News Releases

Implementation of Saskatoon’s Homelessness Action Plan (Action Plan) will be a key priority for the City over the next few years.  The creation of new, affordable rental units, supported by City initiatives, will provide options for those who lack a safe and affordable place to call home.

The Action Plan was released in November 2016, by a Steering Committee representing a variety of stakeholders in the community.  Last week, City Council approved funding for implementation of the Action Plan.  The plan will be implemented by the Saskatoon Housing Initiatives Partnership over the next five years.

“The majority of the City’s funding for attainable housing is directed towards affordable rental housing, including transitional housing for those leaving homeless shelters,” says Director of Planning and Development, Lesley Anderson.  “Affordable rental housing will continue to be a focus in 2017 and 2018, alongside the implementation of Saskatoon’s Homelessness Action Plan.”

The recently released Annual Status Report on the Housing Business Plan 2013-2022 shows that the City’s supply of affordable and transitional rental housing is growing along with other types of attainable housing supported by the Housing Business Plan.

                              Results Achieved in the Housing Plan’s First Five Years

For more information on the Housing Business Plan and the work the City is doing in this area, please visit www.saskatoon.ca/housing or call 306-975-3340.

Komodo dragons that is!  On loan from the Calgary Zoo for the next year, Thorn and Shruikan (Shrew-khan) are settling into their home away from home in the new Komodo Island exhibit at the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo.  Building of the new exhibit was made possible through the generous support of the Saskatoon Zoo Foundation, and it will officially open to the public on April 1, 2017.

“We have been very fortunate to work with zoos from across Canada over the years to bring unique species to Saskatoon, including the Komodo dragons,” says Tim Sinclair‑Smith, Manager, Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo.  “We are very excited to share the unique story of the Komodo dragons and provide an opportunity for visitors to get an up-close look at these larger than life lizards.”

Komodo dragons are easily identified by their massive size, flat heads, bowed legs, and long, thick tails.  Known as the heaviest lizards on Earth, Komodo dragons can reach more than three metres in length and weigh more than 150 kilograms.  While Komodo dragons are not considered endangered, they are very rare and, today, are found in the wild only on Indonesia’s Lesser Sunda Islands.

Do not miss your opportunity to see these giant reptiles at the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo!  From September to April, the zoo is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and from May to August daily hours are from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.  Additional information regarding the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo can be found online at www.saskatoon.ca/zoo.

The City continues to implement its Risk-Based Management Program and make headway on reducing the severity of its key strategic risks as identified in the release of the City’s Corporate Risk 2016 Annual Report.

“Risk management is not about eliminating the chances of something bad happening, it is about making sure the City is well positioned to respond to, and recover from, surprises and disruptions,” says City Manager, Murray Totland. “The City of Saskatoon, like all municipalities, faces many types of risk that, if not effectively managed, can impede the successful delivery of essential services our residents, workers and visitors rely on every day.”

Of the 23 risks identified through the Strategic Risk Assessment process, Totland says the City has been able to reduce the severity of 11 of its strategic risks from high (i.e. high likelihood and high impact) to medium (i.e. medium likelihood and medium impact), with three risks now assessed within a desired  risk zone.

“When risk is managed effectively it supports continuous improvement and the way Saskatoon runs,” Totland says.  “With that, our citizens are more likely to have greater confidence in how City Hall operates.”

At its March 6, 2017 meeting, the Standing Policy Committee on Finance will receive the Annual Report, updated information regarding each of the City’s key strategic risks and the additional risk mitigation activities planned for the next one-to-three years. 

“Identifying, understanding, and managing our risks helps us make informed decisions,” says Director of Corporate Risk, Nicole Garman.  “That means we can take a realistic look at what might happen, ways to control what we can, and what we can do to put those strategies into action.” 
Building on the successes achieved to date, more operational, financial, and compliance risk assessments will be done in 2017.

Frequently Asked Questions and more Risk-Based Management information is available at saskatoon.ca/corporaterisk. 

The City has balanced the budget with a modest surplus well over half a million dollars.

“This is obviously good news,” says Clae Hack, Director of Finance. “We always strive to keep the City in the black and we’ve been able to achieve that in 2016.”

All civic utilities, including Saskatoon Light and Power and Saskatoon Water, posted surpluses.  The City’s Boards, including the Saskatoon Police Service, also posted surpluses.

Details are highlighted in a report to the Standing Policy Committee on Finance, scheduled to meet Monday, March 6, 2017.

The report outlines the surplus is due primarily to lower than expected oil and fuel prices throughout 2016. Additionally, fewer snow events in 2016 helped contribute to lower expenditures for snow and ice management.  The City also received a surplus payment from the Workers Compensation Board.

Hack says lower than expected revenues were posted in waste handling, at recreation centres and in fines – partially from better compliance.  The City also had to spend more on extra street cleaning and sweeping.  More money was also devoted to road maintenance because of warmer temperatures in spring and fall which extended the work season.

“The majority of the surplus is recommended to be transferred to the City’s Snow and Ice Stabilization Reserve to be used in future years when snow and ice management services exceed budget.”

The report supports the Strategic Goal of Asset and Financial Sustainability by demonstrating how the City invests in what matters, and demonstrates openness, accountability and transparency in the allocation of resources.

The City’s Planning and Development Division has released the City of Saskatoon and Saskatoon Census Metropolitan Area Population Projection 2015 to 2035 report.  The population in Saskatoon is projected to reach 380,650, and the Saskatoon Census Metropolitan Area is projected to reach 448,985 by 2035.

Saskatoon’s growth will result in the need to build the equivalent of six new neighbourhoods and 24,000 dwelling units by 2025.  Saskatoon’s current development capacity in existing, developing, and planned new neighbourhoods will be able to accommodate this projected growth.

“It is an exciting time for Saskatoon,” says Lesley Anderson, Director of Planning and Development.  “Some of our recently adopted long-range plans, such as the Growth Plan to Half a Million, will be integral in setting our City up for the future.”

“Change is inevitable, but this change will be managed.  Saskatoon will be able to accommodate this growth and remain a city where citizens continue to enjoy a high quality of life.”

Based on the annual growth rate of 2.0%, the 20-year projected population growth indicates Saskatoon will see a large increase in the number of people over age 65 and an even larger increase of those over the age of 80.  This spike is due to the aging baby boom generation.  The seniors’ population will increase from its current 12.8% to make up 14.1% of the total population by 2035.

Other highlights in the report are as follows:

• Net migration is forecast to account for 69.0% to 74.0% (62,000 to 122,000 persons) of the population increase projected over the next 20 years.
• New neighbourhoods are typically designed to house 10,000 people.  The Medium Growth Scenario will require the equivalent of an additional six neighbourhoods and 26,000 dwelling units by 2035, assuming an average household size of 2.4 people.
• An increase of 28.8% of children will be coming into, or already be in, the primary and secondary school systems by 2025 and 58.8% children by 2035.
• The estimated median age is projected to increase from 35.8 in 2015, to 37.4 in 2035.
• The dependency ratio is 65 to 67, which is an increase from 58 in 2015.Population projections are also useful to community agencies planning for future service provision.  The Planning and Development Division completed similar projections in 1996, 2002, 2008, 2010, and 2012.

The Planning and Development Division regularly calculates population estimates for the City using information from Statistics Canada and factoring in recent trends in growth.  These projections assist City Council and the Administration in developing policy framework, long-range plans, and forecasting future municipal servicing needs and land consumption.

Population projections are also useful to community agencies planning for future service provision.  The Planning and Development Division completed similar projections in 1996, 2002, 2008, 2010, and 2012.

For more information, or to view the full report, please visit www.saskatoon.ca/sustainable-growth.

The City invites citizens to help improve winter mobility on roads and sidewalks by participating in a new survey this March.

“Year after year, the City’s annual Civic Services Survey shows how important snow and ice maintenance is to Saskatoon citizens,” says Brandon Harris, Director of Roadways and Operations. “Rather than guessing what improvements will best help residents get around in the winter, we thought we might ask them.”

Citizen input will be collected to understand how people move around in winter, and to identify challenges or barriers residents experience due to snow or ice. The survey data, in conjunction with perspectives of local interest groups, will be used by the City to improve existing programs and plan new strategies to most efficiently address the needs of Saskatoon residents.

The Better Winter Roads survey is open to everyone and is now available at saskatoon.ca/snow. City representatives will also have digital surveys for people to complete at the upcoming Homestyles Show (March 9-12) and Gardenscape (March 24-26) at Prairieland Park.

The City is offering the survey in English, French, Mandarin and Arabic to ensure that a broad spectrum of Saskatoon residents, from new Canadians to seasoned winter veterans, can share their unique experiences.  

“City Council approved this citizen-first approach to improving the level of service as part of the 2017 winter road maintenance budget,” says Harris.

For 2017, more than $61.7 million has been invested in Building Better Roads including Road Maintenance, Snow & Ice Management and Street Cleaning and Sweeping. In fact, this year an additional $1.1 million has been dedicated to Snow & Ice Management.

In addition to this survey, we have also invited residents to help create a new approach to how winter is perceived in Saskatoon as part of WinterCityYXE, Saskatoon’s Winter City Strategy. Both surveys will identify ways in which we can work together as a community to make Saskatoon a great place to live in the winter time.

Visit saskatoon.ca/snow for more information and to participate in the survey today!

From the January 30, 2017 Meeting

From the January 30, 2017 Meeting

6.1.1 Ken Cheveldayoff, Minister of Parks, Culture and Sport – Meewasin Valley Authority Funding

Decision

*The Committee received the letter as information.

Background

*The letter is a response to James K. Wood, President of the SOS Elms Coalition.
*In the letter, Minister Cheveldayoff says the Government of Saskatchewan recognizes that urban parks contribute to a high quality of life and that since 2008, Meewasin has received $8,210,362 in funding.
*The letter states a review of Meewasin Valley Authority is being conducted and will help inform future decisions.

7.2.3 Overview of the 2017 Assessment Roll

Decision

*The Committee received the report as information and will be forwarding it to City Council as information.  A Power Point presentation was provided to the Committee and the Administration will be providing the Power Point to City Council as well. 
*The Committee also asked the Administration to report back on:  a) The ability to coordinate distribution of Property Tax Notices with the distribution of Assessment Notices, for the sake of clarity; and b) A communication plan for the next assessment period, to address the concerns raised by citizens and Councillors this year.

Background

*A property reassessment recalculates property assessment values to a more current valuation date.
*The Province of Saskatchewan made a change to the residential and multi-unit residential percentage of value to be applied to assessed values. This change does not result in individual properties paying more, nor does the City of Saskatoon receive any additional tax revenue.
*Generally speaking, the 2017 assessed values have not increased in value as much as they did in 2013 with the last reassessment.

7.2.6 S&P Global’s Canadian Ratings – City of Saskatoon

Decision

*The committee received the report and is forwarding it to City Council for information.

Background

*The report informs City Council and the general public of the 2015 long-term issuer credit rating report recently prepared and released by S&P Global (formerly Standard & Poor’s Rating Services) reaffirming the City’s “AAA”/Stable outlook credit rating, as well as some of the key rating factors.
*S&P Global has reaffirmed the City’s “AAA”/Stable outlook credit rating based on the 2015 Consolidated Financial Statements and current economic outlook.
*The City compares favourably to the key factors used by S&P to evaluate the City’s credit rating.

From the February 13, 2017 Meeting

8.1.1 Saskatoon Municipal Review Commission Remuneration Committee Recommendation – Request to Amend The Cities Act

Decision

*The committee received the information.

Additional Information

*In June 2016, City Councuil made the following resolution: “That City Council request the Government of Saskatchewan to change The Cities Act in order to permit municipalities to adopt fully taxable remuneration for Mayors and Councillors.”
*In accordance with City Council’s instructions, the City Solicitor wrote to the Minister of Government Relations requesting the relevant legislative change. Also, the City Solicitor sent the particulars of the legislative change proposals to the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association’s legal counsel and to the City Solicitors of Regina, Moose Jaw and Prince Albert.
*The Minister responded to the City Solicitor indicating that while the practice of making one-third of a City Councillor’s remuneration tax-free has been a common practice throughout Canada, it has become a growing trend for many Canadian cities to eliminate this practice. The Minister confirmed that this provision shall be considered by the Province the next time The Cities Act is opened for amendment and that the Province will consult with SUMA and other cities at that time to determine the best course of action.
*The City is awaiting feedback from SUMA and the other cities and will report further.

8.2.3 The Code of Ethics for Members of City Council Bylaw, 2017

Decision

*The Committee recommended to City Council that Bylaw No. 9424, The Code of Ethics for Members of City Council Bylaw, 2017 be enacted.

Additional Information

*A new section of The Cities Act requires that City Council adopt a Code of Ethics by bylaw. The Cities Act Regulations provides a model Code of Ethics which is deemed to have been adopted by City Council if Council does not adopt a Code of Ethics by bylaw. The model Code of Ethics is deemed in effect after February 23, 2017.
*This report brings forward a bylaw which contains the model Code of Ethics modified to include specific references to Saskatoon for City Council’s consideration and adoption by bylaw.

The City’s Snow Angel Program is making sidewalk clearing a little easier for Saskatoon residents. Diane Woodley is one of the people who received help from her neighbours this winter and wanted to make sure they were recognized for their efforts.

His Worship, Mayor Charlie Clark, today thanked and presented a gift to this month’s winners of the Snow Angel Program prize draw.

“The Snow Angel Program is a great reminder that we are all in this together,” says Mayor Charlie Clark. “It’s about kind acts by people like the Hutchence family, taking the time to help their neighbours. And it’s one way we can come together to build a safe winter city where everyone can get outside and enjoy it.”

Diane Woodley nominated Snow Angels Tom, Katrina, Henry (3) and Andrew (6) Hutchence. Woodley is extremely grateful for the help, having undergone a knee and hip replacement.

“Every time it snows, Tom, Katrina and their sons clear my sidewalk and driveway,” says Woodley. “But, I don’t think Henry has quite figured out how it works yet. While his parents and older brother push snow off my driveway, he moves little piles of snow back on to it.”

When helping others clear their snow and ice there are some important points to remember:

• Always shovel snow on private property and not on the street.
• Chip at ice during the warm daylight hours when it is soft, and easier to break.
• Spread sand on icy patches to increase traction and make it easier to remove ice later.
• Use commercially available de-icing materials before and after ice forms.
• Watch for ice humps that are formed when water drips off of buildings and then freezes on pathways.
• To report an uncleared or dangerous sidewalk, please contact the City Bylaw Inspector at 306-975-3193.
• Residents are reminded to be safe and always exercise caution when working outside and clearing snow and ice for themselves and others.  

To nominate a Snow Angel please visit saskatoon.ca/snow and fill out the form or submit your nomination by mail to 222 3rd Avenue North, Saskatoon SK, S7K 0J5 or in person at City Hall. Those nominated will receive a thank you and be entered into a prize draw.