News Releases

We all know last – and this – year, has been challenging, ever-changing and unprecedented for everyone as we continue to help each other as one community. Many people have spent many days working and even living apart from family, friends and neighbours to protect each other’s health and safety.

The City of Saskatoon is proud to have kept delivering the civic services, programs and communication that residents rely on every day; we are fortunate to have kept service disruptions to a minimum during the pandemic while following guidelines set by the provincial Public Health Orders.

So now -- more than ever – over the course of two surveys we'd like to hear the thoughts and opinions of Saskatoon residents on a wide variety of topics including how we are delivering services, programs, and communication.

• How satisfied are you living in Saskatoon?
• How satisfied are you with the quality of the services provided by the City?
• What is your perception of quality of life in Saskatoon?
• What do you believe is the most important issue facing the City?
• Your opinions on the City’s performance in various areas such as communications, engagement, online services, community safety, mobility and growth
• Opinions on how the City is doing on delivering 29 different services
• Feedback on civic service priorities
• Preferences on level of service in 12 different areas

The City is conducting two public surveys in the first half of 2021: 

• Civic Satisfaction & Performance Survey #1 open April 19- May 23
• Civic Services Survey #2: Performance, Priorities & Preferences

These civic surveys are one way the City can check in with residents to gather input and better understand the needs and perceptions of community members. Your survey responses help us identify priority areas, areas where we can continue to improve, and much more.            

Both surveys will be conducted through telephone and a professional online panel to collect survey data that is reliable, valid and representative of our community.  In addition, the survey is open for public feedback on saskatoon.ca/engage for all interested residents over the age of 18 to participate.  The Civic Satisfaction & Performance survey opens today and the survey takes approximately 10-15 minutes to complete. 

Saskatoon residents: if you are 18 years old or more you may be contacted over the telephone by a research firm interviewer asking you to complete the Civic Satisfaction & Performance Survey.

The City’s civic surveys were last conducted in 2018. The surveys were scheduled to be conducted in summer 2020 however due to the City's pause on public engagement in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, the surveys had to be delayed until 2021.

Results from the 2021 surveys will be compared to past surveys to determine trends. Review the results of the 2018 Civic Surveys. 

Visit saskatoon.ca/engage to complete your 2021 Civic Satisfaction & Performance Survey. Phone inquiries please call 306-975-2476.

Canadians everywhere have felt the impact of COVID-19 on their families, their livelihoods, and their way of life. Canada and Saskatchewan have worked together to ensure health and safety, support families and businesses, and sustain local economies.  Investments in infrastructure for the Saskatoon area during this extraordinary time provide an opportunity to make public facilities and utility networks more sustainable, improve the environment and quality of life, and create jobs at a time when they are needed most.

Today, Jim Carr, the Government of Canada's Special Representative for the Prairies, on behalf of Catherine McKenna, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, Saskatchewan's Government Relations Minister Don McMorris, and City of Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark, announced more than $102 million in joint funding for 11 green infrastructure and COVID-19 resilience projects.

The green infrastructure projects include upgrades to drinking water and wastewater systems, improvements to solid waste management, sidewalk expansion, and a new solar power plant.  Several of those projects will help provide long-term reliable services to local communities while also contributing to a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions.

Three projects are receiving funding under the new COVID-19 Resilience Stream.  Among those, the Meewasin Trail Enhancements project will increase the capacity and accessibility of the Meewasin trail network, which has seen an important increase in usage since the start of the pandemic.  The Kinsmen Riverfront, Downtown Core, Southwest and River Heights sectors will all be expanded, and new equipment will be added to increase visitor safety and comfort.

Providing communities with reliable, ecofriendly, and sustainable infrastructure is a shared priority for both governments.  The Government of Canada is investing more than $41.1 million in these 11 projects through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program.  For the projects requiring consultations with Indigenous groups, funding is conditional on all consultation requirements being met. The Government of Saskatchewan is investing more than $34.3 million toward these projects.  The City of Saskatoon is providing $25.8 million to support seven of these projects.

"Through our collaboration with our provincial and municipal partners, we are funding important infrastructure projects in Saskatoon," said Carr.  "With the COVID-19 Resilience Stream, we are also responding to the impacts of the pandemic through flexible and accelerated investments in key infrastructure upgrades as quickly as possible.  The funding announced today will help communities build back better, create jobs, and build cleaner, more inclusive communities."

"The Government of Saskatchewan is proud to be directly investing more than $34.3 million into the City of Saskatoon and the surrounding area," McMorris said.  "Infrastructure projects like these, not only protect the local economy as it recovers from the affects of the COVID-19 pandemic, but also helps build a strong and growing province."

"These investments of more than $100 million come at a crucial time for helping drive economic recovery and helping position the Saskatoon region for a strong future," Clark said.  "Our community is very grateful for this support from both the Federal and Provincial Governments.  These projects will improve our core infrastructure and ability to provide services, help make Saskatoon build toward a more sustainable lower-carbon future, and promote more health and activity for families."

"On behalf of Meewasin's board, staff and the broader community, we want to thank the Provincial and Federal governments for making investments into important trail infrastructure," Meewasin Board of Directors Chair Colin Tennent said.  "The Meewasin Trail network is built with goals for the lowest possible environmental impact and highest standards for safety and accessibility.  Meewasin recorded almost two million visits in 2020, seeing increased demand during the pandemic.  The planned enhancements are invaluable outdoor spaces where community members and future visitors can stay active, learn about the environment, and experience nature that supports physical and mental wellbeing."

Quick facts:

• Through the Investing in Canada plan, the federal government is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years in public transit projects, green infrastructure, social infrastructure, trade and transportation routes, and Canada's rural and northern communities.
• In Saskatchewan, the Government of Canada has invested more than $773 million in more than 450 infrastructure projects since 2015 under the Investing in Canada Plan.

Backgrounder:

Project List https://www.canada.ca/en/office-infrastructure/news/2021/04/backgrounder-residents-of-saskatoon-area-to-benefit-from-upgrades-to-water-wastewater-and-solid-waste-infrastructure-and-other-community-and-green-.html

Associated links:

• Investing in Canada: Canada's Long-Term Infrastructure Plan http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/icp-publication-pic-eng.html
• Investing in Canada Plan Project Map http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map
• Federal infrastructure investments in Saskatchewan https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/prog-proj-sk-eng.html

As the City continues to finalize its vision of a vibrant Downtown into the future, some key components are clear and will require:

• A new entertainment facility/arena
• A convention centre
• A high functioning transit system (including Bus Rapid Transit)

Other Downtown priorities include upgrades to roadway, walking and cycling infrastructure, Fire Hall #1 replacement, advancement of the outdoor festival sites along the riverbank, and reducing homelessness.

Achieving this vision of enhanced vibrancy Downtown is fundamental to the City’s future success.  We have been and continue to be a destination city because of the vision and amenities put in place by our predecessors. Approximately 50 years ago, the train station became Midtown Plaza, Sid Buckwold Bridge opened, and the Meewasin vision became a reality. This is a similar moment in the City’s life, planning for a Downtown that will meet the needs of the future. To maintain our competitive advantage and position, we must continue to provide world class amenities that support our quality of life and our economic foundation.

In a report for the Governance and Priorities Committee, three main projects -- an arena, a convention centre, and the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) system -- are outlined as key priorities with the potential to transform Downtown, boost our economy, and further increase our attractiveness and improve our quality of life.

“Sasktel Centre and TCU Place are both nearing the end of their useful service lives and, without substantial renovations, cannot maintain market competitiveness in their current state,” says Lesley Anderson, Director of Planning and Development.

“Locating a new arena Downtown would have many mutual benefits for other major facilities such as the convention centre, and existing Downtown attractions including dining, hotels, and retail – creating the conditions for a fully-animated event and entertainment district.”

“A Bus Rapid Transit system, which has already received City Council approval to proceed, is an integral piece of building a successful and thriving entertainment district in Downtown Saskatoon,” notes Dan Willems, Director of Technical Services.

“Advancing a plan to provide core entertainment amenities located in Downtown which are supported by a rapid, reliable transit system will strengthen our position as a destination city.”

Construction of these types of amenities has been accomplished in many other jurisdictions through use of multiple funding streams, many of which have not been used before in Saskatoon.  Examples of funding tools used elsewhere for similar projects include taxes on hotel room and other short-term accommodation rentals, motor vehicle rental charges, and tax increment financing, to name a few.  Exploration and implementation of non-traditional funding sources will be key to achieving the vision of Saskatoon’s future in a way that minimizes reliance on property tax.

The Administration estimates that over a 25 year-period, there will be the potential for significant revenue generated to offset the need to rely on property taxes for these projects. These sources include a combination of new possible revenue streams and existing funding, such as the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program contributions expected from all three levels of government.  This combination of funding would be more than enough to cover the estimated costs of a new downtown arena, upgraded convention centre, and BRT.

“The aim of this funding/financing strategy is to minimize contributions from property taxes to pay for the bundle of sub-projects within this transformational project. It also attempts to improve fairness by generating revenues from those who benefit from the amenities, particularly, non-residents who tend to benefit from tourism-based infrastructure,” says Mike Jordan, Chief Public Policy and Government Relations Officer.

“However, achieving this outcome requires a substantial long-term investment and a partnership between the City, other orders of government, and industry.” 

The report will be presented to GPC at its April 19 meeting.

After more than two years, Saskatoon City Council and its Committees will resume in-person meetings in April and will reopen Council Chamber to the public. Meetings have been conducted virtually online since shortly after the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic.

“With COVID-19 restrictions lifting, it’s exciting to welcome back Council members and members of the public to attend City Council proceedings in Council Chamber or to other public committee meetings,” says Adam Tittemore, City Clerk. “While there are no COVID-related restrictions or a capacity limit in Chambers at present, public visitors may still choose to physically distance themselves and or wear an optional face-covering.”

Meeting participants and the public will have the option to attend upcoming meetings in person or virtually from another location. City Council proceedings will continue to be made available for public viewing via a live stream video link.

To add greater accessibility to City Council’s live-streamed video of public meetings, the City has added a closed captioning service whereby people with impaired hearing can toggle the “cc” icon on or off to make text appear on the screen below the video. Closed captioning may at times convey inaccurate spellings or words interpreted incorrectly due to the technology or speaker. “The City is committed to providing an open municipal government and this includes adding accessibility supports to best serve all members of the community,” adds Tittemore.

Visitor Screening Procedures introduced pre-pandemic will also be in place, including the visual bag inspection, for the public attending Council Chambers for City Council or Committee meetings. This safety measure is the City’s commitment to making Council Chamber as open, accessible and secure as possible for all visitors and City employees.

Helpful Links

Interacting with City Council & Committees

Watch live-streamed video of public City Council meetings

Agendas, minutes, past videos

Email City Clerks

Contact City Clerk’s Office

Visit saskatoon.ca .