News Releases

City agencies team up with a Wilfrid Laurier University researcher to build a data-sharing framework – the first of its kind in Canada – which will help develop better solutions for community safety and homelessness.

The City of Saskatoon, in partnership with the Saskatoon Police Service, the Saskatoon Fire Department, and Dr. Tarah Hodgkinson of Wilfrid Laurier University, have been awarded $200,000 in federal funding for a three-year Partnership Development Grant from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada (SSHRC).

“All of our organizations and service providers are often serving the same individuals who receive supports throughout the community,” says Deputy Fire Chief Yvonne Raymer. “Despite significant overlap, data sharing restrictions can prevent us from being able to share important information with each other, reduce service overlap, and coordinate our efforts to help people in the most effective way.”

Deputy Police Chief Darren Pringle says the project will help the City, Police and Fire work better together, and with their partners.

“Data restriction can lead to inefficient service delivery, service duplication, and interfere with efforts that could lead to more sustainable solutions that improve quality of life for people experiencing homelessness as well as the broader community.”

Meanwhile, this project continues a productive cooperation with Wilfrid Laurier University.

“This project builds on a ten-year relationship the City of Saskatoon has with Dr. Hodgkinson,” says Lesley Anderson, Director of Planning and Development. “It also strengthens the coordinated community safety work among the City, Police, and Fire, who have been working together since 2022.”

The coordinated community safety work has been focused on improving data collection, planning, and communications to provide a more consistent approach in working with other community partners, orders of government, and the Saskatoon public.

“This project in Saskatoon will be the first of its kind in Canada to support integrated and data-driven municipal approaches to the issues of community safety and homelessness,” says Dr. Hodgkinson. “It has the potential to be transferable to other municipalities in Canada, to support secure and de-identified data-sharing, advance evidence-based crime prevention policies in other jurisdictions, and improve municipal service delivery across Canada.”

The project will also create essential long-term pathways for secure data sharing through a non-biased third party—Dr. Hodgkinson and the secure data centre located at Wilfrid Laurier University’s Centre for Research on Security Practices (CRSP).

The Saskatoon Zoo is throwing a “BEAR-thday” party from July 21 to 27 to celebrate a major milestone for grizzly bears Mistaya and Koda, who are turning 20 years old this year!

Families are invited to join in a full week of fun and educational activities at the Kinsmen Bear Habitat.

Educational Activities and Specials: July 21 - 27

• BEAR-thday Card Station: Stop by to sign a giant birthday card for Mistaya and Koda at the Kinsmen Bear Habitat.
• Interpretive Cart: From 10:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., explore grizzly bear facts and displays hosted by the Saskatoon Zoo Society.
• Keeper Talks: Join zookeepers at 11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m. daily for engaging sessions on grizzly bear care and conservation.
• Scavenger Hunt: Follow the grizzly bear-themed clues to learn fun facts about grizzlies and find other amazing animals around the zoo.
• Zoo Gift Shop Specials: Enjoy 20% off all merchandise.
• Zoo Café Specials: Grab a bite with the Teddy Bear Picnic Lunch Special — proceeds benefit Saskatoon Zoo Society educational programs.

BEAR-thday Bash: Wednesday, July 23

• Special Presentation (10:30 a.m.): Zoo Manager Jeff Mitchell will share stories about Mistaya and Koda’s journey at the Saskatoon Zoo, along with exciting updates on plans for their future habitat. Special enrichment activities, created by the zookeeping team, will be organized for the bears.
• Birthday Cake & Timbits (11:00 a.m.): Guests can enjoy a sweet treat while celebrating with Mistaya and Koda.

“This is a wonderful opportunity for the community to celebrate two incredible animals who have touched the hearts of so many,” said Zoo Manager Jeff Mitchell. “We’re excited to share their story, offer fun family activities, and look ahead to what’s next for Mistaya and Koda.”

Visit saskatoon.ca/zoo for full event details.

The City of Saskatoon’s plan to build a long-term, City-owned organics processing facility will receive up to $8.4 million from the federal government.

Through the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund (CHIF), the Government of Canada will contribute funding for the construction of the new facility, which will provide organics processing for the residential green cart program and replace drop-off services currently offered at the City’s West Compost Depot.

“This investment is about real results for people in Saskatoon; better waste services, a cleaner environment and infrastructure that keeps up with a growing city,” says the Honourable Buckley Belanger, Secretary of State for Rural Development. “Here, and across Canada, the federal government is stepping up to support communities with the tools they need to thrive."

"This new facility is a win for our community and our environment. It means Saskatoon families will have a reliable, long-term solution for organics waste, and it brings us one step closer to a cleaner, greener city for future generations," said Mayor Cynthia Block. "We’re grateful for the federal support that’s helping us turn our sustainability goals into real, local action."

“We’re very pleased to receive this funding from the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund,” says Brendan Lemke, Director of Water & Waste Operations. “It not only helps with the cost of building a permanent, City-owned organics facility, but also supports our efforts to divert more waste from the landfill and extend its lifespan.”

The City Administration previously evaluated several long-term organics processing options and determined that constructing a City-owned facility would result in the lowest long-term cost while continuing to provide the same service levels. Planning and design for the facility is well underway. Construction will begin this summer and the facility is anticipated to open to the public in late 2026.

Since the city-wide green cart program launched in 2023, more than 40,000 tonnes of organic waste have successfully been diverted from the landfill, exceeding the lower range of annual projections.

To learn more about the Organics Processing Facility project, visit saskatoon.ca/organicsfacility.

This news release is being sent on behalf of Reconciliation Saskatoon.

Reconciliation Saskatoon invites everyone in the community to join the 2025 Rock Your Roots: Walk for Reconciliation on June 20. The Rock Your Roots Walk is usually held on National Indigenous Peoples Day, which is a Saturday this year. Holding the walk a day early allows schools to participate.

Event Details:
Friday, June 20
Walk starts at 10:30 a.m., program starts at 11:45 a.m.
Victoria Park

This walk brings the community together to honour the truth of the Residential schools and those who survived them, as well as demonstrate our collective commitment to reconciliation. This year’s theme is “waniskâk” which means “everyone wake up”.

After the walk, Reconciliation Saskatoon will host a program and activities in the park, thanks to the generous donations and support from the many community investors who have come on board to make this year’s growing event a success.

Those in attendance will have an opportunity to enjoy some performances and to listen to Elders and Residential School Survivors about the importance of reconciliation and sharing this information with the next generation.

Participants of the walk are invited to “Rock Your Roots” by wearing orange or contemporary/cultural regalia or carrying signs that celebrate their heritage.

Reconciliation Saskatoon recognizes the incredible support of Community Investors that make this walk possible. For the full list of supporters and all event details visit: Reconciliation Saskatoon | Facebook

Rock Your Roots is organized by Reconciliation Saskatoon, which is co-chaired by the City of Saskatoon. The intent of this event is to answer the TRC Calls to Action by demonstrating a commitment to Reconciliation, honouring Residential School Survivors, and continuing work towards an inclusive community. The walk has been an annual one in Saskatoon since 2016.

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Construction on the Dundonald Avenue Solar Farm is set to begin this week.

Saskatoon Light & Power is excited that work on this first-of-its kind project in Saskatoon will finally be underway. The project will enhance the municipality’s renewable energy infrastructure with a 2.8-Megawatt solar facility.

“The solar farm will support the City’s Low Emissions Community Plan and will make good use of a vacant parcel of land,” says Trevor Bell, Director of Saskatoon Light & Power. “The generation capacity is enough to power over 400 homes – which is a neighbourhood the size of Richmond Heights or the Willows.”

The solar farm will be built on approximately 6 hectares (14 acres) of land between the CN railway tracks and the Circle Drive South freeway, east of Dundonald Avenue and south of 11th Street West.

This solar farm will contribute to reducing electricity emissions by approximately 19,380 tonnes of carbon dioxide over its 30-year lifetime, marking a significant step toward a greener Saskatoon. This is the equivalent of removing about 140 cars from the road every year.

The initial phase of work will involve installing gates, fencing and other security enhancements, followed by the integration of solar panels and electrical components. To enhance biodiversity and add visual appeal, the site will feature native grasses and flowers with vines planted along the existing northwest chain-link fence.

Routine inspections will be conducted to maintain site cleanliness and minimize disruptions for the neighbouring communities. Construction will not impact traffic flow; however, temporary noise and vibration may result from the equipment used during the process.

For safety, residents are asked to avoid entering the work zone and respect construction barriers.

This project is funded in part by the Government of Saskatchewan and the Government of Canada through the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. The naturalization of the site is funded in part by the Government of Canada’s Natural Infrastructure Fund.

Visit saskatoon.ca/SolarFarm to view the sitemap renderings and additional information.

Residents in Saskatoon’s Avalon neighbourhood can look forward to reduced flood risk as the City of Saskatoon officially opens the newly upgraded Weaver Park dry storm pond. The park is open to the public, offering both improved flood protection and a revitalized recreational space.

This is the third project completed under the City’s Flood Control Strategy (FCS), which was approved by City Council in 2018. This spring, construction will start on a dry storm pond in Cumberland Park, and five more FCS projects will be built between 2025 and 2027. The Government of Canada has contributed $21.6 million towards Saskatoon’s Flood Control Strategy through the Disaster Mitigation and Adaptation Fund.

“Today marks an exciting milestone for Saskatoon’s Flood Control Strategy with the grand opening of the Weaver Park dry storm pond. The new park will not only be an important recreation space for residents, it will also protect homes from flooding. Investing in essential public infrastructure is key to building healthy, vibrant and resilient communities,” said the Honourable Buckley Belanger, Secretary of State for Rural Development, on behalf of the Honourable Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Communities and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada.

"This project is a great example of how we can build a more resilient Saskatoon while also enhancing the places where people gather and play,” said Mayor Cynthia Block. “This is about protecting homes, supporting families and investing in smart infrastructure that serves both safety and quality of life."

“We are immensely proud of how this strategy is coming to life,” said Russ Munro, Director of Saskatoon Water. “Each project completed means fewer families dealing with flooded basements and costly damage. And with Weaver Park now open, people can experience firsthand infrastructure and public spaces working together.”

Dry storm ponds hold water that would otherwise cause nearby flooding during intense rainfall. The water flows into storm drains, then runs through underground pipes into the dry storm pond. From there, the water flows toward and empties into the South Saskatchewan River.

Once the FCS projects are completed, the City anticipates seeing a substantial decrease in the amount of neighbourhood flooding in the top 10 highest risk areas of Saskatoon.

For more information about the FCS, visit saskatoon.ca/floodplan.

The City Administration will present its 2026 and 2027 Preliminary Financial Forecast to the Governance and Priorities Committee on June 11, 2025, amid ongoing inflation, rapid population growth and planned service enhancements.

“We’re sharing these early forecasts to be transparent about the financial realities facing the City," says Clae Hack, Chief Financial Officer. "While we’re confident these early forecasts won’t reflect the final 2026/2027 budget, they do provide important context around the City’s financial needs as we begin building additional scenarios for City Council to consider during its final budget deliberations this November."

Preliminary forecasts estimate a 4.4 per cent and 3.9 per cent increase in the civic operating budget, which excludes police, to cover inflation and growth for existing City services in 2026 and 2027. An additional 1.5 per cent and 1.8 per cent increase in 2026 and 2027 are dedicated to improving infrastructure maintenance and supporting major projects such as the Link Bus Rapid Transit system, future East Side Leisure Centre, and two new fire halls in the civic operating budget.

The Saskatoon Police Service’s operating budget is also facing expenditure pressures with projected increases of 10.4 per cent in 2026 and 6.4 per cent in 2027 over its existing budget.

“We continue to work diligently to identify cost savings and efficiencies as highlighted in recent independent audits and in the City’s annual 2024 Service, Savings and Sustainability Report while preserving service levels residents expect." Hack says. “During our internal review, we reduced future discretionary budget expenditures by over $9 million in 2026 alone.”

City revenues are projected to grow by about 3.5 per cent in 2026 and 4.1 per cent in 2027, mainly from increases in Saskatchewan’s Municipal Revenue Sharing Grant and the City’s general revenues. While they help reduce the overall property tax requirements for each year, they fall short of expenditure needs.

Current forecasts estimate projected property tax increases of about $22 per month or 9.9 per cent in 2026 and about $18 per month or 7.3 per cent in 2027 for an average assessed home value of $397,000, with over one-third of the increase attributed to the Saskatoon Police Service.

The Committee report proposes that the Administration continue its efforts to reduce the forecasted property tax increases by at least one percentage point each year. In addition, the Administration will work on preparing alternative scenarios for City Council to consider during its final budget deliberations in November 2025 to further reduce the budget and property tax impact.

The City of Saskatoon remains committed to fiscal responsibility and transparency while meeting the needs of a growing Saskatoon.

To learn more:

  watch this brief video, it provides an overview of the key factors the City analyzed to build out the Preliminary 2026 and 2027 Financial Forecast;

 look through the June 4, 2025, CFO 2027/2027 Preliminary Financial Forecast PowerPoint Presentation to Media

  review the At a Glance Info Sheet on the Preliminary 2026/2027 Financial Forecast; and 

  find more information on the 2026/2027 budget process on the City's website at saskatoon.ca/budget.

Construction on two new dry storm ponds begins this month in Cumberland Park and on University of Saskatchewan (USask) land adjacent to 14th St E. They are the fifth and sixth of nine Flood Control Strategy (FCS) projects the City of Saskatoon has undertaken, which will be completed in 2026.

The Cumberland Park project will reduce the flood risk for properties near the intersection of Cumberland Avenue South and Main Street, while the USask project will reduce the flood risk for properties near the intersection of Cumberland Avenue South and 14th Street East. The FCS, aimed at reducing neighbourhood flooding during intense rainfalls, was approved by City Council in 2018. 

Dry storm ponds hold water that would otherwise cause flooding in intersections and nearby properties during intense rainfalls. The water flows into the pond instead, then slowly drains into the storm sewer system. Whenever dry, it is used as recreational or park space.

The first three dry ponds constructed as part of the FCS are complete and open to the public in W.W. Ashley Park. Churchill Park, and Weaver Park. The fourth project, which includes underground storm water storage in Brevoort Park South is in service to mitigate flooding, with landscaping work to commence this year. Additionally, three more FCS projects will be built in Saskatoon in 2026 and 2027. 

For more information about the FCS program and future project locations, visit saskatoon.ca/floodplan.

Wildfires in northern Saskatchewan have forced the evacuation of a significant number of residents from the area. In response, the City was approached by the Canadian Red Cross to use Cosmo Civic Centre as a designated temporary evacuation site until it is safe for the residents to return to their homes. The costs associated with hosting the evacuees will be billed to the Canadian Red Cross.

The Canadian Red Cross is managing the evacuations and has assessed other locations in Saskatoon that can accommodate large numbers. Unfortunately, no other suitable facilities are currently available.

The City has prior experience providing evacuation spaces; Cosmo Civic Centre was the last Leisure Centre used for this purpose over ten years ago. The facility was requested by the Red Cross and has been identified as the primary choice for an evacuation space due to its size and amenities, ability to be quickly converted for emergency use, proximity to services such as retail and food, access to transit, and it is the least disruptive to the City’s overall recreational programming.

To accommodate this emergency response, Cosmo Civic Centre and arena will be closed to the public effective today. This temporary closure includes all programming, rentals and transit ticket sales. The Carlyle King Branch Library will remain open at this time.

We understand that this closure may cause inconvenience and we deeply appreciate your patience and understanding during this emergency response. The City anticipates the closure will remain in place for at least the next couple of weeks and will continue to monitor the situation closely. Updates will be shared with the public as more information becomes available.

Patrons are encouraged to visit Leisure Online at dropinschedule.saskatoon.ca for programming options available at the City’s other leisure facilities. Your cooperation and support are invaluable as we navigate this emergency together.

 For updates, please visit saskatoon.ca/cosmo.