News Releases

The Saskatoon Tribal Council (STC) will lead a new pilot project and Task Force to help support people who are homeless and improve safety in downtown Saskatoon. The pilot will be called Sawêyihtotân (suh-WAY-EE’-tote-tahn) which means let us bless each other through our show of respect for each other.

STC will lead the new community outreach team, which will be based in Saskatoon’s White Buffalo Youth Lodge. The team will include members from STC, the City/Saskatoon Police Service and the organizations that are part of the Saskatoon Inter-Agency Response to Safety and Well-Being group. Two staff members from the Ministry of Social Services and one staff member from the Saskatoon Housing Authority will join the team, with support from the Saskatchewan Health Authority.

The City of Saskatoon is providing $100,000 in funding towards this initiative, while the Ministry of Social Services and Ministry of Justice are providing another $50,000 each, bringing the total funding to $200,000.00. Including staff resources, Social Services will be providing over $117,000.00 in funding towards this important work to increase community safety and well-being in Saskatoon.   

“I am confident that this collaboration will add to the services we have in place to support those in need and help to better serve people in the downtown area who have no supports and nowhere to go,” Social Services Minister Paul Merriman said. “I also believe this community-driven initiative can inform a longer-term approach to serving people in need in Saskatoon and am very proud to support it.”

“We are committed to providing people with the supports they need to live safe and healthy lives,” said Minister of Justice and Attorney General Don Morgan. “Saskatoon Tribal Council has a strong track record of providing important supports in the Saskatoon community, and Government is proud to partner with them as part of our mutual goal of creating healthy communities.”

“This initiative complements the great work already underway to improve community safety and gives us an opportunity to develop a model that encompasses holistic, culturally relevant ways to meet the needs of the population,” said Saskatoon Tribal Council Chief Mark Arcand. “We have an unprecedented opportunity to build on the lessons we learned and the relationships we created from our recent collaboration responding to COVID-19 and the closure of the City Centre Inn - to provide better outcomes for those on the streets and contribute to the safety of all Saskatoon people.”

“The Sawêyihtotân initiative is a turning point in responding to the on-going health and safety of people on the streets and downtown,” said Mayor Charlie Clark.  “This is the first step.  The Wahkohtowin (wuh-COH’-toe-win) Task Force is the important second phase of this work to develop new models for shelter services and supportive housing over the months ahead. 

“It has taken a lot of commitment and working together in new ways, by many partners, to address the gaps that have existed for too long.  The fact that we have Minister Merriman and the participation of the Provincial Government directly in the development of solutions is crucial to these efforts, and I thank them for their participation.  This is also a turning point in moving the words of Reconciliation into action. The leadership of the Saskatoon Tribal Council brings an Indigenous-based approach to help us all learn how to build more holistic approaches in meeting the needs of people who are hurting. This feels like a historic moment for our community.”

The Downtown Safety Response Plan is split into two phases – a comprehensive community-based case management strategy, and a long-term transitional supportive housing model.

The immediate priority of this initiative will see the street outreach team begin its work this fall, starting with people in the most urgent need in downtown Saskatoon. The team will work with individuals to develop case plans, establish supports and help them secure and maintain stable housing. 

The initial phase, which will carry through over the next several months, will provide valuable feedback into a longer-term plan for serving Saskatoon’s homeless population and others in need of housing and supports.

The second phase will be supported by the work performed in Phase One. It will explore a collaborative approach than perhaps a traditional model of a single agency providing supports for vulnerable community members.

The groundwork for the City’s response to the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls Calls for Justice is outlined in a report to the Governance and Priorities Committee of City Council. The report to be presented at the Committee meeting Monday, September 21, provides an overview of current City initiatives relating to the National Inquiry and the approach for the development of a long-term strategy.

“Municipalities can play an important role in supporting and implementing programs and policies that answer the Calls for Justice,” says Melissa Cote, Director of Indigenous Initiatives. “Locally, by working together across the organization and with our community partners, we can make changes and act to address these issues.”

The report outlines current City initiatives that align with the Calls for Justice, such as the City’s “Little Sisters in Action Program,” working with community partners in their efforts to create safe spaces for Two-Spirit youth in ceremony and cultural spaces, “Safe Bus” basic training for City of Saskatoon staff, and contributing to the Saskatoon Poverty Reduction Partnership.

The long-term strategy will involve a wide range of community voices and organizations as well as involve a cross-functional team within the City’s various divisions and departments. The goal is to create a coordinated and holistic approach to address reconciliation, equity, diversity and inclusion as well as Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women, Girls and 2SLGBTQQIA* people.

The outlined approach will include engaging with Indigenous matriarchs, individuals and families with lived experience, community-based organizations and leaders, academics and service delivery organizations.

Initial discussions have highlighted the importance of several principles and approach to the strategy, including:

• A community-driven and citizen-centred approach that is flexible, responsive and respectful to the Indigenous community, organizations, families and individuals.
• That responses to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) Calls to Action, the MMIWG2S Calls to Justice and work on Anti-Racism -- although linked -- remain distinct and separate.
• The issues are complex and require a long-term strategy, while demonstrating short-term progress and outcomes.
• It is important to support and not duplicate the work of other organizations.
• The long-term strategy and actions should inform the provincial and national action plans.

A report will be provided in the future to City Council outlining the actions and projects included for implementation in the long-term strategy.

To view agendas, minutes and video for meetings of City Council, Boards & Committees, visit saskatoon.ca/agendas.

*Two-Spirit, Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning, Intersex and Asexual

In response to the new provincial public health measures, the City wishes to remind residents that masks are required when traveling on Saskatoon Transit and when accessing indoor City-operated facilities and services. City Council approved the action at its meeting on Monday, August 30 as an added safety measure to address the increasing spread of COVID-19 in our community and it is now required and enforceable under the public health order.

According to the Government of Saskatchewan public health order, youth athletes under age 18 are exempt from the masking order for indoor youth athletics and while they are actively engaged in athletic activity. Masking in venues hosting youth athletics will remain required for general entry and exit into the facility, for athletes and spectators. 

The Government of Saskatchewan also introduced a mandatory vaccination or COVID testing requirement for all Government of Saskatchewan ministry, crown and agency employees. These employees will be required to be fully vaccinated with the COVID-19 vaccine by October 1. Employees that do not provide proof of vaccination will be required to provide proof of a negative test result on a consistent basis. 

The City has been planning the launch of regular mandatory COVID-19 rapid tests for all staff who report to the workplace, with adjustments for fully vaccinated staff who choose to share their vaccination status. The program will launch October 4 for City staff.

At the earlier request of City Council and in response to the Government of Saskatchewan’s October 1 requirement to show proof of vaccination or negative test for public access to certain establishments, businesses and event venues that bring groups of people together, the City will explore the impact to civic facilities, programs and services once full details of the proof of vaccination system and technology are shared by the province.

More details on the Government of Saskatchewan’s announcement are available on their website. For the latest updates, visit saskatoon.ca/covid-19. 

One case of Dutch elm disease (DED) has been confirmed in Saskatoon. An elm sample sent to the provincial lab by the City’s Urban Biological Services staff has come back positive for DED.

In accordance with the City’s DED Response Plan, which requires immediate removal of all positive trees, crews will begin tomorrow removing the infected tree located in the Montgomery neighbourhood. Also in accordance with the City’s DED Response Plan, inspectors will follow up and search for stored firewood in yards located in Montgomery, Fairhaven, Meadowgreen and the South Industrial area in an effort to pinpoint a source. Staff will respect all physical distancing protocols as they provide the necessary inspection services.

“This discovery of Dutch elm disease demonstrates that our screening procedures and inspection program works,” says Darren Crilly, Director of Parks. “We have had success in the past with our response plan and are now taking the same aggressive action to stop it from spreading to other neighbourhoods.”

Saskatoon’s DED Response Plan requires:

• Immediate removal of all positive trees
• Disposal of infected trees at the City landfill
• Sampling of adjacent trees
• Surveillance and testing of private and public trees in the surrounding area with an intensive search for elm material and other sources of infection

“Dutch elm disease is a serious disease of the American elm,” says Jeff Boone, Entomologist. “The disease was introduced into North America in the 1930s, and has wiped out millions of elms across Canada and the United States. Dutch elm disease has been present in Saskatchewan since the 1980s and Saskatoon has not had a tree test positive for the disease since summer of 2015.”

American elm trees with Dutch elm disease may start showing symptoms as early as the month of June. Typically, the leaves will start to wilt and turn yellow, then curl and turn brown. Residents who start to notice any of these symptoms, are encouraged to call Urban Biological Services at 306-975-2890.

The most effective management strategy for DED is to not transport or store elm wood. Infected firewood is the most likely way that DED would be brought into Saskatoon.

Residents can help prevent Dutch elm disease by:

• Not pruning elms during the provincial pruning ban (April 1 to August 31)
• Not storing or transporting any elm firewood – provincial regulations prohibit the storing or transporting of elm firewood
• Always dispose of any elm wood at the City Landfill

For more information on DED, visit saskatoon.ca/dutchelmdisease.