News Releases

The City’s Governance & Priorities Committee (GPC) will receive an administrative information report on Monday, October 24, 2022, regarding the Municipal Wards Commission's establishment of ward boundaries in Saskatoon. With the next civic election in Saskatoon taking place in 2024, a review of current ward boundaries must be undertaken according to The Cities Act, Bylaw No. 8164 which contains the rules for creating wards.

“Ward boundary reviews must be completed no less than 180 days before a general municipal election,” says Adam Tittemore, City Clerk. “As we will engage with ward residents on any proposed ward boundary changes, a good amount of lead time is required to undertake the review process.”

Ward boundary reviews have been conducted for each of the last three elections, in 2012, 2016, and 2020. Past reports of the Municipal Wards Commission have noted the projected growth in several neighbourhoods and anticipated that further ward modifications would be required before future municipal elections.

Why review current ward boundaries?

The Cities Act requires that the population of each ward be uniform and that any ward must not vary by more than 10% from the figure that is obtained by dividing the total population of the city by the number of wards into which the city is divided.  If a variance of more than 10% is determined, the Municipal Wards Commission is required to review the ward boundaries. While not applicable in this case, the legislation also requires a review at least once every three election cycles.

Determining population in Saskatoon

The 2021 Census indicates that Saskatoon’s total population is 266,141 (an increase from 247,201 in 2016). However, traditionally the City has utilized provincial health data which has been determined to be a more accurate and timely reflection of the population of Saskatoon. Utilizing eHealth data current to June 30, 2022, the City’s Planning and Development Branch has determined the total population to be 285,445 (an increase from 270,790 in December 2018).

Ward 2 and Ward 7 are affected

Each of the ten wards in Saskatoon must have a population within +/- 10% of 28,545 (25,690 – 31,399). Current ward populations using June 30, 2022, Saskatchewan eHealth population information show that Ward 2 and Ward 7 are both outside of the 10% variation limit. The population within Ward 2 is below the limit, and in Ward 7 it is above.

The Municipal Wards Commission will undertake the process of reviewing the ward boundaries. Public consultation will be an important part of the review process. The new ward boundaries will be established in 2023, to take effect for the 2024 civic election.

Visit saskatoon.ca or contact the City Clerk’s Office at 306-975-3240 for more information.

The Governance & Priorities Committee (GPC) will consider an administrative information report at its next meeting on October 24, 2022, on the 2023 Business Plan and Budget’s pressures and opportunities. The City’s Multi-Year Business Plan & Budget (MYBB) Policy allows Administration to bring forward adjustments to the budget in the second year of the two-year cycle. The City is then able to adapt and respond to pressures and opportunities that are present due to changing municipal, provincial, and federal environments.

“This report provides an update on the financial landscape for the City heading into 2023. The world has changed significantly since the initial 2023 budget was prepared and the City is not immune to the inflationary and supply chain issues organizations have faced globally,” says Clae Hack, Chief Financial Officer. 

“While expenditures such as fuel, natural gas and other contracted services have seen increases, the City is also expecting to see significant increases in revenues from sources such as Municipal Revenue Sharing, Investment Income and Transit revenues to offset most of these impacts,” adds Hack.”

Background

At its November 29, 2021, 2022/23 Preliminary Business Plan and Budget meeting, City Council approved the 2023 Operating and Capital Plans. 

The details of the previously approved 2023 Operating Plan can be found in the 2022-2023 Approved Detailed Operating document. Additionally, the approved 2023 Capital Plan can be found in the Approved Capital Budget Project documents. 

Next Steps

“It’s important to note that these potential adjustments have not yet been approved,” adds Hack. “The  budget adjustments and mitigation strategies will be debated by City Council at its 2023 Budget Meeting on November 28, 2022.” 

Administration is exploring options for operating budget reductions for City Council to consider and will present them to City Council on November 28. In addition, capital project adjustments will be presented for deliberation.

Visit saskatoon.ca/budget

Over the next several weeks, visitors to the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo (Zoo) will start to see the Zoo animals preparing for the cooler winter temperatures ahead. Many species including the snow leopard, lynx, bobcats, bison and caribou thrive in cooler temperatures thanks to some very cool natural adaptations.

“Caribou are well adapted to life in cold climates,” says Jeff Mitchell, Zoo Manager. “The herd at the Zoo is already working on developing their dense undercoat made up of ultra-fine fur and a longer overcoat of hollow guard hairs that will keep them warm throughout the winter. Caribou also have large, sharp hooves that act like snowshoes allowing them to walk on top of the snow.”

Other animals like the grizzly bears and prairie dogs, are getting ready to sleep away the cold winter days.

“Mistaya and Koda have started making their beds so to speak,” says Mitchell. “You might see the bears combing through the extra straw and leaves the zookeepers have placed throughout their habitat. Mistaya and Koda like to carefully select each leaf and piece of straw, only taking the best of the best back to their den to make their bed.”

Dingoes Maple and Euci will soon be off-exhibit as the cool weather settles in. While the dingoes love to play in the snow for brief periods of time, they will be spending most of their time in their indoor habitat in favour of warmer temperatures.

A reminder to purchase your 2023 Zoo Season Passes before December 31, 2022 to receive 2022 rates. Zoo Season Passes are available for purchase at the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo or any Leisure Centre.

The Zoo is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., visit saskatoon.ca/zoo for more information or to plan your next visit.

Helping Canadians upgrade their homes to be more energy-efficient fights climate change, creates good jobs and helps save on monthly bills.

The Community Efficiency Financing initiative is offered through the Green Municipal Fund (GMF) delivered by FCM and funded by the Government of Canada. CEF helps communities of all sizes implement innovative local financing programs that directly help homeowners cut their greenhouse gas emissions, make their homes more energy-efficient, comfortable and affordable, while creating local jobs and keeping the local economy moving.

This initiative is one of the ways GMF continues to build on its 20-year record of supporting transformative environmental initiatives at the community level. The Government of Canada has invested $1.65 billion in the GMF since its inception, enabling municipalities to support projects like this that will leverage local resources to drive innovative solutions.

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Dozens of residents in Saskatoon’s Haultain and Queen Elizabeth neighbourhoods can rest a little easier knowing there is less of a likelihood of their properties flooding during intense rainfalls. A new dry storm pond in W.W. Ashley District Park, enjoyed as a newly developed park and sports field during dry weather, officially opened today.

The new dry storm pond is the first of nine to be completed under the Flood Control Strategy (FCS) which was approved by City Council in 2018. The second project is underway right now in Churchill Park and will open in fall 2023. In early 2023, construction will start on a dry storm pond in Weaver Park and six more FCS projects will be built between 2024 and 2027. The Government of Canada has contributed $21.6 million towards Saskatoon’s Flood Control Strategy through the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund.

“Our Government is proud to be contributing to Saskatoon’s Flood Control Strategy,” said the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities. “By investing in disaster mitigation and adaptation, we are safeguarding Saskatonians’ homes and livelihoods against the natural events brought on by climate change and building more resilient Prairie communities.”

“The W.W. Ashley Park Dry Storm Pond has already proven to be a tremendous success,” said Saskatoon Mayor, Charlie Clark. “During a significant rain event this summer, it prevented flooding in an area of the city that historically experiences floods. It also provides accessible walking paths and retains recreational space and green space when not containing storm water. The City has plans for more dry ponds and will continue work on projects in the Flood Control Strategy to help minimize flooding in the highest risk locations in the city. Through continued partnerships, we’re able to deliver better infrastructure to residents that help mitigate damage from natural events.”

“We have a well thought out strategy in place to ensure all of our projects are built and functioning by 2027,” said Russ Munro, Director of Saskatoon Water. “Flooding is never ideal, but I think we were fortunate to witness how this first flood mitigation project actually ended up exceeding our expectations during the rainstorm on June 20^th. It demonstrated these projects are a solution when it comes to protecting neighbourhood homes from being devastated by floods.”

Dry storm ponds hold water that would otherwise cause nearby flooding during intense rainfalls. The water flows into storm drains, then through underground pipes into the dry storm pond, where it then flows toward and empties into the South Saskatchewan River.

Once the FCS projects are completed, the City anticipates seeing a substantial decrease in the amount of neighbourhood flooding in the top 10 highest risk areas of Saskatoon.

For more information about the FCS, visit saskatoon.ca/floodplan.