News Releases

City Council approved a new Strategic Plan for the City of Saskatoon at yesterday’s Council meeting (January 31, 2022). The 2022-2025 Strategic Plan is a guiding document that sets direction and priorities for City Council and the Administration over the next four years.

Along with the Official Community Plan and the Multi-Year Business Plan and Budget, the Strategic Plan ensures City programs and services continue to address the changing needs of our community, while keeping within our financial means.

The City’s 2018-2021 Strategic Plan was retired in December 2021.

Mayor Charlie Clark says: “The foundation of the 2022-2025 Strategic Plan is miyo-pimatisiwin (me-o-pi-ma-ti-si-win) which is a Cree phrase meaning 'the good life' for all residents. I believe this is a powerful common purpose to focus our efforts around. We are living in very dynamic times, and it is essential that we plan strategically to create the conditions for our citizens to live a good life here. I am proud of the work done by citizens, our staff, and my Council colleagues to bring this plan together and focus our work in the years ahead.”

City Manager Jeff Jorgenson says: “I’m proud of the work our Council and Administration have done in pulling together this vision for the City of Saskatoon over the next four years. The process, and the discussions and decisions that were a part of that, enabled us to land on one clear and powerful document that will be the focus for the work of thousands of City employees in the years ahead.”

What’s in the Plan

The 2022-2025 Strategic Plan was developed using contributions from the public, Council, and City employees. The following three pillars underline the identified deliverables and the key actions to achieve them:

1. Advance City Council's Priorities
2. Deliver Excellence in Core Services and Operational Priorities
3. Drive Corporate Transformational Change

Certain elements of previous strategic plans remain relevant and are included in this new one, including the Vision, Mission, Values, Purpose and Strategic Goals.

Public Input

A draft version of the 2022-2025 Strategic Plan was made available for public feedback between Oct. 27 and Nov. 10, 2021. Residents were invited to review the draft plan and provide input using a public survey. A summary on What We Heard was attached to the information report put before Council on Nov. 22, 2021.

What’s Next

In the weeks ahead, the City will be ensuring its various departmental business plans and employee work plans align with the Strategic Plan. This alignment will ensure Council and Administration are working toward the same outcomes and optimizing resources by focusing on the right initiatives at the right time.​​​​​​​

The City’s newly approved 2022-2025 Strategic Plan is available at saskatoon.ca/StrategicPlan.

Following the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (NDTR) on September 30, 2021, the Saskatoon Tribal Council has initiated a campaign called #ActOnReconciliation. It’s intended to harness the momentum of NDTR and Orange Shirt Day (also September 30) and keep Reconciliation top of mind all year long.

The campaign coincides with a time when the devastating discoveries of unmarked graves at former residential schools keep coming. Yesterday, Williams Lake First Nation announced the discovery of potential human burials on the former grounds of St. Joseph's Mission Residential School in British Columbia’s central interior. The City of Saskatoon is lowering its flags to show support for Williams Lake First Nation, Survivors, and all families impacted by residential schools.

Saskatoon Tribal Chief Mark Arcand says: “Sharing how we are going to take action going forward to make reconciliation happen is the way through the dark history of Residential Schools to heal our intergenerational trauma and improve the quality of life for our people. It is by coming together united in a common cause, such as the movement #ActOnReconciliation, that we build community and strengthen relationships to move forward in a good way.”

The City is supporting this initiative by challenging its employees and Saskatoon residents to act on Reconciliation throughout 2022.

Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark says: “Reconciliation begins with truth. And every day, we hear more truths about the injustices that Indigenous peoples have faced in our community and our country – from hurtful comments to structural racism to the deaths of children, as we learned about yesterday from Williams Lake First Nation. We have a role and a responsibility to act on these truths, every day, with an open mind and heart, and to be part of building a community that honours all of us equally.”

The City’s Director of Indigenous Initiatives, Melissa Cote, says: “The demonstrations of support in our community for Reconciliation this fall were unprecedented—but Reconciliation is more than one day. We need to keep making steps forward on our journey to Reconciliation, as individuals and organizations; undertaking big and small actions to continue the healing in our community.”

#ActOnReconciliation Challenge

On the last Friday of each month, the City is encouraging its employees and all Saskatoon residents to:

1. Wear their EveryChildMatters shirt or any other orange shirt.
2. Consider taking up the suggested Reconciliation action for the month (see below) or any other Reconciliation action.
3. Use the hashtag #ActOnReconciliation to share the action they’re taking and challenge their followers to also #ActOnReconciliation.

Suggested action for January – Land Acknowledgment

Consider adding a Land Acknowledgment to your e-signature, newsletter, website, or other. Post a Land Acknowledgment at your place of business/learning/recreation/other. Learn why Land Acknowledgments matter and how to create yours by checking out this Teaching and Learning material provided by the University of Saskatchewan.

In order to establish and maintain a mutually respectful relationship between Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) found that “there has to be awareness of the past, an acknowledgement of the harm that has been inflicted, atonement for the causes, and action to change behaviour.”

The City has been actively engaged – as a municipality, Co-Chair of Reconciliation Saskatoon, and through other community partnerships – in efforts to help raise awareness about Reconciliation and in providing opportunities to participate. Learn more at saskatoon.ca/Indigenous.

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

“We are very pleased to receive S&P Global Ratings ‘AAA’/Stable credit rating today especially given the financial challenges the City and other municipalities have weathered because of the COVID-19 pandemic. This rating supports the City of Saskatoon’s ongoing strong governance and financial management practices,” says Clae Hack, Chief Financial Officer. “The City’s prudent financial management and strategies have allowed us to continue providing essential core services while balancing our budgets during the ongoing financial disruption from COVID-19 over the last two years.”

Noting Saskatoon’s diverse economy and observing the City’s “strong operating surpluses and prudent financial management”, today’s release of the S&P Global Ratings report reaffirmed ‘AAA’ long-term issuer credit and senior unsecured debt ratings on the City with an outlook that is “Stable”.

S&P expects “the global pandemic will continue to affect economic growth in 2022 as social distancing and other preventative measures slow business activity,” but further note that they “believe this slowdown will be temporary and (Saskatoon’s) economic diversity and ongoing population growth should continue to support GDP per capita growth in line with Canada's over the forecast horizon.”

“Maintaining the City’s ‘AAA’ rating which includes a stable outlook, is important as it supports our confidence in our budgetary decisions, financial management and overall economic outlook for the City of Saskatoon,” adds Hack. “We are a municipal leader and remain assured in our ability to minimize debt as we commit to priorities within the City’s 2022-2025 Strategic Plan and undertake long-term planning for infrastructure to support our great quality of life in Saskatoon.”

Key rationale within the January 18, 2022, S&P Global Ratings Direct® Report include:

• The City's “strong and prudent financial management is a key credit strength” and its “management team is experienced and qualified to effectively enact fiscal policies and respond to external risks.”
• The City “demonstrates good political and managerial strength with its lengthy track record of passing budgets with minimal variations from budgeted revenues and expenses.”
• “Management’s disclosure and transparency are good, and the City prepares robust annual budget documents, with multi-year operating and capital budgets and long-term capital and borrowing plans.”
• The City’s “strong budgetary performance will assist in keeping the debt burden manageable.”
• An “exceptional liquidity position will continue to support its creditworthiness.”

Credit ratings are one of several tools that investors and lenders use when making decisions regarding an organization’s future financial strengths and weaknesses. For the City of Saskatoon, the ‘AAA’/Stable rating serves as an indication of the credit risk and ability to meet its financial obligations in full and on time. This also identifies the credit quality of the City’s debt issue and can translate into lower interest rates for favourable credit ratings since there is minimal or low risk associated with the City’s debt.

To learn more about the City of Saskatoon’s financial performance and credit rating, visit saskatoon.ca.

The Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) has been closely monitoring life and fire safety at the Lighthouse Supported Living Facility. As a result, ongoing inspections dating to April 2021 have revealed a number of deficiencies that must be remedied to make sure work and living conditions at the facility do not deteriorate.

“Our focus at the Lighthouse is community safety,” says Assistant Chief Yvonne Raymer. “We want to ensure all life safety measures are in place so that any concerns or deficiencies can be easily rectified. We don’t want the issues to compound like we have seen elsewhere, so we’re keeping a close eye on the building and staying on top of inspections at the Lighthouse.”

Inspections and results:

• One fire inspection in April 2021 and four re-inspections since (three in December 2021 and one in January 2022)
• Four Property Maintenance Nuisance Abatement Bylaw inspections (September, November and January)
• 42 Fire Safety Act contraventions pertaining to failing to maintain life safety systems and building systems (i.e. electrical, sprinklers, fire alarm system, lack of records, failing to maintain means of egress, failing to maintain fire separations)
• One Fire Safety Act Order to Remedy related to 42 contraventions
• Two Bylaw Orders to Remedy (one for structural assessment-December; one for various property maintenance issues-January)
• Fire investigation December 10 revealed careless disposal of smoking materials
• 14 tickets related to the 42 Fire Safety Act contraventions (issued December 10 & January 6)
• One ticket related to junk/garbage under the Property Maintenance Nuisance Abatement Bylaw (January)

There are outstanding issues arising from inspections that remain under investigation.

SFD will not be closing the Lighthouse; inspectors determine the risks in the building are less than the risk posed by displacing occupants. Instead, SFD has issued Orders to Remedy. The Lighthouse has been ordered to fix the hazards by the end of January. If the hazards are not remedied by then, SFD may contract the work, bill the Lighthouse for the repairs and then discuss payment terms.

Following the most recent visit to the Lighthouse on January 4, that inspection identified:

• Two sinks removed in a bathroom off the dining room, which is currently converted into a temporary shelter area due to COVID-19
• One water heater not working; multiple other water heaters remained fully functional
• A small water and sewer backup in the service room with slight wet staining around the drain

Since the January 4 inspection, the water heater has been fixed. Showers and sinks with hot water remained intact for all other suites and bathrooms. The deficiencies identified by SFD are considered to be minor and can be rectified by a plumber.

“We are not aware of the current financial situation of the Lighthouse, but it is our view that the repairs required to complete the orders are relatively minor,” notes Assistant Chief Raymer. “However, if the Lighthouse requires assistance in completing these repairs, we would invite them to reach out to the Saskatoon Fire Department to discuss their various options.”

Other deficiencies can be fixed by hiring qualified tradespeople or other service contractors that would be able to ensure the Lighthouse is a safe facility for staff and residents.

The City of Saskatoon, Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities (Jumpstart) and Hoist the Hoops have drafted an agreement that proposes the construction of a world-class outdoor accessible basketball facility in the River Landing area. Under the gift agreement, Jumpstart, with the support of local Canadian Tire Dealers, Dave Deplaedt and Paul Cairns, will provide a gift-in-kind for design and construction of the multi-court facility, with construction potentially to begin in 2022. The details of the updated project will be presented to City Council’s Standing Policy Committee on Planning, Development and Community Services (PDCS) on Monday, January 17, 2022.  

“The Hoist the Hoops initiative has done an amazing job to bring to life a vision where youth can play basketball outside with no financial, social or other barriers,” says Andrew Roberts, Director of Recreation and Community Development. “With Jumpstart’s support to the project, Saskatoon could soon see a sports facility that serves the community in a unique and important way and will offer other benefits like camps and sporting events.” 

Hoist the Hoops is a local initiative spearheaded by Michael Linklater, Marcus Storey and Michael Donauer who saw the need for an outdoor basketball facility to serve as both a sports opportunity and a way to bring community together in Saskatoon’s core neighbourhood.

City Council approved the original concept plan that was presented and agreed to provide other supports to the initiative. Jumpstart then reached out to Hoist the Hoops in the fall of 2021 to see what support they could offer, resulting in the gift-in-kind proposal and a revised concept plan. 

“At Jumpstart, we know that sport and play is about more than getting active, it’s about building stronger individuals, and more inclusive and healthier communities,” says Scott Fraser, President, Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities. “We are proud to work with our local Canadian Tire Dealers, the City of Saskatoon and the Hoist the Hoops initiative to bring this ambitious project to the River Landing community.”

The revised concept plan includes a full-size International Basketball Federation (FIBA) basketball court, two regulation 3-on-3 courts, lights, a shade shelter and up to six basketball standards with backboards, rims and nets.  

The concept is rooted in the Truth and Reconciliation Call to Action #90 “To ensure that national sports policies, programs and initiatives are inclusive of Aboriginal peoples.” Throughout the planning process, a representative from Hoist the Hoops has been in discussions with Elders, Residential School Survivors and community members about the outdoor basketball multi-court facility. These discussions will continue with the community to develop the facility name and other key elements.  

About Jumpstart: Canadian Tire Jumpstart Charities is a national charity committed to ensuring kids in need have equal access to sport and recreation. With an extensive, national network of more than 1,000 grantees and 289 local chapters, Jumpstart helps eligible families cover the costs of registration, transportation and equipment, and provides funding to selected organizations for recreational infrastructure and programming. Supported by Canadian Tire Corporation, Jumpstart has provided more than 2.5 million opportunities for Canadian kids to get in the game since 2005. For more information, visit jumpstart.canadiantire.ca. 

The City is actively monitoring the Omicron variant and the impact on operations and the core services Saskatoon’s residents rely on even as the colour-coded risk level has moved to red-level status. 

In Fall 2021, the City implemented a COVID-19 risk decision-making framework which presents a colour-coded risk level and measures for consideration at each level to City Council for approval near the end of each month that remain in place for the following month. For January 2022, the Council-approved status is yellow [caution]. 

In the interim, the framework is updated weekly to monitor any changes in the primary indicators, but no potential changes are made to the framework until the next Regular Business Meeting of City Council -- or if City Council decides to hold a special meeting. The primary indicators for the current week of January 5th indicate that Saskatoon has entered red-level status.

“We are anticipating and planning for the likelihood that City staff will need to be away from the workplace due to COVID-related illness and self-isolation resulting from the Omicron variant in our community,” says Pamela Goulden-McLeod, Director of Emergency Management Organization. “However, we want to stress to residents that core services are being maintained.”

The City has a number of measures in place to mitigate the potential of COVID-19 transmission in the workplace, including, but not limited to: an Employee Mandatory COVID-19 Proof of Vaccination or Proof of Negative Test Program, the requirement for all staff to complete a Fit For Duty health screening form prior to attending to the workplace, masking and physical distancing protocols, enhanced cleaning, physical barriers, and staff who have been working from home are continuing to do so, with in-person meetings discouraged at this time unless they are critical in nature. 

“These measures have worked to keep our staff safe and services operating throughout previous waves of COVID-19, and we continue to enhance our safety plans and business continuity processes to respond to the fifth wave,” says Goulden-McLeod.

Core City Services

Goulden-McLeod says the core services currently continue: garbage collection remains on schedule; roadways snow clearing is progressing as scheduled; water treatment remains reliable and safe; wastewater processes remain unaffected; City repair and maintenance projects are happening; Saskatoon Light & Power service remains unaffected.

Saskatoon Transit, Leisure Facilities & City Hall Lobby

Saskatoon Transit service is being affected by the cold weather.

Leisure Centres, Indoor Arenas, and City Hall lobby remain open and operating with a focus on staff and customer safety under the current Public Heath Orders and previous direction of City Council. Cancellations and modifications have not been made to Leisure Centre or Indoor Arena programming at this time.

Emergency Services

The Saskatoon Fire Department is not currently experiencing any significant staffing challenges. 

“We continue to watch and plan for any impact of the Omicron variant on staffing levels by reviewing our business continuity plan to ensure that core safety services can continue to operate in the community,” says Morgan Hackl, Saskatoon Fire Chief.

Saskatoon Police Service Deputy Chief Mitch Yuzdepski says community safety measures remain firmly in place.  

“The Saskatoon Police Service has a business continuity plan in place to ensure that there will be no disruption to front-line services. This plan includes folding-in other police units to support frontline resources as required,” says Deputy Chief Yuzdepski.

For the latest information, visit:
saskatoon.ca/covid-19 
saskatoontransit.ca 
saskatoonpolice.ca

Once again, SGI and Saskatoon Transit have partnered to offer free late-night transit service on New Year’s Eve.

“Having free Transit service on New Year’s Eve removes any financial barrier to planning a safe ride home after a night out,” says Jim McDonald, Director, Saskatoon Transit. “We encourage everyone to plan their route before heading out using the real-time mobile app Transit.”   

Residents are encouraged to think about using a variety of transportation modes on busy nights like New Year’s Eve. Multi-modal options are available on the Transit app. You can plan your trip taking the bus out of the downtown or busy areas and book your ride share for the short distance home all from inside the app. Transit+ seamlessly integrates a Riide vehicle with a transit connection, hailing a Riide to connect your bus journey with a vehicle for hire.

By combining modes of transportation residents can minimize wait times and costs.

Free bus service will be available on Friday, December 31, from 7:00 p.m. until 3:00 a.m. on January 1 (times may vary slightly by route).

Masks are required on Transit. Click here for more information on current health and safety measures in place on Saskatoon Transit.

For a transit schedule go to SaskatoonTranist.ca/route-and-schedules, use the transit app or call 306.975.3100 for help with trip planning.

“I can’t stress this enough: plan for a safe ride home. There is no reason for impaired driving, especially on New Year’s Eve,” McDonald says. “We are thankful to have SGI as a partner in providing free transit service on New Year’s Eve.”

Access Transit is free for registered customers as well but must be reserved.

Making parts of downtown more pedestrian-friendly, creating diversified housing close to the riverfront, and repurposing barren or underused properties to meet community needs are among key ideas gleaned in a study on making downtown Saskatoon a more desirable place to live.

“The goal was to understand, from people who live downtown or would consider living there, what about the area makes it an attractive option and what barriers exist to people from falling in love with the idea of living a downtown urban lifestyle,” said University of Saskatchewan (USask) researcher Ryan Walker.

The project, which involved an online survey of 470 residents in downtown Saskatoon and 10 other neighbourhoods, as well as five focus group discussions via videoconference, was funded by Research Junction, a joint initiative by USask and City of Saskatoon (City).

“Sustainable growth is a strategic goal for the City, and enhancing downtown as a residential environment and getting more people living there is a priority,” said the City’s Director of Planning and Development, Lesley Anderson.

Among the key findings:

• The South Saskatchewan River and Meewasin Valley are downtown’s biggest assets, and people want to live within a few blocks of them. Amenities such as an expanded network of public spaces should be programmed with interesting things to do in all seasons.
   
• The convenient lifestyle of proximity to work, school, retail, businesses, services, and action at venues such as restaurants, bars and other public amenities are top reasons to live downtown.
   
• Diversified housing options in terms of architectural style, on-site amenities, and price points, especially in the mid-range suitable for families are in short supply. A push to develop barren lots and underused buildings is needed.
   
• The art gallery, theatre, and public library facilities are important public and private investments for a downtown urban lifestyle.
   
• Downtown respondents felt they aren’t in close community contact with business owners and are often not perceived as a target market.

Building an environment that attracts more people to live downtown can make residents a key target market, and change the debate around issues such as transit, bike lanes and parking, said Walker, principal investigator and professor in the department of geography and planning in the College of Arts and Science. Graduate student Zoe Hagen was co-investigator.

While the lack of grocery stores and feelings of being unsafe in the area remain predominant concerns, he said these challenges, especially about safety, aren’t insurmountable.

“The best way to resolve the perception of a decline in safety is to be persistent and continue to really promote residential development,” Walker said. “When you have people living downtown in higher numbers, there’s more passive street surveillance and a sense of community. The issues of safety perception sort of resolve themselves.”

Anderson said the City will use the findings from this research to help in the planning of major and minor projects downtown, including streetscape and public realm projects, as well as the upcoming Downtown Arena and Entertainment District master plan.

Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the need for affordable housing and led to rising levels of homelessness. The Government of Canada created a national strategy to build hundreds of thousands of units and provide affordable housing to people across the country. By continuing to make investments in affordable housing, the government is building stronger communities, creating jobs, and growing our middle class, while fighting homelessness and helping vulnerable Canadians.

The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion, Marv Friesen, Member of the Legislative Assembly for Saskatoon Riversdale, and Charlie Clark, Mayor of Saskatoon, today announced $7.5 million to create an estimated of 32 new affordable homes for individuals and families in Saskatoon through the Cities Stream under expanded Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI). These housing units will support Canadians who are in uncertain housing situations, experiencing or at risk of homelessness, or living in temporary shelters because of the pandemic.

The building for Cress Housing Corporation will be located at 115 Columbian Place and the building for Central Urban Métis Federation Inc. will be located at 1520 19^th Street West. All 32 units will be targeted at Indigenous People and of those units, 9 will be for Indigenous women and their children. For both projects, substantial completion of construction is expected by Fall 2022.

This new investment will create thousands of good jobs in the housing and construction sector, grow the middle class, and build back stronger communities, while getting us closer to our goal of eliminating chronic homelessness in Canada.

Quotes:

“Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. Today's funding through the Rapid Housing Initiative will go a long way to support those who need it most by quickly providing nearly 32 new affordable homes for vulnerable individuals and families in Saskatoon to keep them safe. This is one of the ways our National Housing Strategy continues to ensure no one is left behind.” – The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC)

“The Government of Saskatchewan and Saskatchewan Housing Corporation are proud to support the important work of Cress Housing Corporation and Central Urban Metis Federation Inc. through the Saskatchewan Co-Investment Program. This investment will develop a total of 32 new housing units in Saskatoon and will provide more affordable housing options for individuals and families in need. This is an important step towards achieving our goals in the Provincial Housing Strategy to support those in greatest housing need.” – The Honourable Lori Carr, Saskatchewan Minister of Social Services and Minister Responsible for Saskatchewan Housing Corporation

“Everyone deserves a roof over their head and a safe place to call home. Today’s announcement of additional funding through the Rapid Housing Initiative will have a huge impact on our most vulnerable citizens who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of being homeless. The availability of affordable housing is scarce in our region. These new homes will make a difference in ending the cycle of homelessness. I would like to thank the federal government for their ongoing support and commitment to creating affordable housing for our most vulnerable individuals and families.” – George Chahal, Member of Parliament for Calgary Skyview

“It has become clear that one of the biggest gaps in the housing continuum in Saskatoon is supportive housing.  People struggling with trauma, addictions and mental health need to have safe and stable housing. These two Rapid Housing Initiative Projects will play a crucial role in helping fill this gap in our community. Thank you to the Federal Government for the funding support and to City staff, SaskHousing and partners for your hard work facilitating this application process.” – Charlie Clark, Mayor of Saskatoon

"We plan for a two-storey, 18-unit facility that will serve single males who are disproportionately represented in the homeless population. This supported living facility includes a family/cultural space, along with office and meeting spaces on the main level. STC and our member Chiefs are proud to have Cress Housing Corporation serve as a proponent of this project contributing to this important work that improves the quality of life for people." – Saskatoon Tribal Council Chief Mark Arcand, Cress Housing Corporation

“We are very pleased to be participating in the Rapid Housing Initiative. With this funding, CUMFI will be able to provide fourteen suites for families at risk of homelessness, with nine homes specifically for Indigenous women and children. By providing a supportive living environment, CUMFI’s goal is for families to have a roof over their head and food on the table, so they can begin to think about education, employment and feeling that they are part of a caring community.” – Shirley Isbister, President of Central Urban Métis Federation Inc.

Quick facts:

• The RHI is delivered by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), under the National Housing Strategy (NHS). 
• Canada’s NHS is an ambitious, 10-year plan that will invest over $72 billion to give more Canadians a place to call home. Launched in 2017, the NHS will build and repair thousands of housing units, and help households with affordability support. 
• The RHI is a $1 billion program launched in October 2020 to help address urgent housing needs of vulnerable Canadians, especially in the context of COVID-19, through the rapid construction of affordable housing.
• Due to this success, an additional $1.5 billion for the Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI) was announced through Budget 2021 with $500 million in funding under the Cities Stream being allocated
• to the following municipalities: Burnaby, Calgary, Capital Regional District, Durham, Edmonton, Gatineau, Greater Sudbury, Halifax, Hamilton, Iqaluit, Kingston, Laval, London, Longueil, Montreal, Niagara, Ottawa, Peel, Quebec, Regina, Saskatoon, Surrey, St. John’s, Toronto, Vancouver, Waterloo, Whitehorse, Windsor, Winnipeg, and Yellowknife. Under the Projects Stream: $1 billion has been allocated to eligible applications submitted during the RHI’s initial application period last fall and having not yet received funding.
• Based on feedback from stakeholders, this summer CMHC introduced new flexibilities to the RHI: 
  • Program applicants were eligible to receive funding for additional forms of new construction beyond modular, if units can be built within 12 months.
  • Non-profits had the opportunity to demonstrate that they have the financial capacity to support the viability of units without government subsidy (self-funded). 
  • Cities were provided a longer time to submit projects (60 days instead of 30).
  • Project delivery timelines were adjusted for projects located in the North and special access communities.
• At least 25 per cent of this new funding will go toward women-focused housing projects. The units will be built within 12 months of when funding is provided to program applicants.
• The RHI will continue to prioritize proposals that target units serving Indigenous peoples and other vulnerable groups. It will also continue to provide flexibilities on timelines to Indigenous governing bodies or organizations as needed.
• The RHI takes a human rights-based approach to housing, serving people experiencing or at risk of homelessness and other vulnerable people under the NHS, including: women and children fleeing domestic violence, seniors, young adults, Indigenous peoples, people with disabilities, people experiencing mental health and addiction issues, veterans, LGBTQ2 individuals, racialized and Black Canadians, and recent immigrants or refugees.
• CMHC supports the government’s efforts to improve the well-being of Canadians facing housing and homelessness challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Associated links:

• Rapid Housing Initiative  
• National Housing Strategy 
• New Rapid Housing Initiative to create up to 3,000 new homes for Canadians 
• Rapid Housing Initiative will exceed targets by creating more than 4,700 new homes for Canadians 
• Budget 2021: A Recovery Plan for Jobs, Growth, and Resilience 

As Canada’s authority on housing, CMHC contributes to the stability of the housing market and financial system, provides support for Canadians in housing need, and offers unbiased housing research and advice to all levels of Canadian government, consumers and the housing industry. CMHC’s aim is that by 2030, everyone in Canada has a home they can afford, and that meets their needs. For more information, follow CMHC on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook.