News Releases
Saskatoon Fire - News Releases
City Boards & Committees: seeking new members from Saskatoon’s diverse community
September 13, 2021 - 7:33am
- Diversity Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee
- Municipal Heritage Advisory Committee
- Public Art Advisory Committee
- Saskatoon Environmental Advisory Committee
- P4G Saskatoon North Partnership for Growth – District Planning Commission
- Marr Residence Management Board
- Municipal Planning Commission
- Remai Modern Art Gallery of Saskatchewan
- TCU Place Board of Directors
- Board of Revision (& Licence Appeal Board)
Make this your year to volunteer and make a difference in your community by helping shape programs and services that matter to you.
We rely on citizen volunteers to bring their diverse backgrounds and expertise to participate on our boards, committees and commissions.
As a commitment of our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Action Plan, the membership of the City’s various boards, committees and commissions should reflect the community we serve, with each member bringing their perspective, guidance and advice. We welcome, support and value individuals for their differences, lived experiences, talents and contributions.
We are currently seeking volunteers for various City Boards, Committees and Commissions. As a member, you’ll have opportunities to guide recommendations, and share your input, advice and expertise.
There are a wide variety of open positions on:
Interested in contributing, gaining valuable experience and expanding your network of contacts? Apply before 5:00 p.m. Monday, October 4, 2021.
Our boards and committees are stronger through diverse membership. In working together, we make Saskatoon a better city.
Check the full list of vacant positions, descriptions of the ways you can contribute, or to apply at saskatoon.ca/boards.
New reservoir in Evergreen will service northeast Saskatoon neighbourhoods
September 7, 2021 - 5:19am
As the city continues to grow, so too does the need to ensure sufficient water supply to all neighbourhoods. Construction of an underground reservoir in Evergreen is underway, just to the south of the McOrmond Drive and Baltzan Boulevard intersection.
Once operational, the Northeast Reservoir will collect and store water from the City's Water Treatment Plant and distribute it to the surrounding neighbourhoods of Evergreen, Aspen Ridge and Willowgrove.
“The Northeast Reservoir will have a total capacity of 43 million litres, which is equivalent to approximately 17 Olympic sized swimming pools of water,” says Russ Munro, Director of Saskatoon Water. “The water will be stored underground, and the site will include a pump station surrounded by grass and trees.”
Saskatoon has three other reservoirs that help deliver water to surrounding neighbourhoods: the 42nd Street Reservoir, the Avenue H Reservoir and the Acadia Drive Reservoir.
Construction on the Northeast Reservoir is expected to be complete in December of 2023.
For more information about the project, visit saskatoon.ca/reservoir.
Transportation committee to review speed limits on residential streets
September 2, 2021 - 9:00am
Reduced speed limits in Saskatoon will be discussed at City Council’s Standing Policy Committee on Transportation meeting on Tuesday, September 7. The Administration recommends lowering the speed limit to 40 km/h on local and collector streets in residential areas. The Committee’s recommendation will be debated at the September 30 City Council meeting.
In 2018, City Council asked the Administration to develop a detailed framework for revising posted speed limits on neighbourhood streets. Council members have received repeated concerns over speeding, and these concerns were also expressed at neighbourhood traffic review engagement events. A report with technical information and survey results from residents following a review of the issue was presented to the Standing Policy Committee on Transportation in June. The collision data and traffic safety best practices validate that lower speeds on residential streets will reduce the number of collisions and the seriousness of traffic-related injury and fatalities.
The majority (65%) of respondents from an open survey (14,970 respondents) prefer no change to the speed limit on all streets, whereas about half (52%) of a third-party supplemental survey (414 respondents from a cross-section of neighbourhoods and demographics) prefer a speed limit lower than 50 km/h on local streets in residential areas.
The Administration prepared options for the Committee’s consideration after an extensive review of speed data on local and collector streets in Saskatoon’s residential neighbourhoods and a review of speed limits in other Canadian cities.
Once City Council makes a decision about changing speed limits, the Administration will present options for speed limits in school and playground zones, as well as areas of high concentration of seniors and dedicated neighbourhood bikeways. An overall implementation plan will follow based on the final direction from City Council.
Project information is available at saskatoon.ca/engage/speed-limit-review.
HELP is on the way for homeowners looking for energy efficient upgrades and retrofits
September 1, 2021 - 10:15am
- Replacing windows, doors, or heating and cooling equipment with EnergyStar models
- Adding insulation to basements, attics, and walls
- Replacing toilets and faucets to low-flow options
- Installing solar panels
The City of Saskatoon (City) has officially launched the Home Energy Loan Program (HELP).
HELP provides low interest loans to single-family homeowners for energy efficiency upgrades and renewable energy installations that are repayable through their property taxes.
“What makes the program unique is that the loans are tied to the property and not the person. To be eligible, property owners would need to have their property taxes in good standing, and no additional credit checks are needed,” says Jeanna South, Director of Sustainability for the City of Saskatoon.
As the program name entails, the loans are for home energy efficiency upgrades, retrofits, and renewable energy installations. Some of the program options include:
HELP loans are available to eligible applicants for terms of 5 – 20 years with interest rates estimated at 1.45%– 3.14%.
Applicants are encouraged to apply online at saskatoon.ca/HELPHome where there are guiding forms and resources to help them through the application process.
A first step for successful applicants is to have their home undergo an energy audit, where a licensed professional reviews a home’s current energy efficiency and provides recommendations on how to increase it. While the audit comes with a cost, it can be included in the loan amount. There is also a program administration fee, however, this can be waived if an applicant’s income is below a set amount.
For owners looking for help with their construction or installation project, saskatoon.ca/HELPHome has a list of contracting and trades businesses who have provided documentation such as of workers’ compensation compliance, general liability insurance, safety training, and registration with a third-party warranty organization.
“The program removes some of the barriers residents might face when applying for a loan. And, because loans are specifically for energy efficiency and renewable energy installations projects, the whole community benefits from the reduced greenhouse gas emissions,” says South.
“Reducing barriers for energy upgrades, lowering emissions, supporting local employment and businesses, and equitable program development benefit the community and support broader goals set out by City Council.”
Visit saskatoon.ca/HELPHome for more information on the City’s Home Energy Loan Program (HELP).
Bus Rapid Transit timeline extended due to pandemic
September 1, 2021 - 4:00pm
An information report being presented to the City of Saskatoon Transportation Committee on September 7, 2021, will outline the required extension to the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project timeline to ensure engagement on the system will be in-depth, inclusive and accessible. This extension is necessary due to the challenges presented by COVID-19 to the public engagement process, most notably the inability to meet with partners and stakeholders in person.
“The BRT project was unexpectedly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic,” says Terry Schmidt, General Manager of Transportation and Construction. “Not being able to meet in person meant we were unable to meet our engagement principles of inclusivity and relationship building. We determined it was necessary to extend the launch date to June 2026 so we can gather the important public and staff input needed to ensure the BRT system meets the needs of our residents.”
Service launch of the BRT system was originally planned for June 2025. Public feedback is required on several areas about the planning and construction of the BRT network. It is expected that engagement opportunities will be available soon (dependent on pandemic restrictions and health orders) and will continue throughout the project. Interested residents can participate in the BRT process by signing up for the project enewsletter to stay informed about upcoming opportunities.
Visit saskatoon.ca/brt for more information on the BRT project.