News Releases

The City of Saskatoon, Office of the Treaty Commissioner, Saskatoon Tribal Council, Central Urban Métis Federation Inc. along with 84 business and community organization members of Reconciliation Saskatoon gathered in Civic Square outside City Hall today to raise the Reconciliation flag in honour of Indian residential school and Sixties Scoop survivors.

“Looking back at what happened to us in residential schools - the loss of culture and language, the physical, sexual and mental abuse, the blatant racism we experienced – this ceremony is incredibly important to me and for all the survivors,” says Frank Badger, Elder and Indian residential school survivor.

“By going back to our roots and celebrating our culture, language and traditions, we are making our way back to who we once were as proud First Nation, Inuit and Métis people. We are teaching our ways to the generation today and those yet to be born, and we will show our children that no one will ever experience this dark time again.”

The Reconciliation Saskatoon movement has grown to 88 member organizations since the release of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada Report with the aim to further a community conversation about the process of Canadian reconciliation and to educate residents to engage in calls to action.

“In Saskatoon, there is a tremendous effort underway throughout the community to work towards reconciliation and to create a stronger Treaty relationship now and into our shared future,” says Mayor Charlie Clark.

“By honouring survivors and keeping the next generations top of mind, over 80 non-profits, businesses, institutions, and faith communities have been making a positive change in our community through the work of Reconciliation Saskatoon. It is remarkable to see such a strong community-wide support for this important work as we raise the Reconciliation Saskatoon flag this morning and recommit ourselves to a stronger community.”

Upcoming reconciliation events in Saskatoon include the official unveiling ceremony for “The Coming Spring” Reconciliation Art Project in Victoria Park on June 20 and the third annual “Rock Your Roots” Walk for Reconciliation along with National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations on June 21.  

“Reconciliation is a shared journey which begins with each and every one of us,” says Shirley Isbister, President, Central Urban Métis Federation Inc. ”It’s important for us to provide opportunities like the Flag Raising Ceremony and the Rock Your Roots walk to help people explore the meaning of reconciliation and respond to the Truth and Reconciliation’s Calls to Action.”

In 2015, Saskatoon committed to responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s calls to action, with a proclamation by City Council on June 22, declaring 2015-16 the Year of Reconciliation. In addition, the City committed to working with the Office of the Treaty Commissioner and other community groups, leaders and institutions in Saskatchewan, to promote reconciliation in our province.

For more information on events, or to have your reconciliation event added to the calendar, please visit www.OTC.ca.

The City of Saskatoon is participating in the Commuter Challenge (June 3-9, 2018), a national initiative coordinated by municipal volunteer representatives from across the country. The intent of the initiative is to encourage people to try one or multiple modes of active and sustainable transportation like transit, cycling, or carpooling.

The City of Saskatoon is putting its own spin on the initiative by inviting City employees to participate in a game of Commuter Challenge Bingo.

“Saskatoon Transit is a great fit for an initiative like this because we tick all the boxes,” says Jim McDonald, Director of Saskatoon Transit. “Bus travel is sustainable and it’s also active—the bus is typically one piece of a trip that also includes walking and/or cycling.”

“We just saw a very successful turnout for Bike to Work Day YXE, and this is our chance to build on that success,” says Jay Magus, Acting Director of Transportation. “Some feedback we received following Bike to Work Day is that it’s surprisingly easy and pleasant to bike to work. We’re hoping this day will be an opportunity for more City employees to see that cycling, carpooling and taking the bus are actually convenient, affordable and enjoyable options.”

As the City of Saskatoon continues to move towards expanding transportation options around the city – with initiatives like Bus Rapid Transit and new cycling infrastructure – participation in initiatives like the Commuter Challenge will become even more commonplace.

While this particular challenge is directed at City of Saskatoon employees, other Saskatoon organizations and individuals are encouraged to consider leading or participating in their own game of Commuter Challenge Bingo.

More information at saskatoon.ca/CommuterChallenge.

As the world prepares to watch a new generation of the Royal Family celebrate marriage vows of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle this Saturday, May 19, we have an opportunity to look back in time to share a Saskatoon story with a connection to royalty.

“We recently digitized a – colour – film of the 1939 royal visit to Saskatoon,” says City Archivist Jeff O’Brien.  “We have this one-of-a-kind treasure in the archives; with the help of social media, so many people can now experience this part of our community’s history from nearly 80 years ago.”

The film was originally produced by John Sproule Mills.  J.S. Mills was a former principal of King Edward School, instructor at Saskatoon Normal School (teacher’s college), city councillor and mayor.  The film capturing the visit of Her Majesty’s parents, King George V and Queen Elizabeth, was acquired by the City of Saskatoon Archives in 2017.

O’Brien narrates the digitized version of Mills’ film and helps transport us back to the first ever visit to Canada by a reigning King and Queen. See the digitized film on our YouTube channel. 

City staff, contractors and Costco management worked throughout the weekend and established a temporary water supply for the store as of 11 p.m. Sunday, May 13.

“We continue to work closely with Costco to help keep things business-as-usual at the store,” says Angela Gardiner, Acting General Manager of Transportation & Utilities.

Friday, May 11 the Water Security Agency (WSA) issued a Do Not Use notice after City staff suspected hydrocarbons in three hydrants on the water line that supplies Costco.

With the temporary line in place and following the usual WSA protocol, Costco will remain on a Drinking Water Advisory for the next 36-48 hours until water tests on the temporary line come back clean.

“This is a strict precaution, there is also no reason to believe there is any health risk or that any of the adjacent residential homes in Rosewood are impacted.”

In January, the WSA issued a similar notice after hydrocarbons were visually detected in some fire hydrants within one section of the Aspen Ridge neighbourhood. Even though there were no signs of hydrocarbons beyond the hydrant structures and the residential water supply continued to test clean and clear, about 10 homes have been on temporary water lines since late winter.

“Just like everyone else affected, we want some definitive answers about what’s going on,” Gardiner says. “There could be something about the materials and how they were made, or about how they were installed or there may be some other way any hydrocarbons got there.”

Gardiner says part of the investigation involves an external consultant to develop the permanent remediation plan. The current focus she says is to confirm the exact type of hydrocarbon.

“This is done by sending tests to a lab in Ontario, which takes about three-to-four weeks for results. Once the type of hydrocarbon is confirmed, we will know what direction to take.”   

The City of Saskatoon is proud to sponsor Bike to Work Day YXE, an initiative of Saskatoon Cycles, on Wednesday, May 16, 2018. The aim of this event is to encourage people to give biking to work a try and to celebrate those individuals that regularly make cycling a part of their commute.

“We’re pleased to play a role in the delivery of an initiative that encourages and supports people in trying out an active and sustainable mode of transportation,” says Jay Magus, the City’s Acting Director of Transportation. “As we continue to move towards expanding transportation options around our city – with initiatives like new cycling infrastructure and Bus Rapid Transit – we’re going to see more and more people choosing alternatives to driving.”

“We often hear from people that they’d like to try biking to work but that they feel intimidated to do it that very first time,” says Cathy Watts, co-chair of Saskatoon Cycles. “Bike to Work Day is the perfect day to give it a try because you’ll be out there alongside others doing the same thing—it will also be an extra supportive environment.”

Between 7 and 9 a.m. on May 16^th, participating local businesses and organizations will have bike stations set up around the city. Anyone on a bicycle is invited to make a stop for coffee, giveaways, or a chance to win prizes.

“These stations will attract your attention; with coffee and treats of all kinds as well as tons of encouragement to keep going,” says Watts. “It could be described as a party on the way to work. It would be best to start your commute early on Wednesday to make the most of a very fun day.”

Learn more about Bike to Work Day YXE, including details on the Workplace Challenge and a complete map of bike stations, at biketoworksaskatoon.com.