News Releases

The Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo (Zoo) is saddened to announce the loss of Georgia the North American Porcupine that passed away on December 31, 2022. Georgia was being treated by veterinarians and our animal care team in the days leading up to her death.

For 16 wonderful years, Georgia was a resident at the Zoo and played a key part in educating visitors and students of all ages on the importance of her species and habitat. She was regularly visited by many who loved to see her and her majestic quills up close and in person.

“Georgia was special,” said Jeff Mitchell, Zoo Manager. “She played such an important role in the Zoo’s educational programming and the Affinity Learning Centre for these many years and she will be missed by all of us here who interacted with her on a daily basis.”

The average life expectancy of a porcupine like Georgia is eight to 10 years in the wild and up to 18 years in zoological facilities. The porcupine is classified as Least Concern on the endangered species list.

Saskatoon remains under a Snowfall Warning and the City of Saskatoon has activated a city-wide snow response plan after receiving approximately 34 centimetres since December 25. Once crews are finished clearing all the major routes in the coming days, efforts will switch to a city-wide snow grading and removal program.

“Public safety is our top priority, and we are doing everything we can to get everyone moving around normally again, including those who live along streets that aren’t typically graded,” says Director of Roadways, Fleet and Support Services, Goran Saric. “This is a challenging situation with many residential streets impassable for light vehicles.”

City and contractor crews have been steadily working since the December 25 storm. They were just finishing up the priority streets when last night’s snowfall hit. Some City services that have been affected, like waste collections, will resume as soon as possible or be rescheduled.

Saric says a residential street grading schedule is being developed and will be posted to saskatoon.ca/snow later this week.

The criteria for activating the city-wide Roadways Emergency Response Plan for responding to extreme or unusual snow events is when the snow accumulation is greater than 25 centimetres and/or there’s a combination of snow, freezing rain and wind; and mobility is reduced to the point that light vehicles cannot travel on city streets; mobility across the city is severely impacted, and the regular winter maintenance level of service applicable to typical snow events cannot be met.

“With the recent back-to-back snowfalls of 34 centimetres, Saskatoon has now received a total of 90 centimetres of snowfall this winter. With several months of winter still ahead of us, grading and removing snow across the entire city now will help us avoid compounded mobility issues and potential spring drainage concerns in the coming months,” says Saric.

Learn about winter road maintenance at saskatoon.ca/snow. Stay in the Snow by checking the latest Snow & Ice Report posted to saskatoon.ca/snowreport.

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 Cory Shrigley, Manager Customer Support & Engagement, 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 or Uber vehicle with a transit connection.

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

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

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.

“There is no reason for impaired driving, especially on New Year’s Eve,” Shrigley 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.

A unique, new light installation in Downtown will see Saskatoon shine day… and night! Made possible through a partnership with and funding from Downtown Saskatoon (the Business Improvement District) and local business and property owners, programmable fiberglass mesh light ‘orbs’ have been placed through a back alley, illuminating these spaces like never before.

“The City and Downtown Saskatoon continue to work closely to make Saskatoon’s Downtown an attractive, year-round destination,” says Lesley Anderson, Director, Planning & Development. “This one-of-a-kind lighting project invites residents and tourists to visit spaces less travelled and discover a side of the city they might have never seen before.”

Using the Chubb Block as a power source, the lighting is now installed on the back of the Hotel Senator (243 21^st St E) and the side of O'Shea’s Irish Pub (222 2nd Ave S). Together, these light up the back alley south of 21^st Street East between 2^nd and 3^rd Avenues South. Each orb will be lit with LED lighting and has an infinite number of programming options which will keep the light display fresh throughout the year.

Anderson says, “through the City’s Downtown Where You Belong consultations in 2018, one item we heard from residents and businesses that could be improved in the city’s centre were the back alleys, making them safer, brighter and more inviting. This initiative is one way we have supported this request.”

Additionally, the orbs support the City’s WintercityYXE Strategy. WintercityYXE celebrates what makes Saskatoon an inviting, vibrant, safe and prosperous place in the winter.