News Releases

In supporting the City of Saskatoon’s strategic goal of Environmental Leadership, a grant totaling $30,000 is now available to local, non-profit organizations implementing and supporting sustainable initiatives. The deadline to apply for this grant is February 15, 2019.

$10,000 of this total will be allocated specifically to projects that relate to water conservation, and NEW for 2019, $10,000 will be allocated for waste diversion.

To be eligible for this grant, organizational activities must relate to one of the following categories:

• Environmental stewardship;
• Climate change mitigation and/or adaptation;
• Water conservation;
• Waste reduction and/or diversion; and
• Environmental education and/or awareness.

For more information on the City’s Environmental Grant, visit: saskatoon.ca/envirogrant.

At its meeting yesterday, City Council carried a motion to rescind a decision made November 19, 2018 regarding the implementation of a black cart variable rate waste utility for curbside pick-up at single-family homes.   

City Council has directed the Administration to report back on other funding options for the curbside waste program.

Information on possible funding options previously considered for curbside waste can be found here.

For more information about the City’s waste diversion plan, visit saskatoon.ca/wastediversion. 

At its meeting today, City Council approved a new bylaw that will regulate the operation of Transportation Network Companies (TNCs) in Saskatoon.  

Highlights of Bylaw No. 9548, The Transportation Network Company Bylaw, 2018 (Rideshare Bylaw), include:

• The minimum fare for TNCs is $3.75, which is the same as the minimum fare for taxis.
• Safety features include:
  • a TNC must disclose to a passenger, at the time of the request for service, the first name and photo of the driver and the make, model, colour, and provincial licence plate of the vehicle; and
  • a TNC must allow a passenger to track the location and route of the vehicle while carrying the passenger.
• TNC drivers cannot offer, solicit, or accept offers to provide transportation to passengers except through the transportation network, such as an app. Street hailing (flagging down a vehicle on the street) is not permitted.
• TNC vehicles must comply with provincial regulations, which require that a decal identifying the TNC be displayed on two sides of the vehicle.
• TNCs must ensure that all affiliated drivers obtain an annual vulnerable sector check; this is in addition to the annual criminal record check that TNCs must ensure for all affiliated drivers under the provincial regulations.
• Affiliated drivers have the same behavioural expectations as taxi drivers and are similarly required to provide service when appropriately dispatched.
• TNCs must pay an annual licence fee based on the number of affiliated vehicles, as well as make monthly payments of per trip fees.  An accessibility surcharge must also be remitted monthly to support the provision of wheelchair accessible taxi service.

City Council also approved a second bylaw, Bylaw No. 9549, The Taxi Amendment Bylaw, 2018 (No. 2) (Amendment Bylaw), in part to align taxi regulations with the Rideshare Bylaw and The Vehicles for Hire Act & Regulations introduced by the Government of Saskatchewan on December 14, 2018 (please visit sgi.sk.ca/rideshare for more information). 

The Amendment Bylaw further includes the extension of 16 temporary wheelchair accessible taxi licences and the establishment of a taxi cleaning fee and its reporting requirements and appeal process.

For more information on the City’s Rideshare and Amendment Bylaws, please visit saskatoon.ca/vehiclesforhire. 

The City of Saskatoon’s Emergency Measures Organization (EMO) report that today’s  notifynow test message sent to Saskatoon residents at 10:00 a.m. was executed successfully.

“Saskatoon’s population is now over 270,000 and growing. So far, we’ve had just over 24,000 residents customize their notifynow profile,” says Pamela Goulden-McLeod, Director of Emergency Planning. “We are pleased that this number continues to grow, but we would really like to see more residents customize their profile. It’s important to remember that notifynow can’t reach you and your family if you have incomplete or out-of-date contact information in the notifynow system.”

Goulden-McLeod points out, if a major and extended power outage had impacted Saskatoon, notifynow messages would have been sent directly to residents throughout the day to update them and share information.   

Did you receive your notifynow test message? Have you taken steps to be prepared, connected and informed in the event of a citywide emergency or one affecting only your neighbourhood?

“If you have a phone number that is publicly available, you may be in the notifynow system,” adds Goulden-McLeod. “However, we encourage residents to visit the City’s website to indicate how they want to receive their notifynow emergency notification messages. Many residents now prefer cell phone, text or email, or maybe all of these options and can register for up to five addresses.”

It’s easy to customize your notifynow profile and your communication preferences. Help notifynow reach you - and more Saskatoon residents with timely, trusted and targeted emergency notification messages.

“Notifynow messages should play an important part of your family’s emergency preparedness plan,” adds Goulden-McLeod. “These emergency safety messages can tell you what to do, what to expect, or even where to go in an emergency situation, and this greatly helps to reduce stress for you and those you care about.”

Visit saskatoon.ca/notifynow today to customize your preferences or call 306-975-3210 for more information.

Saskatoon Transit is encouraging shoppers to take the Jingle Bell Express during the holiday shopping season. The Jingle Bell Express, which began as a pilot last year, provides customers with easy access to Saskatoon malls without having to worry about holiday traffic or full parking lots.

“The Jingle Bell Express removes the hassle of driving and parking, but also provides users with access to malls they may not otherwise have the opportunity to visit,” says Jim MacDonald, Director of Saskatoon Transit. “Regular fares apply and the service is available from Saturday, December 8th until Sunday, December 23rd and it will be free on Boxing Day.”

The Jingle Bell Express is a special route put into place as we lead up to the holidays. It’s called Route 1225 and runs between:

• Midtown Plaza
• Confederation Mall
• Lawson Heights
• Centre Mall
• Market Mall

Route schedule.

Weekday service will be available from 5:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. and weekend service will run from 10:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. On Boxing Day, the Jingle Bell Express will be free and will operate between 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. Use the Transit App or Google Transit to plan your trip or consult the Transit website.

Jingle Bell Express riders will be asked to complete a survey for a chance to win one of five $100 gift cards provided by each participating mall.