News Releases

The Saskatoon Zoo is proud to announce its official certification as a Sensory Inclusive facility through a partnership with KultureCity, a leading nonprofit in sensory accessibility and inclusion. This milestone marks a significant step in the Zoo’s commitment to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all guests, especially individuals with sensory processing needs.

As part of this initiative, Sensory Bags are now available at the Zoo Admission gate. These complimentary bags are available for checkout with a valid ID and include KCVIP badges to help staff identify and support guests with sensory needs, fidget tools, noise-canceling headphones and other helpful resources. Each item is thoroughly cleaned between uses to ensure safety and comfort.

“Zoos are naturally sensory-rich environments, which can be overwhelming for individuals with sensory sensitivities,” said Jeff Mitchell, Zoo Manager. “By offering sensory tools and staff training, we’re making the Zoo a more accessible and enjoyable place for everyone.”

For more information about the sensory inclusive program visit saskatoon.ca/zoo.

The City of Saskatoon has released its 2024 Annual Report to the public having received the opinion of the external auditor. Per The Cities Act, the 2024 Audited Financial Statements and Financial Reports were presented to City Council for information on Wednesday, August 27, 2025.

“The 2024 Annual Report highlights the City’s progress on major projects and initiatives across our 13 Business Lines, our achievements and ongoing priorities as set out in the Multi-Year Business Plan and Budget, and the City's financial position at the end of 2024,” says Clae Hack, Chief Financial Officer.

The City had a positive financial year in 2024 due to several contributing factors:

• A higher interest rate environment brought better than expected investment returns.
• Operating revenues from Saskatoon Transit user fees continued to exceed budgeted revenue.
• Savings in software licenses and insurance costs also contributed to the overall surplus.

The City’s Financial Position remained in a healthy position at 2024 year-end with the balance of all reserves at $359.4 million.

Highlights of the Consolidated Financial Statements are included in the Summary of Consolidated Financial Statements (Appendix 2).

Award-winning financial reporting and top tier credit status continued in 2024

The City of Saskatoon received the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Canadian Award for Financial Reporting for its 2023 Annual Report, marking the 17^th time the City has received this prestigious honor. The 2024 Annual Report will once again be submitted to GFOA to determine its eligibility for another award.

S&P Global Ratings (S&P) reaffirmed the City of Saskatoon credit rating with the highest rating possible, a ‘AAA’ credit rating with a “Stable” outlook. The City has maintained the ‘AAA’/Stable credit rating for 23 years since S&P first began affirming the City’s credit rating in 2002.

The 2024 Annual Report reflects the City’s ongoing dedication to continuous improvement, accountability to the public we serve, transparency, and clarity in financial reporting.

Visit saskatoon.ca/finance to view the 2024 Annual Report. 

 

Saskatoon Transit is rolling out service improvements this fall to improve reliability and address bus overcrowding beginning this September. Riders will benefit from more frequent service, school-focused trips and longer, articulated buses on high-traffic routes during peak times.

“These changes are a direct response to what we’ve heard from our riders,” says Mike Moellenbeck, Director of Saskatoon Transit. “Improvements are focused on areas where customers were facing the greatest challenges with overcrowding, reliability and alignment with schedules, which were the routes with significant growth of high school and post-secondary students.”

Riders can expect improvements starting in September, with more coming by October as new buses arrive:

• Phase 1 – August 31
  • Increased frequency on Route 4, 43, 44, 45 and 46, serving Evergreen, Willowgrove, Arbor Creek and 115th Street.
  • Increased frequency and reliability on Route 17 from Stonebridge to USask.
  • Up to 50% more capacity with articulating buses on Routes 10 and 43 that align with high school bell times.
  • New Route 340 for Holy Cross and Walter Murray high school students, replacing Route 338 with an expanded service to Rosewood.
  • Temporary service reductions will impact Routes 2 (pm only), 22, 55, 325 (pm only), 336 and 352 (pm only).
• Phase 2 – Once new buses are integrated into the fleet, by October.
  • Introduce an extra run for consistent 10-minute frequency on Route 17 from Stonebridge to USask.
  • New Route 339 for Holy Cross and Walter Murray high schools, replacing 338 with an expanded service to The Meadows.

Temporary service interruptions

Saskatoon Transit continues to invest in its fleet with regular orders of new buses and expects delivery of ten new 40ft buses in the coming weeks with ten more arriving shortly after. While we await the arrival of new buses, there are some short-term peak-time service reductions that will affect Routes 2 Meadowgreen (pm only), 22 Confederation and 55 Lakeridge/University. High school Routes 325 (am) and 336 will also be temporarily unavailable. When new buses are integrated into the fleet, these service adjustments will be restored.

Plan ahead for September!

Saskatoon Transit encourages riders to plan their commute and check the updated schedules and routes for September using trip planning apps, such as the Transit app or Google Maps Transit and pin favourite routes to get service alert notifications. Check out the new route maps and schedules at saskatoontransit.ca.

The City of Saskatoon Parks Department has confirmed new positive cases of Dutch elm disease (DED) in three elm trees in the Montgomery neighbourhood, two cases in Riversdale, one in Caswell Hill and cases also in City Park and Sutherland.

The City has initiated its DED Response Plan, which includes:

• Immediate removal of the positive tree(s) and disposal at the City landfill 
• Increased surveillance of the surrounding area to search for stored elm wood 
• Sampling of symptomatic trees within one kilometre of the infected tree 
• Continuing regular elm surveillance and cyclical pruning of trees in parks and on boulevards

In addition to the confirmed DED cases, the City is proactively removing two symptomatic trees in Caswell Hill and Queen Elizabeth. Parks staff will be performing stored elm wood sweeps in a 1km radius around confirmed DED cases. Staff have already conducted several pro-active sweeps for stored elm wood in various neighbourhoods with over 4000 kg of wood seized so far this season.

What will happen in impacted areas?
Parks staff will be conducting surveillance around impacted areas. Surveillance of these areas includes checking every property for elm firewood or brush and removing it when it is found. If residents are not home, staff will remove the elm wood and leave an Elm Infraction Notice with a note indicating that the wood was removed.

As part of the Forest Resource Management Act, the Provincial Dutch Elm Disease Regulations, 2005 allow inspectors to enter private property to inspect for elm wood, remove elm wood and sample private elm trees. In accordance with the regulations, property owners will be asked to remove and dispose of infected elm trees.

What is DED?
DED is a serious disease caused by a fungus that clogs the elm tree’s water and nutrient conducting system, which eventually causes the tree to die. DED was introduced in North America in the 1930s and has since wiped out millions of elms across Canada and the United States. In Saskatoon, elms make up 25% of our urban forest.

How is DED spread?
In Saskatchewan, the disease is spread by several species of elm bark beetles. When beetles emerge from DED-infested wood, their bodies are coated in tiny spores from the DED fungus. As they seek out new trees or firewood to inhabit, they bring along the fungus, helping it spread. 
The beetles themselves can’t fly very far, so the primary way DED spreads over long distances is through the movement of elm firewood. The fungus can also be spread by contaminated pruning tools.

How can DED be prevented?
You can help prevent Dutch elm disease by: 
• Never storing elm wood or branches. Don’t buy or take elm wood from anyone and don’t burn it.
• Following the provincial pruning ban (April 1 to August 31). Elm bark beetles are attracted to freshly cut wood and are most active during this time period. 
• Disposing of elm wood at the Saskatoon Landfill. Do not take elm to the compost depot or put it in your green bin. Dispose of it immediately, even if it is during the provincial ban. Disposal of elm wood at the Landfill is free.

How to identify and report unhealthy elm trees and firewood
American elm trees with DED may start showing symptoms as early as June. Typically, the leaves will start to wilt and turn yellow, then curl and turn brown. If you suspect an unhealthy elm tree or are unsure of what type of firewood you have, take a photo and complete the online form at saskatoon.ca/dutchelmdisease or call Urban Forestry at 306-975-2890.

For more information on DED, visit saskatoon.ca/dutchelmdisease.
 

The City of Saskatoon is planning for the future and seeking input from city residents on its draft Strategic Plan for 2026-2029. The current Strategic Plan for 2022-2025 will be retired at year’s end.

What is a strategic plan?

The 2026–2029 Strategic Plan will serve as a vital roadmap for the City, guiding our efforts to build a safer, more inclusive Saskatoon with a resilient economy that meets the evolving needs of the city’s residents.

The strategic plan outlines the key initiatives and actions that Administration will take to achieve Council’s goals and meet community expectations. This plan also reinforces the City’s focus on building a high-performing organization that delivers results and remains accountable to residents.

“As we look to the future and plan for a vibrant and livable city for all, the 2026-2029 Strategic Plan sets the direction for Administration’s work to fully support City Council's priority areas over its next four-year term,” says Jeff Jorgenson, City Manager. “This new plan builds on our past work and aims to address key issues and challenges that come with rapid growth.”

“Over the next four years, we have the opportunity to shape Saskatoon’s future in ways that matter most — tackling homelessness and strengthening community safety, while ensuring our city remains affordable for the people who call it home,” says Mayor Cynthia Block. “With a commitment to excellence in public service — including a modern public transportation system, sound fiscal principles and strong support for our business community — we will build a Saskatoon that truly works for everyone: safe, vibrant, committed to Reconciliation and ready for the future.”

How is the strategic plan developed?

The draft 2026–2029 Strategic Plan was developed through a comprehensive process that includes research, engagement with Council and Administration and collaboration across many city departments and teams. It will reflect City Council priorities and community input while including specific outcomes, measurable indicators, and targeted actions to help move Saskatoon forward.

For the next four years, the City will focus on City Council’s ten priorities and three main areas to help the City become a high-performance organization.

Public Input

“We are now sharing our draft 2026-2029 Strategic Plan to gather broad community feedback on the collective priorities of City Council and Administration,” says Jorgenson. “I encourage residents to get involved and provide feedback to help shape Saskatoon’s future. By working together and using our resources wisely, we can focus on the right initiatives at the right time and plan for a city that reflects what matters most to you.”

The 2026-2029 draft Strategic Plan and the accompanying survey are available now at saskatoon.ca/engage. If you or someone you know cannot complete the online survey, please contact the City's Customer Care Centre at 306-975-2476 or email customercare@saskatoon.ca to request a paper copy. 

The survey is open until September 19, 2025. 

 

A lot located within the Central Industrial Area is the proposed site for a 60-bed enhanced emergency shelter operated by The Mustard Seed. The land at 170, 31 St. E. is owned by the Government of Saskatchewan and meets the following Saskatoon City Council-approved criteria:

• Room for approximately 60 beds
• Beds in an open shelter-type hall (with movable wall systems or partitions)
• Some private rooms (accessed internally)
• An area suitable for office space for site staff
• Showers, bathrooms, kitchen
• Internal and external gathering spaces (amenity spaces) available on site be considered
• Proximity to other services should be considered
• Zoned appropriately if possible, or applicable for designation under the City’s Emergency Residential Shelter zoning provision
• On February 28, 2024 City Council also directed that any site be at least 250 metres from an elementary school in the Saskatoon Public School or Greater Saskatoon Catholic School system

The Government of Saskatchewan will lead the design and construction of the enhanced emergency shelter and provide funding for its ongoing operations. It will be constructed to the requirements for an enhanced emergency shelter, including:

• Room for approximately 60 beds in an open shelter-type hall
• Flexible program and service space
• An area suitable for office space for site staff
• Showers, bathrooms, kitchen
• Internal and external gathering spaces available on site be considered

Community safety will be considered in all aspects of the design and construction of the shelter. 

The lot at 170, 31 St. E., and currently in use for Saskatchewan Polytechnic parking, is already zoned M3 -- General Institutional Service District, which means a Special Care Home is a permitted use. The site is fully serviced and zoned for this type of development. 

Subject to Council approval, the City will provide the following contributions to prepare the site: 

• Sidewalk construction from Idylwyld Drive along 31 St. E. to provide a clear sidewalk connection to the site at an estimated cost of $350,000
• Fence installation along the CPKC Rail line to the east of the site to inhibit access to and traveling along the railway corridor at an estimated cost of $50,000

An opening date of the new 60-bed enhanced emergency shelter will be finalized in the coming months. The Government of Saskatchewan and City are moving forward to respond to the increasing number of people experiencing homelessness in Saskatoon. The recent Point-in-Time Homeless Count revealed that Saskatoon is experiencing the highest number of individuals facing homelessness ever recorded: 1,499 people are experiencing homelessness, nearly triple the number recorded in 2022.

The City responded to this sense of urgency by identifying potential sites: since October 2023 and after receiving City Council direction, the City Administration has worked to identify suitable locations for the enhanced emergency shelter for Government of Saskatchewan review and approval. A temporary location downtown at 210 Pacific Avenue opened for 18 months in April 2025 while the search for the new site continued.

Enhanced Emergency Shelters

Enhanced emergency shelters operate 24 hours per day, seven days per week, providing clients with full access to shelter, three meals per day, case planning along with access to wrap-around supports to address wellness and cultural needs and assistance in connecting to services and help to transition to appropriate housing.

Since the announcement of the $40.2 million Provincial Approach to Homelessness in October 2023, the Government of Saskatchewan has collaborated with municipalities, Indigenous and community partners to deliver on its commitments, which include this enhanced emergency shelter in Saskatoon. Government will continue to work closely with the City to connect people experiencing homelessness with services and supports that meet their needs.

Neighbourhood Information Sessions

Neighbourhood Information Sessions will be held in September 2025 with representatives from the City, the Government of Saskatchewan and its service provider, The Mustard Seed, to learn about shelter operations including plans for safety and security around the facility when it is built. The City will be holding a special meeting for area businesses, stakeholders and the Central Industrial Area community and another session for nearby residents. Meeting information is available on saskatoon.ca/shelterspaces.
 

City Council has finalized key details of the Link rapid transit route along College Drive with approval to remove the above-street pedestrian overpass along the route as it no longer meets accessibility standards, with a street-level accessible crosswalk taking its place. The current crosswalk at Bottomley Avenue further west will also be removed for better traffic flow.

Council approved the finalized concept plan in June with just the question about the pedestrian crosswalk remaining for the July meeting. Link remains on course to launch city-wide service in 2028.

“College Drive plays a crucial role in the Link network—it serves as a major corridor for residents, students and workers traveling across Saskatoon,” says Terry Schmidt, General Manager, Transportation and Construction Division. “In 2025 we are on track to build approximately 44 station platforms city-wide, expanding significantly from the six built last year. With the College corridor concept plan now finalized we can look at beginning to work on College Drive in 2026.”

The dedicated centre running rapid transit lanes for Link on College Drive and 1st Avenue were approved by Council in 2019, following extensive public consultation and technical development. With upgrades to the College Drive corridor slated to begin next year, the Link team will continue work to finalize the concept plan for the 1^st Avenue corridor from 19^th Street to 25^th Street, with detailed design and tenders for the work to follow. Work on the design of the 1^st Avenue corridor is currently ongoing, and it is anticipated that public and stakeholder information sessions for the concept plan will take place this autumn, with a report to City Council planned for late 2025 or early 2026.

“The majority of the funding for Link—over 73 per cent—is being provided by the Province of Saskatchewan and the Government of Canada,” Schmidt adds. “Once complete, this system will transform transit in Saskatoon by offering more frequent, efficient and reliable service across the city.”

For more information on Link and how it will transform transit in Saskatoon, please visit saskatoon.ca/link.

A person has been sent to hospital with injuries after an incident where their legs were reportedly run over by a garbage truck. It happened around 10 a.m. in an alleyway adjacent to Avenue I and south of 22nd Street.

“Our thoughts are with this individual and their loved ones right now,” says Angela Gardiner, General Manager of Utilities and Environment.

The alley in this location is configured with a 90-degree sharp turn to the left. Initial information is an individual was lying to the side of the laneway near the left corner of the turn, near a power box and not visible to the truck operator. Garbage trucks have a right-hand driver’s seat and steering wheel to allow the operator a better view for collecting and tipping bins on the right-hand side of the truck.

Water and Waste Operations managers were on scene to provide support to the operator and to cooperate with the Police investigation. No charges have been laid.

City Council approved several significant changes to its Business Licence Bylaw regarding the sale of bear spray, aiming to reduce its misuse, particularly among youth. These changes affect all businesses that sell bear spray and will be enforced starting July 30, 2025.

Key changes to the bylaw include:

• Mandatory buyer registry:
  • Record buyer’s name, address, phone number, date of birth
  • Collect two pieces of ID (one with a photo)
  • Document product details (manufacturer, model, serial number, etc.)
  • Record date, time, and employee name who completed the sale
  • Keep records for at least two years
• Age restrictions:
  • Buyers and sellers must be 18 years or older
  • No sales to anyone who fails to properly identify themselves
• Storage and product requirements:
  • Bear spray must be stored out of public view
  • Only unmodified, clearly labeled products may be sold
• Enforcement:
  • Non-compliant businesses may face fines, suspension, or loss of licence

“Bear spray incidents in Saskatoon have more than doubled in recent years with youth-related offences increasing by over 500% since 2021.” says Mark Wilson, Licensing and Permitting Manager. “These changes are intended to reduce the availability of the product to minors, reduce the number of bear spray incidents and provide records that could assist in an investigation.”

The bylaw has been formally adopted as of July 30, 2025. Businesses known to the City of Saskatoon and Saskatoon Police Service to sell bear spray have been notified of the changes and their obligations under the bylaw. We would like to thank these businesses for their support, and for the voluntary efforts undertaken by large format sporting goods stores to check for identification prior to the bylaw coming into force.

For more information please visit saskatoon.ca/start-business