News Releases

City Council, at its regular business meeting held on September 30, 2019 opted to maintain the list of acceptable items, minus black plastics and polycoat (e.g. disposable coffee cups), as recommend by the Administration. This decision comes during a wave of uncertainty in the global recycling markets, driven by restrictions imposed by the Chinese Government, falling oil prices, and weak market prices in the plastics market.

“An ideal scenario would have us accepting all recyclable material, but unfortunately that is out of our control,” says Russ Munro, Director of Water & Waste Operations. “Changing markets and higher processing costs are the reality we are facing, but we will continue to be diligent in working with our recycling partners to run an efficient and cost effective recycling program for Saskatoon residents. We believe the decision made by Council to enter into this long term contract will help stabilize us during this time of uncertainty in the recycling market and put us in a more favourable financial position than other prairie cities with similar recycling programs.”

City Council also opted to continue the Glass Recycling Partnership with SARCAN Recycling which would see a greater number of glass bottles being diverted for recycling. Glass will still be collected through the Curbside Program but this additional drop-off option results in less breakage and a greater potential to recycle glass containers.

The current contract for curbside residential recycling services expires on December 31, 2019, and a new contract is required for 2020 and beyond. After a competitive RFP process, the City has entered into negotiations with the highest ranked proponent to finalize an agreement. Details of the 2020 recycling program will be shared when negotiations are complete, including information on service levels, accepted materials, and rates.

The detailed report and all of its attachments can be found here.

A Queen’s Bench judge has allowed the owner of a Briarwood home – already slated for demolition – more time to file information and evidence to support the property owner’s request for an interim injunction or delay on the home’s demolition.

An injunction has not been granted.

Rather, Mr. Justice R.W. Elson today, ordered the owner of 166 Beechdale Crescent to bring back a proper application on Friday, October 11, 2019.

While this matter is pending, the City of Saskatoon has been directed not to demolish the property at 166 Beechdale. The City’s demolition is on hold.

The construction equipment, along with perimeter fencing, was already mobilized at 166 Beechdale Crescent; the construction equipment will be removed until the judge makes a decision.

Key Points:

• The owner of 166 Beechdale lives out of Canada and despite the City’s many efforts has not had any contact with the City until now 
• The property has become a serious health and safety hazard to neighbours
• Since March 2019, the City has followed the proper legal process for derelict or deficient properties
• The building may look fine on the outside, but inside it is uninhabitable and beyond a cost-effective repair 
• The property has been abandoned since 2016; as a result, the property suffered a water-filled basement from burst frozen pipes
• Because of the excessive water and moisture, severe mould damage developed throughout the entire home; the entire interior of the home is structurally unsound, again, a safety hazard.
• The demolition does not cost City taxpayers – the demolition cost is added to the property’s taxes or is the owner’s responsibility.

The City of Saskatoon has recovered roughly $400 thousand in funds that in August were directed to a fraudster’s bank account through a fraud scheme. 

City Manager Jeff Jorgenson says the City continues to actively work with law enforcement,  banks, and its legal team to recover the remainder of the stolen money.

“There is an important court hearing taking place this week in Toronto,” Jorgenson says.  “It’s expected there will be further movement on the return of more funds following that hearing. For now, the funds still remain frozen in various bank accounts.”

Jorgenson adds the internal investigation has been completed. An update report will be provided to City Council and the public in October or November 2019.

After discovering the fraud August 12, 2019, the City took quick action and on August 16, 2019, an Ontario Superior Court judge ordered the City funds to be frozen.

The vast majority of the $1.04 million obtained in the fraud scheme that has not been returned to the City has been identified, traced and locked down by the Court.

View related news releases on this matter on saskatoon.ca.

Next week, Saskatoon will host the 2019 Creative City Summit (Summit). From October 1 to 3, municipalities, arts organizations and government agencies will meet in Saskatoon to share ideas, connect and work together to build vital infrastructure for arts and cultural development in Canada. 

The Summit is the annual gathering of the Creative City Network of Canada (CCNC), an organization of municipal staff, organizations and individuals working in communities across Canada on arts, cultural and heritage policy, planning, development and support.  The CCNC exists to connect and educate the people who do this work so they can be more effective in cultural development in their communities. 

“The Creative City Network of Canada has named Saskatoon this year’s ‘Creative City.’ The Summit we will be gathering on First Nation Traditional Land of Treaty 6 and the Homeland of the Métis, and we look forward to learning more about the Indigenous culture of the region,” says Kelly Jerrott, President, Creative City Network of Canada.  “Cultural colleagues from across Canada will be sharing, learning and celebrating the significant role culture has in creating vibrant and healthy communities.”

2019 is the first time the Summit will be hosted in Saskatoon. Hosting a Summit puts the host municipality in the spotlight and raises the profile of the community across Canada by encouraging people to visit and experience the community’s cultural resources. The Summit can also strengthen the support for culture within the community and highlight local achievements.    

“The theme of this year’s Summit, ‘Growing the Creative Cultural Economy for 21st Century Cities,’ is intended to challenge delegates to view cultural assets and resources as powerful municipal economic drivers,” says Kevin Kitchen, the City’s Community Development Manager. “We look forward to learning from other cities and from creative industries on how we can further develop our own creative cultural economy in Saskatoon.” 

For more information on the Summit, visit saskatoon.ca/artsandculture and creativecity.ca.