News Releases

The City of Saskatoon in partnership with Reconciliation Saskatoon is proud to support Orange Shirt Day activities on September 30, 2017. The day aims to raise awareness of the devastating impact of the Indian residential school system on Aboriginal people and our community.

“As an Indian residential school survivor, we were taught to love God but we were also taught how to hate ourselves as native people,” says Elder and residential school survivor Frank Badger. “I still experience feelings of inadequacy and a lack of confidence due to the physical and emotional abuse I received at the school. No kids should experience what I did; we must love our kids and look after them no matter what background they have because every child matters.”

Orange Shirt Day has been gaining momentum since 2013 and was officially recognized last year by the Saskatchewan School Boards Association. Schools across Saskatoon will participate by running educational activities in the weeks leading up to September 30.

From the 1880s until 1996 when the last school closed, 150,000 First Nation, Inuit and Métis children were removed from their communities and forced to attend residential schools across Canada.

“I am inspired by Elders like Rose Atimoyoo who said, ‘The bringing up of a child can be likened to braiding a willow. It will grow as you braid it. So it is with a child – what he is taught and what is done with him as a child is how he will grow up, just like the braided willow,’” says Harry Lafond, Executive Director, Office of the Treaty Commissioner and residential school survivor. “Orange Shirt Day reminds us that love breeds love and pain breeds pain. What do we want for our grandchildren?”

All members of the community are encouraged to get involved by wearing an orange T-shirt or clothing item on September 30 and attend the Community Pancake Breakfast planned to honour residential school survivors.

“Orange Shirt Day is an important day for all members of the community to unite in a spirit of reconciliation and honour residential school survivors, their descendants and the children who were lost,” says Shirley Isbister, President of Central Urban Metis Federation Inc. “The impact of residential schools goes far beyond the children who experienced it firsthand. Even today, five generations later, my family feels the effects resulting from decades of cultural loss and intergenerational trauma inflicted on families.”

The day grew out of the story of six-year old Phyllis Webstad who wore an orange shirt on her first day of residential school. It was forcefully removed from her and her story is now a powerful reminder of the inter-generational trauma that has resulted from decades of cultural loss.

Reconciliation Saskatoon is a 58-member initiative of community organizations, non-profit organizations, businesses and partners who have come together with a singular mission: to initiate a citywide conversation about reconciliation and provide opportunities for everyone to engage in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s (TRC) Calls to Action.

For more information, visit saskatoon.ca/reconciliation, www.OTC.ca or phone the Office of the Treaty Commissioner at 306-244-2100.

The City of Saskatoon’s commitment to the TRC’s Calls to Action supports the City’s Corporate Strategic Goal of Quality of Life by identifying actions for enhancing Aboriginal well-being and participation in our community.

This initiative is made possible by the Community Fund for Canada’s 150th, a collaboration between Potash Corporation, Saskatoon Community Foundation, the Government of Canada, and extraordinary leaders from coast to coast to coast.

From the September 20, 2017 Meeting

4.1.1 Recreation and Parks Master Plan – Long Range Plan – Game Plan

4.1.1.1 Introduction and Presentation

Lynne Lacroix, Director of Recreation & Community Development

4.1.1.2 Invited Speakers and Groups

Children’s Discovery Museum

Friends of the Bowl Foundation

Lacrosse Saskatoon SWAT

Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan

Saskatoon River Park Association

Soccer, Canadian Premier Soccer League SK

YMCA

Video of presentations

Decision

*The Committee will recommend to City Council:

1. That the information be received;
2. That the Committee refer the partnership projects and business plans to the Administration to further assess the connection to the Game Plan and report back on specific priorities within these;
3. And that Administration be directed to prepare a report with funding options, and to be considered at the time of the 2018 Business Plan and Budget Review.

Background

* During development of the Master Plan, part of the process was to identify the current demands and gaps in provision of both indoor and outdoor recreation and parks, facilities, and amenities. Within the Master Plan Implementation Plan presented to City Council in July 2015, the Administration identified the top priorities for any future capital funding for both indoor and outdoor facilities. During presentation within the 2017 Business Plan and Budget Review meeting, the Administration committed to providing updated information to City Council, related to the recreation infrastructure priorities, and consideration for how these priorities will be integrated into a funding plan. The Administration committed to reporting in time for City Council’s consideration during the 2018 Business Plan and Budget Review meeting.

From the September 18, 2017 Meeting

 7.1.1.1 2018 Business Plan & Budget Update

Decision

*The Committee accepted a recommendation that the information be received.

Background

*At its August 21, 2017 meeting, the Governance and Priorities Committee considered the 2018 Business Plan and Budget Update report which outlined a current projected property tax increase for 2018 of 5.59%. It also stated that the Administration was working on several strategies to develop ideas and help mitigate this property tax impact. Further to this, a letter from the North Saskatoon Business Association (NSBA) dated August 15, 2017 was referred to Administration for further analysis and dialogue with the NSBA, following up with implementation where applicable.

7.2.1 Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Saskatchewan

Decision

*The Committee will recommend to City Council:

1.        That the City of Saskatoon enter into a Memorandum of Understanding with the University of Saskatchewan with the terms and intent as outlined in the report of the City Manager dated September 18, 2017; and

2.        That the City Solicitor be instructed to draft a Memorandum of Understanding based on the contents of the report, and to do so in collaboration with the appropriate persons at the University of Saskatchewan.

Background

*At a recent meeting of the President and Vice President of Finance and Resources of the U of S with the Mayor and City Manager, the idea of establishing an MOU was discussed as a way to be more intentional and strategic about collaborations. Following this, teams from the U of S and the City have been meeting to discuss this initiative in more detail and to work on such an MOU. Both the U of S and the City conducted environmental scans to identify and understand some of the current collaborations that exist, whether it be student internships, research projects, land management, transit agreements, or environmental initiatives. This allowed the two parties to see that strong collaborations already exist, and it also allowed for an understanding of where increased collaboration could occur and would be beneficial. The two organizations came up with: proposed guiding principles of an MOU; terms of reference for a joint working group on the MOU (under development); and plans for involving students in the joint projects when relevant.

For the second year in a row, a pink fire truck will be patrolling Saskatoon’s streets to raise awareness and money for breast cancer research. Firefighters have long seen their colleagues, mothers, wives and daughters fight breast cancer and want to make a difference.

Fire Engine 12 is wrapped in pink for the month of October. Saskatoon residents will be able to sign the pink fire truck in exchange for a $10 donation to breast cancer research. Please make sure the truck is not involved in an emergency before approaching.

Engine 12 will continue to be an integral part of the Saskatoon Fire Department’s fleet during October.  If possible, the pink truck will be at the following events:

• Nickelback Concert at Credit Union Centre on September 23^rd
• Woman’s World at Prairieland Park on September 30^th
• C95 Radio Marathon for Breast Cancer Research at Lawson Heights Mall on October 13^th
• Ladies Gala at TCU Place on October 14^th
• Local 80 Comedy Night for Breast Health at the Parktown Hotel on October 20^th  

The pink truck is the result of a three-way partnership between the Saskatoon Fire Department, IAFF Local 80 and Cowan Imaging Group who donated the costs associated with installing the wrap.

All proceeds will be donated to the C95 Radio Marathon for Breast Cancer Research to fund research being done right here in Saskatoon.

After a distinguished career of nearly 36 years, City Manager Murray Totland will retire on December 31, 2017. 

“After serving five Mayors, 11 City Councils, and the people of Saskatoon since the early 1980s, it’s time for me to move on to the next chapter,” says Totland. “I have been fortunate to have had the solid support of both Mayor Atchison and now Mayor Clark.  Managing Canada’s fastest growing city for nearly a decade has been extremely rewarding.” 

Totland thanks his staff for all of their support over the years. “Any success I have enjoyed as City Manager is largely due to having 3,600 dedicated colleagues here at the City who work tirelessly to deliver the great civic services our citizens and visitors depend upon.”

"Mr. Totland has navigated this city through many big changes and unprecedented growth over the last decade,” says Mayor Charlie Clark. “His steady leadership has been instrumental in bringing innovation and new approaches to City Hall to improve how we deliver important civic services. I have seen the dedication Mr. Totland has to the success of the City and I am grateful for his many decades of service."

Both Totland and Mayor Clark note Totland’s trusted relationship with the current and previous City Councils.

“It’s been my pleasure and privilege to serve three City Councils in this role,” Totland says. “Their support of my continuous improvement efforts over the years has been critical in our City’s pursuit to become the best-managed city in Canada.”

“Mr. Totland has built a strong relationship with every City Council I have seen him work with.”  Mayor Clark adds “I am grateful for these months we have worked together in my role as Mayor. His reassuring presence will be a challenge to replace”.

Murray joined the City in 1982, and has held increasingly senior positions within the corporation.  In 2004, he was selected as General Manager of the Utility Services Department, where one of his goals was to change the organizational culture to be more accountable, responsive, and adaptive.

In 2006, he was appointed General Manager of the Infrastructure Services Department where he adapted the change strategy to meet the requirements of this large, diverse department.  

In January 2009, Murray was appointed to the position of City Manager. 

In these capacities, Murray was responsible for delivering critical, multi‑million dollar infrastructure projects, including the $300 million Circle Drive South project, and the City’s Civic Operations Centre being delivered as Saskatchewan’s first P3 project.

“I am confident that City Council’s goal of providing our citizens with a high quality of life, and our position as an economic and cultural leader, will be in good hands with whomever City Council chooses as my successor.”

City Council will launch the recruitment process for a new City Manager in the coming weeks.