing)
Speed limit reduced to 60 km/h
Start: October 21, 9:00 a.m. End: October 21, 1:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR N NB MEDIAN LANE CLOSED FROM STANLEY PL TO MINTO PL
(Median Repair)
One lane traffic
Start: October 21, 9:00 a.m. End: October 21, 4:00 p.m.

CIRCLE DR E SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM 8TH ST OFF-RAMP TO 8TH ST ON-RAMP
(Crack Sealing)
Speed limit reduced to 60 km/h
Start: October 21, 1:00 p.m. End: October 21, 3:00 p.m.
OVERNIGHT: 22ND ST INTERSECTION RESTRICTIONS BETWEEN 1ST AVE & 4TH AVE
(Manhole maintenance)
Start: October 21, 7:00 p.m. End: October 22, 7:00 a.m.
ONGOING
SASKATCHEWAN CRES WB CLOSED FROM MCPHERSON AVE TO IDYLWYLD CRES
(Rotary Park Construction)
Start: October 20, 10:30 a.m. End: November 3, 3:00 p.m.
AIRPORT DR NB LANES CLOSED FROM GATEWAY BLVD TO THE AIRPORT
(Roadway improvements)
Two-way traffic accommodated in SB lanes. 45th St W closed from Airport Dr to Koyl Ave
Start: August 20, 1:00 p.m. End: October 29, 6:00 p.m.

All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Slow down, pay attention and respect work zones. Watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go! Plan your route around road work by checking our Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map. Find traffic detour information on our saskatoon.ca homepage or subscribe to our Traffic Detour Service Alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

 

For Release: Sunday, October 19, 2014

Full Transit services will begin running again on regularly scheduled times on Monday, October 20, 2014.

 “We have met with ATU Executive and worked out a back to work agreement.  This is a normal process which ensures everything is done orderly,” says Jeff Jorgenson, General Manager of Transportation and Utilities.

It makes sense to offer free Transit for the rest of October and ensure it is convenient for customers to get moving again as quickly as possible.

Transit customers may ride the bus for free until Friday, October 31 to provide appropriate time to repurchase a monthly pass or activate an extension for those who did not receive a refund for their September 2014 transit pass. More information on pass extensions will provided on Monday, October 20.

Regular transit fees will be in place starting Saturday, November 1.

There will be a number of ways available for residents to find information on bus routes:

• Transit Click & Go - Visit www.saskatoon.ca and search for route options using Transit Click & Go. 
• Customer Service Representative – Call 306-975-3100 to speak with a Customer Service Representative or visit our Saskatoon Transit Customer Centre, located at the Downtown Terminal on 23^rd Street. Visit www.saskatoon.ca for hours of operation.
• Phone & Go will be operating by 9:00 p.m. on Sunday, October 19, 2014. Phone & Go, a trip planning service available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. By following phone prompts, you will be able to plan your Transit trip using the most up-to-date information, or find the next buses servicing a stop.

TRANSIT CUSTOMERS

• Saskatoon Transit will offer free transit service for the rest of October to provide enough time to repurchase a monthly pass or activate your one month pass extension for those who had a valid September 2014 transit pass and did not receive a refund.
• For those customers with longer term transit passes, you will either receive a one month extension or a refund depending on the type of pass you hold. Please contact a Customer Service Representative for more information.
• UPass and EcoPass holders should contact the Administrators of their programs to learn about extensions or reimbursements.

We welcome back Transit riders and look forward to getting Saskatoon on the move again. We invite all citizens to try out Transit for free until October 31.

 

For Release: October 18, 2014

At a special meeting of Executive Committee this afternoon, City Council voted to withdraw the notice for the Transit lockout. Service will resume Monday morning.

“The Labour Relations Board ruling has created a large degree of uncertainty,” says Mayor Donald Atchison.

“It is because of our concern for our employees, transit riders and the citizens of Saskatoon that we have decided to end the lockout. We do not want to put them in the middle of a long drawn-out legal dispute,” says Mayor Atchison. “We also promised riders and citizens we would not leave people out in the cold with no end in sight to the labour dispute.”

As a result, full Transit services will begin running again on Monday, October 20, 2014.

It makes sense to offer free Transit for the rest of October and ensure it is convenient for customers to get moving again as quickly as possible. The community has been through enough and we want to re-establish our transit service.

Transit customers may ride the bus for free until Friday, October 31 to provide appropriate time to repurchase a monthly pass or activate an extension for those who did not receive a refund for their September 2014 transit pass.

On Sunday, October 19, there will be a number of ways available for residents to find information on bus routes:

• Transit Click & Go - Visit www.saskatoon.ca and search for route options using Transit Click & Go. 
• Customer Service Representative – Call 306-975-3100 to speak with a Customer Service Representative or visit our Saskatoon Transit Customer Centre, located at the Downtown Terminal on 23^rd Street. Visit www.saskatoon.ca for hours of operation.

Phone & Go will be operating by Tuesday, October 21, 2014. Phone & Go, a trip planning service available 24 hours a day, seven days a week. By following phone prompts, you will be able to plan your Transit trip using the most up-to-date information, or find the next buses servicing a stop.

TRANSIT CUSTOMERS

·     Saskatoon Transit will offer free transit service for the rest of October to provide enough time to repurchase a monthly pass or activate your one month pass extension for those who had a valid September 2014 transit pass and did not receive a refund.

·     For those customers with longer term transit passes, you will either receive a one month extension or a refund depending on the type of pass you hold. Please contact a Customer Service Representative for more information.

·     UPass and EcoPass holders should contact the Administrators of their programs to learn about extensions or reimbursements.

·     The City will adjust its invoice for University students so there are no fees for September or October

We welcome back Transit riders and look forward to getting Saskatoon on the move again.

-30-

 

 

 

 

For Release: October 18, 2014

The City is surprised and disappointed with the Board’s decision and the central issue still remains – ATU and the City needs a contract.

The Board is requiring the City to re-issue a lockout notice. Therefore, in compliance with the Order, the City served notice of lockout to the Amalgamated Transit Union (ATU) on Friday, October 17, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. This means ATU will be locked out on Sunday, October 19, 2014 at 1:00 p.m. Transit customers should be prepared to continue to make alternate transportation arrangements.

“The City will be carefully reviewing the Board’s reasons for their decision when we receive them”, says City Solicitor, Particia Warwick.

Jeff Jorgenson, General Manager of Transportation & Utilities, says achieving a contract that is fair for everyone is not without challenges and will take much work.

“The City’s objectives remain the same. We want a contract with ATU before winter, and we want pension plan changes that ensure the long-term sustainability of the plan,” says Jorgenson.

ATU and the City remain far apart in contract discussions. The City offered a 10% wage increase over four years as well as other specific increases. ”ATU’s demands far exceed what we are prepared to ask Saskatoon citizens and Transit customers to pay,” says Jorgenson. “The ATU Executive has demanded raises up to as much as 35% for some employees, averaging 19% overall.”

Eight of the nine unions/associations in the General Pension Plan have accepted a 10% deal over four years as well as increased contributions and amendments to the General Pension Plan.  This is the same offer presented to the ATU.

On September 20, 2014 the Transit union proposed a 22.25 % increase over five years; on Friday October 10, 2014 they modified their offer to be an average of 19% over four years, which is a higher per-year increase than their 5-year proposal. ATU maintains a 97% strike mandate.

-30-

 

NEW
SASKATCHEWAN CRES WB CLOSED FROM MCPHERSON AVE TO IDYLWYLD CRES
(Royary Park Construction)
Start: October 20, 10:30 a.m. End: November 3, 3:00 p.m.
ONGOING
AIRPORT DR NB LANES CLOSED FROM GATEWAY BLVD TO THE AIRPORT
(Roadway improvements)
Two-way traffic accommodated in SB lanes. 45th St W closed from Airport Dr to Koyl Ave
Start: August 20, 1:00 p.m. End: October 29, 6:00 p.m.

All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Slow down, pay attention and respect work zones. Watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go! Plan your route around road work by checking our Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map. Find traffic detour information on our saskatoon.ca homepage or subscribe to our Traffic Detour Service Alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

NEW SATURDAY
22ND ST EB & WB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANES CLOSED BETWEEN AVENUE I AND AVENUE K
(Sanitary sewer lining)
Ave J median (inside) lanes closed between 21st and 22nd Street
Start: October 18, 7:00 a.m. End: October 18, 6:00 p.m.

NEW SUNDAY

CIRCLE DR SB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANE CLOSED UNDER 108TH ST OVERPASS
(Culvert cleaning)
Start: October 19, 7:00 a.m. End: October 19, 1:00 p.m.
ATTRIDGE DR EB & WB TURN LANES TO TO CIRCLE DR E CLOSED
(Culvert cleaning)
Attridge Dr ramp to Circle Dr SB closed
Start: October 19, 7:00 a.m. End: October 19, 1:00 p.m.
2ND AVE N NB & SB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANES CLOSED FROM 24TH ST E TO 25TH ST E
(Sanitary Lining)
25th St EB curb lane closed approaching 2nd Ave
Start: October 19, 6:30 a.m. End: October 19, 5:30 p.m.
ONGOING
PRESTON AVE NB & CORNISH RD/HUNTER RD INTERSECTION RESTRICTIONS
(Intersection reconstruction)
Access to Stonebridge via Preston Ave will be maintained:
Preston Ave SB to Cornish Rd WB will be maintained. NB traffic will be detoured via the new Willis Cres which now joins Preston Ave.
Hunter Rd WB to Preston Ave NB will remain open for morning rush hour, the restriction will be in place from 9:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. each day.
Start: October 14, 9:00 a.m. End: October 18, 8:00 p.m.

AIRPORT DR NB LANES CLOSED FROM GATEWAY BLVD TO THE AIRPORT
(Roadway improvements)
Two-way traffic accommodated in SB lanes. 45th St W closed from Airport Dr to Koyl Ave
Start: August 20, 1:00 p.m. End: October 29, 6:00 p.m.

All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Slow down, pay attention and respect work zones. Watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go! Plan your route around road work by checking our Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map. Find traffic detour information on our saskatoon.ca homepage or subscribe to our Traffic Detour Service Alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.