News Releases

The Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo is saddened to share that Kazi, the Zoo’s 19-year-old snow leopard, was humanely euthanized this past weekend following a period of veterinary care.

Kazi had been closely monitored by the Zoo’s animal care and veterinary teams as his health declined due to advanced age. After careful and ongoing assessment of his condition and quality of life, the difficult decision was made to euthanize him.

Kazi had just turned 19 in June. He played an important role in the Snow Leopard Species Survival Plan Program for several years before enjoying his retirement at the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo. Kazi was born at the Toronto Zoo and later came to Saskatoon from the Edmonton Valley Zoo.

He was a valued member of the Zoo family and will be deeply missed by the staff who cared for him, as well as by the many visitors who came to know him over the years.

Snow leopards are often called the “ghosts of the mountains” because of their remarkable camouflage and elusive nature. Even in his habitat, Kazi could sometimes be hard to spot, often found resting high on his wooden structure or tucked beneath it near his favourite rock. For many guests, catching sight of Kazi was a special and memorable part of visiting the Zoo.

“Caring for animals also means making difficult decisions when their quality of life declines,” said Jeff Mitchell, Zoo Manager. “This was not a decision made lightly. Our team cared deeply for Kazi and we are grateful to the animal care and veterinary professionals who supported him with compassion every step of the way.”

Animals like Kazi create lasting connections with our community. We know many residents and visitors will share in this loss and we thank them for their care and compassion as our team mourns his passing.

The Zoo will set up two commemorative signs later this week outside the snow leopard habitat, where visitors will be welcome to leave a message for Kazi.

The Saskatoon Fire Department will resume its search operations for the individual who entered the weir late yesterday afternoon. The SFD boat 2 will search both banks and the river downstream from the Wier.

The personal watercraft (PWC) was recovered yesterday and turned over to the Saskatoon Police Service.

Further updates will be provided as new information becomes available.

Saskatoon Fire Department water rescue crews were called at 4:49 p.m. Saturday to respond to reports of a jet ski rider in distress near the weir on the South Saskatchewan River adjacent to the train bridge and 33^rd Street East.

On arrival, fire crews began a rescue mission with a specialized vessel designed for weir rescue operations.

The rescue mission has transitioned to a recovery mission and the fire department continues the search for the missing jet ski operator. The public is asked to avoid the area.

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

Reconciliation Saskatoon invites everyone in the community to join the 2026 Rock Your Roots Walk for Reconciliation on June 19, 2026, recognizing National Indigenous Peoples Day.

This year is a special year because it marks 10 years since the very first Rock Your Roots Walk and the formation of the Reconciliation Saskatoon collective. This year is also the 150^th Anniversary of Treaty 6, commemorating when First Nations and the Crown entered into the Treaty 6 agreement in 1876.

Event Details:

When: Friday, June 19, 2026

Time: 10:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m.

• Walk starts at 10:30 a.m.
• Program starts at 11:45 a.m. with the Grand Entry.

Where: 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 “āhkamēyimok” which means “we all persevere”.

Following the walk, Reconciliation Saskatoon will present a program and host activities in the park, made possible by the generous contributions and support of numerous community partners who have helped ensure the continued growth and success of this event.

Attendees will have the chance to experience performances and hear from Elders and Residential School Survivors, who will share their perspectives on the importance of Reconciliation and passing this knowledge on to future generations.

Walk participants are encouraged to “Rock Your Roots” by wearing orange, donning contemporary or traditional regalia, or carrying signs that honour and celebrate their heritage.

Reconciliation Saskatoon recognizes the incredible support of Community Sponsors that make this event 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.

With planned completion for the new 60-bed enhanced emergency shelter located at 170 31st Street East in spring 2027, an application to the City has been made to extend the current operation for the temporary location at 210 Pacific Avenue until May 31, 2027. The extension should allow sufficient time to complete construction and transition operations to the new location. 

210 Pacific Avenue began shelter operations on April 1, 2025. The current approval of 210 Pacific Avenue was for 18 months with an end date of September 30, 2026. The Government of Saskatchewan’s request is a new application for a period of operations from October 1, 2026 to May 31, 2027. 

This application requires the use of the “Emergency Residential Shelter” provisions of Zoning Bylaw No. 9990. City Council approval is required for the length of time of operation for a temporary Emergency Residential Shelter for a period of up to 18 months. City Council is also required to approve the lease, and the request for a below market value lease rate.

City Council can approve the recommended length of time or put forward a motion for an alternate period between 1 and 18 months. Considering the construction timeline for the new shelter facility at 31st Street East, an approval for any reduced period could result in an overall reduction of 40 shelter beds available in Saskatoon, which are currently operating in the temporary facility. 

Should City Council approve, no changes in operations are expected from how the site operates today and the current Safety and Security Plan will remain in effect. The Mustard Seed remains the Government of Saskatchewan’s service provider for this location.

The City Administration will request Council approval to begin negotiations with Muskeg Lake Cree Nation representatives and explore a strategic partnership toward the development of the Downtown Event and Entertainment District. Details are in a report to be presented at the June 24 Regular Business City Council meeting. 

The recommendation before Council is not to approve a final agreement. It is to authorize Administration to enter direct negotiations toward a potential development partnership.

“The seven Chiefs of the Saskatoon Tribal Council support this proposal to enter negotiations and the City is ready to talk more,” says Dan Willems, Director of Technical Services. “Early discussions have identified opportunities that could extend beyond entertainment and hospitality development to also include an operating partnership for the new convention centre and event centre, and finally, the lands for these venues potentially established as new urban reserves within Saskatoon.”

With eight urban reserves, plus three at various stages of the approval process and two in the beginning stages, Saskatoon has long been recognized as a national leader in urban reserve creation and partnership-based economic development with First Nations. Saskatoon is also home to Canada’s first commercial urban reserve, established by Muskeg Lake Cree Nation in 1988.

Willems says this approach demonstrates practical leadership in reconciliation and supports the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. Discussions such as these also are a response to Council’s earlier direction to explore Indigenous placemaking and partnership opportunities as part of the District’s development.

“By creating meaningful opportunities for Indigenous ownership, economic development, operations, employment, career development, cultural expression, and Indigenous placemaking and placekeeping, the District can move beyond symbolic recognition and embed reconciliation directly into one of Saskatoon’s most significant city-building initiatives.”

Subject to Council approval, the negotiation work is anticipated to include:
• defining the proposed partnership structure; 
• roles and responsibilities;
• governance considerations;
• land and development arrangements; 
• operating opportunities; and,
• any financial or legal implications requiring future approval.

Once negotiations have progressed to the point where the key terms are sufficiently defined, the Administration would report back to City Council with the details of the proposed partnership and any recommendations required to advance implementation. 

All substantive financial commitments, land disposition, or governance arrangements will be subject to future City Council approval. Any future agreement, land arrangement, governance structure, financial commitment or legal agreement would also be subject to Muskeg Lake Cree Nation’s own governance and approval processes. 

The Administration would also report back to City Council every two months to update City Council on the progress of negotiations.


 

More water is on its way from Gardiner Dam: the speed and height of the river is rising which increases safety risks. The Water Security Agency advises river flows are expected to increase from the elevated current rate of approximately 240 cubic metres per second (m³/s) to approximately 700 m³/s starting on Sunday.

It’s expected the river will rise by about 60 cm or approximately two feet. However, that is not high enough to cause flooding of riverbank areas such as the Meewasin Valley Trail. High flows are anticipated for the next week.

“This represents a significant increase and with that, there’s an increase in the potential dangers on or around the river,” says Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) Deputy Chief Sean Thody.

Deputy Chief Thody urges anyone who may be around the river and along the riverbank to keep their distance, adding swimming in the river is prohibited in Saskatoon.

“Although the river may provide a tempting option to cool down on hot days, the South Saskatchewan is unpredictable. Aside from the changing, dangerously fast currents and unstable bottom, it will have many additional hazards right now such as fallen branches, hidden material like broken concrete and floating debris that will pose a threat to anyone in or near the water.”

Thody further warns SFD is not allowed to put rescue divers in the water above 450 m³/s because it poses a safety risk to the divers.

The Fire Department is working with the Meewasin Valley Authority and will monitor the water flows and will advise everyone including recreational user groups of the greater flow rate. Saskatchewan Search and Rescue suggests the following guidelines for paddling activity: 

• <250 m³/s – Novice paddler; flatwater conditions 
• 250–400 m³/s– Intermediate paddler; those with moving water experience 
• 400–600 m³/s – Expert paddler; paddlers with moving water experience 
• 600–800 m³/s – Only expert paddlers with whitewater experience 
• >800 m³/s – Dangerous – Stay off the water 

Saskatoon Water 
Saskatoon Water is prepared for the greater flows. While expecting more sediment and cloudiness in the river, processes are in place to handle extra clarification that may be needed. Water service is not expected to be impacted by the rising river levels.

Bridges 
The rising and faster flowing water is not expected to pose any threat to bridges nor cause any significant challenges for construction projects. The City’s Asset Preservation team continues to talk with contractors working on both the Broadway Bridge and the University Bridge to ensure their staff remain safe.

Swimming is prohibited in the South Saskatchewan River
As mentioned, Bylaw No. 4433 prohibits swimming in the South Saskatchewan River within city limits.

View weir from a safe distance 
The South Saskatchewan River is equipped with a weir to alter the flow and discharge of water along the river. This barrier produces a powerful backwash of water that can trap objects and people. The weir must never be approached and should only be viewed from designated areas along Spadina Crescent East.

Pet safety 
Just as a fast river poses risks to humans, it is also risky to pets. Pet owners are reminded to keep a close watch on their pets – especially in off-leash areas where they could get into the river. The best advice is to avoid these areas for the coming days.

Water rescue tips 
If you witness someone in distress in the river: 

• Call 911 immediately to report the incident, noting details about the individual, time and situation. 
• Keep track of recognizable landmarks around the area where the individual was first seen in distress in the water. 
• Coach the individual from the shore edge on the below noted tips for water self-rescue. 

If you are in distress in the river: 

• Stay calm. 
• Keep your head above the water. 
• Remove any heavy or bulky clothing items. 
• Don’t fight the current; move with the current as you work your way to the shore edge.

Always be cautious near the river. In an emergency, call 911 immediately. 

Saskatoon firefighters responded shortly after noon Friday to reports of a large house fire on the 400 block of Geary Crecent. Crews arrived in just under six minutes to heavy black smoke and at least one home fully in flames in the Hampton Village neighborhood on the city’s northwest. Four homes are destroyed with two others damaged.

“This is a devastating loss for these families,” says Deputy Fire Chief Sean Thody. “To see four houses burn is never a good thing. Our hearts go out to the families that have lost their homes.”

Recognizing the intensity of the fire, a second alarm was immediately called. In all, 32 firefighters responded to the scene including two aerial trucks, four engines, a rescue engine, safety officer, battalion chief and deputy chief.

“I want to commend the crews for the tremendous stop they made and that we are not in a worse situation than we are now.”

Thody says winds were over 30 Km/h, the temperature was above 30 degrees and the relative humidity was around 30 per cent.

“That’s never a good recipe for fire. When it gets started in those optimal conditions it’s very complicated to get it under control.”

Crews battled the flames for about two-and-a half hours until they had it in hand. Six back-alley garages have also been destroyed. A fire also started in a home across the street but firefighters quickly had it doused.

There are no reports of injures to residents, pets or firefighters. Emergency Management Organization used notifynow to inform area residents of the disruption in the immediate vicinity that would impact Transit routes, school pick-ups and local traffic.

Fire Inspectors will investigate as soon as the area is safe. Crews remain on scene to put out any spot fires.

More information will be released when it is available.

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