News Releases

Joint Statement Regarding JUNO Week 2020

Through our collaborative discussions and with input and guidance and the full support of our trusted partners, including the Province of Saskatchewan, the City of Saskatoon,Tourism Saskatoon, Saskatchewan Health Authority and Saskatchewan Ministry of Health, it is with an incredibly heavy heart that we collectively confirm the cancellation of the 49th Annual JUNO Awards and JUNO Week activities in Saskatoon due to concerns surrounding COVID-19. 

We are devastated to cancel this national celebration of music, but at this time of global uncertainty, the health, safety and well-being of all Canadians must stand at the forefront of any decisions that impact our communities. We know this is the right decision based on the information we currently have and are continuing to receive. The situation surrounding COVID-19 continues to evolve rapidly and we urge everyone to follow the guidelines and protocols put forth by public health officials.

We salute and appreciate all the 2020 nominees. CARAS will continue to explore options to coordinate an alternative way to honour this year’s JUNO Award winners and Special Award Recipients and support the creators and participants that so greatly benefit from the work done by CARAS and the JUNOS.

For additional information, please contact:

Victoria Gormley, rock-it promotions, victoria@rockitpromo.com

Tonisha Bath, rock-it promotions, tonisha@rockitpromo.com

The risk of contracting COVID-19 in Saskatoon and province-wide remains low and public events may go on as planned.

“At this time, Saskatchewan does not have a confirmed case of COVID-19, and the risk to Canadians remains low. SHA Public Health in Saskatoon recommends large gatherings like the JUNOS 20 Awards proceed,” says Dr. Johnmark Opondo, Medical Health Officer in Saskatoon for the Saskatchewan Health Authority.

“We continue to encourage participants and attendees to practice strong hand hygiene, minimize close contact such as no hand shaking, and should not attend if they are feeling sick. These guidelines will help prevent the spread of infectious illnesses, including influenza and gastroenteritis.”

What is the City doing to prepare?

The City of Saskatoon has been monitoring and actively engaged in assessing the impact of COVID-19 (Coronavirus) since January 2020. 

“The City has been involved in ongoing planning and information sharing on teleconference calls coordinated through the Emergency Operations Centre with at least a dozen different organizations,” says Pamela Goulden-McLeod, Director of Emergency Management Organization.

Goulden-McLeod says an expert from the Saskatchewan Health Authority – Medical Health Office takes part in every teleconference call as the City continually consults with the Medical Health Office.

“Of course, we will continue to communicate when the level of risk of COVID-19 in Saskatoon changes along with appropriate actions that can be taken.”

What are accurate sources of information?  

During any emergency or large-scale event, it is essential to follow accurate, factual, locally specific sources of information. The Government of Saskatchewan’s website remains the best source of information on this evolving situation, and is updated regularly.

Because of the fluidity of this event, we also strongly encourage anyone planning international travel to review the Government of Canada travel updates regularly for additional information.

What can you do?

As a respiratory illness, the best method to protect yourself against COVID-19 is to practice everyday preventive actions, including:

• Practice proper cough and sneezing etiquette (into the bend of your elbow);

• Wash your hands often with soap and water; if soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer;

• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth with unwashed hands;

• Maintain safe food practices; and 

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick

There is no evidence that surgical masks protect persons who are not sick. The World Health Organization does not recommend the use of any masks if you do not have a travel history and respiratory symptoms.

The City of Saskatoon has been announced as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers for the ninth year in a row. This competition recognizes employers across Canada that have exceptional workplace diversity and inclusiveness programs.

“By using our refreshed corporate values as a lens for how we work together, we’re creating a smart, healthy and safe workplace where everyone has an opportunity to shine,” says Sarah Cameron, Chief Human Resources Officer. “Over the past year, we’ve provided ongoing opportunities for employee feedback and have taken action by addressing barriers and promoting equality, dignity and respect.”

This competition looks at successful diversity initiatives in a variety of areas, including programs for employees from five groups: (a) Women; (b) Members of visible minorities; (c) Persons with disabilities; (d) Indigenous peoples; and (e) Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender/Transsexual (LGBT) peoples. Employers are compared with other organizations in their field to determine which ones offer noteworthy and unique diversity initiatives.

Highlights of City initiatives include:

• City Council’s priority on reconciliation, inclusion and diversity and developing new partnerships between Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities. The City introduced mandatory Indigenous Awareness training for employees and offers a Truth and Reconciliation Resource Kit to enable ongoing learning.

• Improving employee understanding of diversity and inclusion through a number of training initiatives covering a variety of topics, such as cultural bridging, understanding invisible disabilities and inclusive practices for LGBTQ2S identities.

• Participation in the launch of the Immigration Partnership Saskatoon office, an inter-sectional committee that works to help improve the lives of newcomers in the region.

“Through our employee training and community education opportunities, we’re raising awareness and educating our employees in areas they might never have had the opportunity to do so. These initiatives, like our mandatory Indigenous Awareness Training, are helping us create a welcoming and inclusive environment in which all employees can contribute and achieve their full potential,” says Cameron.

Canada’s Best Diversity Employers for 2020 are outlined in the March 6, 2020 edition of The Globe and Mail, as well as on Canada's Best Diversity Employers website.

The City has a long-standing commitment to diversity and inclusion, and as Saskatoon’s population continues to grow and diversify it is imperative that we recruit and retain a workforce that represents and understands the Saskatoon community.    

Work to renovate, re-animate and revitalize the Farmers’ Market Building in River Landing continues to move forward. Here’s an update:

Building Tenant

In 2019, City Council directed the Administration to find a tenant who will fully use and attract people to the Farmers’ Market Building at least six days a week. This site animation includes having a market focused on locally produced food and goods for sale.

A Request for Proposals (RFP) was released in November and it closed late December 2019. A team of City staff from departments relevant to the project evaluated the submissions.  An independent fairness monitor oversaw the evaluation process.  The team made its evaluation based on criteria outlined in the RFP and how closely a proposal met those criteria. The City is in negotiations with the highest ranked proponent, but is not yet in a position to speak publicly about any details; business discussions are ongoing and confidential.

City Council and the community will be informed once our discussions conclude; we anticipate this to happen later this spring.

Outdoor Market on Market Square

During discussions at Committee and Council in 2019, the Administration committed to City Council that we would ensure that Market Square is animated with an outdoor farmers’ market in 2020.  The City has received an application through its regular booking process for Market Square, to be used for a farmers’ market as an extension of the adjacent annual Street Stall Saturdays. As there is no building tenant at this time, the City has approved this application, as an interim initiative, in order to meet our commitment to City Council. It is anticipated to run May to September.

Roof

Last year the City discovered significant repairs were needed to the roof of the Farmers’ Market Building.  The City hired a roofing consultant to determine the best type of roof system to be installed on the building. A Request for Quotes for a roofing contractor was issued and closed last month.  The City aims to have the roofing contractor in place within the next few weeks.  Dependent on weather and the contractor’s own schedule, the work is expected to happen between May and June.

For more information on the Farmers’ Market Building at River Landing, visit saskatoon.ca/farmersmarket.

The City is saddened to learn about a fatal incident this morning (Wednesday, March 4) involving a pedestrian and a private contractor recycling collection truck. Our thoughts are certainly with this person’s friends and family at this difficult time. The collection work was being done by a private contractor for a non-City organization’s recycling contract. City workers or vehicles were not involved. Of course and if required, the City would cooperate with any police investigation.

Again, we offer our deepest condolences to everyone touched by this sad event.

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Angela Gardiner

General Manager, Utilities & Environment Department