News Releases

This morning, the City and Reconciliation Saskatoon are joining with community partners to raise the Reconciliation Flag in Civic Square on the south side of City Hall. The flag is raised to set the stage for the season of commemoration or reflection during the month of June, which marks National Indigenous History Month and includes National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21).

“As we raise the Reconciliation Flag, we remind everyone that the act of reconciliation is not just one day but a conversation that should happen every day,” says Saskatoon Tribal Council (STC) Tribal Chief Mark Arcand. “Moving towards the future we see a better Province when people come together in the spirit of reconciliation.”

“The annual raising of the Reconciliation Flag is so significant to so many in our community. It represents a commitment to Reconciliation – the process of building bridges between Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples,” says Shirley Isbister, President of the Central Urban Métis Federation Incorporated (CUMFI).

The flag raising event is open to all. In addition to the raising of the flag, the event includes Indigenous performances, remarks from dignitaries, and a call to action to the Saskatoon community to engage in Reconciliation.

“We really hope that residents of Saskatoon will take advantage of all the opportunities to learn about and participate in Indigenous culture in the month ahead. There will be powwows, art exhibitions, programming at Wanuskewin, and an Indigenous Peoples Day celebration in Victoria Park. It’s important that people make an effort; Reconciliation is everyone’s responsibility,” says Kathie Pruden-Nansel, Western Region 2A Representative with Métis Nation—Saskatchewan (MN-S).

This year’s flag raising event also includes the unveiling of the City’s new Reconciliation visual identity. The design was developed through consultation with community Elders to include significant imagery capturing Saskatoon and our shared journey forward on the path to Reconciliation. A new community tipi with the visual identity hand painted onto it is also being unveiled at today’s event. More detail on the creation and use of the visual identity can be found at saskatoon.ca/Indigenous.

“Over the past several years we have seen so many people and organizations step forward and commit to the path of Truth and Reconciliation in our city,” says Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark. “These steps have been very important, and we still have much work to do as we move from words to actions. There are far too many families, children, Survivors in our community who face enormous barriers every day in our community and province. People who do not experience Saskatoon as a place of support and belonging. Let’s lean in now and build a better path by humbly recognizing the ways that have failed and boldly co-create the way forward with Indigenous partners.”

There are a number of activities happening around Saskatoon during the month of June that present opportunities to learn and get involved. A listing of just some of these is available at saskatoon.ca/Indigenous. Residents are also invited to visit Civic Square to see the raised Reconciliation Flag and reflect on its significance—it will remain raised until June 5.

NOTE: The Rock Your Roots Walk for Reconciliation that formerly took place on June 21 has been moved to September 30—the National Day for Truth & Reconciliation. On June 21, the Saskatoon Indian & Métis Friendship Centre (SIMFC) will host a community celebration in Victoria Park between 10:30 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. The City of Saskatoon will be participating in this event, which is open to all.

The City of Saskatoon is aiming to modernize and enhance how it conducts future municipal elections having presented a decision report to the Governance & Priorities Committee on May 17, 2023. Recent amendments to The Local Government Election Act, 2015 (LGEA) provide clarity to permit municipalities greater use of various tools, namely with regards to voters lists and partnerships available with other entities, particularly Elections Saskatchewan.

“With the next municipal election officially scheduled for November 2024, planning is well underway to provide a more efficient voting process for residents,” says Adam Tittemore, City Clerk. “There’s been a continued shift in voter behaviour, notably the greater use of advance polls and mail-in ballots. Considering lessons learned from the 2020 election and best practices from other jurisdictions, we’re committed to adopting new practices and technology to create a smoother, faster and secure voter experience starting in 2024.”

A partnership with Elections Saskatchewan will be key to many of the proposed election improvements, including sharing data, establishing a municipal voters list, sharing election technology, and delivering vote-by-mail services. With respect to sharing data, pending Council endorsement, the City would enter into a formal information-sharing agreement where it would receive voter data which Elections Saskatchewan already owns and curates, to be used for the creation of the voters list. Partnerships with Elections Saskatchewan will help reduce the cost of conducting elections and, in cases such as the acquisition of voter data, come at no cost to the City.

“The legislative ability to enter into this agreement is included in the LGEA, along with the ability to use this information to create a voters list, rather than going through an enumeration process,” adds Tittemore. “The partnership is imperative in achieving our modernization goals and results in financial savings.”

City Administration has also undertaken a procurement process with election technology solution providers to use an election management system (EMS). Cloud-based applications will allow the City to more efficiently operate the election and increase the service and security level for candidates and voters. This technology is intended to be used for the 2024 election in some form to help manage an electronic voters list, mail-in ballot application and fulfilment, candidate portal, voting location management, etc.

The EMS technology and associated hardware, including all listed modules and fulfillment of mail-in ballots, is expected to come at a cost of approximately $102,000. This cost will be offset by fewer poll workers required, savings on printing and supplies, and staff time and resources associated with a more efficient election administration.

The City is committed to protecting the integrity of the voting process, providing a faster and more efficient voter experience at the polls, and an easier way to verify identity for alternative voting formats such as mail-in ballots.

The City of Saskatoon is pleased to announce that Bird and Neuron have been selected as the successful vendors for a two-year pilot to provide the shared e-scooter pilot program in Saskatoon.  

After completing the procurement process, Bird and Neuron were chosen to provide residents and visitors with an affordable, convenient and sustainable transportation option. This will be the first-time shared e-scooters will be available in Saskatoon, and the City is excited to have these industry leaders bring this service to our community.  

"We believe this shared e-scooter pilot will provide benefits to our community, and we look forward to seeing it in action," says Jay Magus, Director of Transportation. "We will work closely with Bird and Neuron to ensure the implementation of this shared e-scooter pilot is safe, reliable, and enjoyable for all users. We will hold the two vendors to our approved framework which was developed with input from local stakeholders and residents of Saskatoon."  

Neuron’s shared e-scooters will be available to ride as early as Thursday, May 18 and Bird’s shared e-scooters are expected to be available Monday, May 22. To ride an e-scooter start by downloading the Bird or Neuron apps on the Apple Store or on Google Play. 

The framework for the pilot requires e-scooter renters to follow the Provincial regulations: e-scooters cannot be operated at a speed greater than 24 km/hr, minimum rider age of 16 years or older and riders are required to wear helmets. 

Shared e-scooters must operate within the approved service area (found on the vendors app) on shared-use paths, pathways, cycle tracks, protected bike lanes and – where no such paths are available – may ride on streets with posted speed limits of 50 km/hr or lower. Shared e-scooters are not permitted to ride on sidewalks. 

Personal e-scooters are not currently allowed on any city street, sidewalk or pathway. The City plans to consider allowing private e-scooters in 2024 once we have conducted a year of this pilot program.   

Please ride responsibly to create a safe and enjoyable environment for all road and pathway users.  

To learn more about this pilot please visit saskatoon.ca/electric-scooter-pilot.

About Bird and Neuron   

Bird and Neuron are leading providers of shared e-scooters, operating in multiple cities across North America and Australia. Both companies provide affordable and sustainable transportation options to communities worldwide.  

The Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo (Zoo) is honoured to have once again achieved its accreditation through Canada’s Accredited Zoos and Aquariums (CAZA). CAZA accreditation signifies excellence in animal care and management and a commitment to conservation and education. The Zoo is the only CAZA accredited facility in Saskatchewan.

“We are so proud to maintain our CAZA accreditation,” says Jeff Mitchell Zoo Manager. “I really want to thank our incredible team at the Zoo who work tirelessly to provide the highest-quality animal care and continue to contribute to conservation and education initiatives that enhance animal welfare.”

Every five years, CAZA requires zoos to successfully complete the accreditation process to be a member of the association. The accreditation process provides a format for the Zoo to undertake a rigorous self-examination and includes a multi-day site visit to complete the adjudication. The granting of accreditation is for five years, and the Zoo may be reviewed or inspected at anytime within the five-year accreditation period.

About CAZA
Founded in 1975, CAZA is a private charitable organization representing the country’s leading zoological parks and aquariums. CAZA is committed to the advancement of accredited zoos and aquariums as humane agencies of animal welfare, conservation, science and education. For more information visit caza.ca.