News Releases

An information report to be presented to City Council’s Standing Policy Committee on Transportation on September 5 details how the City successfully navigated an extraordinary emergency snow event in December 2022 with an equally extraordinary response. 

The City’s Roadways Emergency Response Plan for Extreme or Unusual Snow Events was activated for the very first time on December 28, 2022, after back-to-back snow events between December 25 and 28. The snowfall resulted in over 30 centimetres of snow accumulation and severely impacted mobility on streets and sidewalks. This was in addition to four previous snow events earlier in the winter season.  

Once the response plan was activated, snow grading along all streets in Saskatoon was completed within eight days of the end of snowfall, faster than the targeted timeline of 10 days, while snow removal along Priority 2 and 3 streets was completed within 5 weeks– the fastest this work has ever been completed. All snow removal work was completed within approximately 9 weeks. 

“Our response to the late 2022 snowfall showcased our commitment to the safety and the well-being of our residents,” says Goran Saric, Director of Roadways, Fleet and Support. “The City of Saskatoon remains steadfast in its dedication to providing efficient services while adapting and improving to better serve its citizens.” 

Highlights from 2022/23 ERP activation include: 

• 102,000 truckloads of snow removed from Saskatoon streets.. 

• 1.4 million cubic metres of snow stored at the three snow management facilities at the Civic Operations Centre, along Wanuskewin Drive and Central Avenue. This is approximately four times the amount of snow stored at the snow management facilities in years leading up to 2020. 

• 500 crew days of effort to remove snow piles on local streets. 

• A typical day during snow removal included 150 haul trucks, 32 graders, 18 loaders, 4 snow blowers, 12 skid steers, 10 pilot trucks, seven dozers, 11 tow trucks and much more light equipment.  

• 27 contracting companies provided additional resources including haul trucks, loaders, snow blowers, dozers and graders. Nearly all contractors that submitted interest and pricing for local street snow removal were hired.    

“The successful handling of the significant snow events stands as a testament to the City’s commitment to meeting challenges head-on, learning from experiences and continuously improving its emergency response capabilities,” says Saric. 

The total cost of the 2022/23 emergency snow response was $18 million dollars, more than the annual operating budget for Snow and Ice Management. Nearly 90% of the cost was for the city-wide snow removal phase.  

For more information on the Roadways Emergency Response Plan for Extreme or Unusual Snow Events, visit saskatoon.ca/emergency-response-plan. 

The City of Saskatoon is on track to deliver a balanced budget for 2023. The City’s 2023 Mid-Year Financial Performance Administrative Report will be presented to SPC Finance on September 6, 2023.

“In analyzing the mid-year forecast, we estimate that at the end of this fiscal year, the Administration will deliver a balanced budget for 2023,” says Kari Smith, Director of Finance. “Our mid-year forecast is based on the most current information known to the Administration at the time of preparing this report.”

Each year, the City of Saskatoon’s Administration provides the mid-year, third-quarter and year-end reports to the Standing Policy Committee on Finance (SPC Finance) on the fiscal performance of the City’s Business Plan and Budgets. The goal of this financial reporting is to keep City Council and residents informed on the City’s financial performance as the year progresses.

Importantly, City Administration forecasts that $4.9 million will be saved through ongoing spending restrictions. These forecast savings, combined with projected underspending of $3.5 million in Snow and Ice and additional revenues of $2.5 million in Transit/Access Transit’s operating budget, are anticipated to help offset the 2023 Budget’s known financial pressures and any other forecasted shortfalls.

Details of the 2023 Budget variances are included in Appendix 1 - 2023 Year-End Projections by Business Line. Note, that the year-end figures are based on projections and estimates, and some have a high degree of volatility.

 “While these mid-year financial figures are preliminary and based on data available at this time, Administration will continue to follow existing spending restrictions to minimize the potential for a year-end deficit,” adds Smith. “We continue to tightly monitor all discretionary spending and keep to our hiring restrictions which have been in place since 2020. We will, of course, balance these measures with the need to continue providing good value in the delivery of all civic services to the residents and businesses we serve.”

Additional key information/ results from the mid-year financial reporting:

• Utilities are projecting a $5.3 million net surplus at mid-year. Any utility variance will be offset through transfers to or from the applicable stabilization reserves, if this surplus is realized, contributions will be made to the respective reserves.
• The City continues to experience inflationary impacts in 2023 including increased costs on contracts. The City can stay within budget by decreasing the amount of work to be completed.

City Administration will provide the next 2023 financial performance report through its third-quarter projections in November 2023.

Visit saskatoon.ca/budget for more information on the City's multi-year budget planning process.

The City Administration will next week present a plan designed to give households more choice on what they pay for garbage collection. On Tuesday, September 5, Council’s Standing Policy Committee on Environment, Utilities and Corporate Services (EU&CS) will hear details on cart size options, timelines and proposed rates for the garbage utility in 2024.

As previously directed by Council, the funding source for black cart garbage services will shift from property taxes to a utility model in 2024. Three different black cart sizes will be available to eligible households with curbside collection.

“Our aim is to offer residents a range of cart sizes that align with the waste requirements of their households,” says Brendan Lemke, Director of Water and Waste Operations. “With the success of the Green Cart Program, there is less waste in the black carts. The variable utility model means that households will have more control over their costs and only pay for the waste they actually produce.”

The cart sizes include the current large (360L) as well as a medium (240L) and a small (120L – 135L) black cart. Requests to change cart size will be accepted beginning in January 2024 with smaller black cart deliveries expected in the spring. There will be no fee for a household’s initial cart swap to allow residents sufficient time to right-size their carts.

A fixed utility rate of approximately $9.92 per month will be in place for all residents with curbside garbage collection until cart swaps are completed. The variable utility fees will not be implemented until mid-year following cart swaps. The proposed monthly utility rates for black cart services are approximately as follows: small (120 L – 135L) cart - $3.73, medium (240 L) - $7.05 and large (360 L) - $10.58 and can be seen here. A process for property managers and condo boards to manage bulk requests is being developed.

If Administration's recommendations are endorsed by Committee, they will be formally approved by City Council at its meeting on September 27.

The variable cart options will increase residents’ control over their costs and encourages reduction of waste by providing financial incentives for waste diversion. Communities that use similar approaches have seen their waste di­­version rates increase by 5-17%, as residents improve their use of diversion programs and find new ways to reduce their general waste generation.

Program details for the $100 per year low-income Waste Utility Subsidy will also be included in a separate report presented at EU&CS.

Garbage collection will remain bi-weekly year-round. To view your collection calendar, visit saskatoon.ca/collectioncalendar or download the Saskatoon Waste Wizard app.  

The City of Saskatoon celebrated the addition of two new dog parks dedicated for small dogs with a ceremonial opening event at the new Charlottetown Dog Park.

Charlottetown Dog Park is a near one acre space located behind Cosmo Civic Centre and features naturalized elements including mature shade trees, dual-gate entry to help avoid accidental escapes and concrete entryway pads to prevent soil erosion.

In addition to the development of Charlottetown Dog Park, Hyde Dog Park in Saskatoon’s southeast now features two separate off-leash areas, one new space dedicated for small dogs in addition to the original Dog Park which is open to dogs of all sizes.

“Animal Services has received numerous requests over the years for dedicated areas for small dogs to enjoy off-leash activities,” says Brad Babyak, Recreation Services Manager, Open Space Programming & Development. “Implementation of these dedicated spaces will help prevent potential unnecessary conflict between small and large dogs and improve safety for owners and their pets.”

“It is great to see small dogs bring out their owners to explore and enjoy the newly developed spaces at Charlottetown and Hyde Dog Parks,” says Babyak.

Dogs must be under both the height and weight restrictions to be permitted in the new Dog Parks dedicated for small dogs. Pups that are taller than 40 cm at the shoulder and over 9 kg are free to enjoy any of the other 11 Dog Parks throughout the city that are available for dogs of all sizes.

For more information visit saskatoon.ca/dogparks.

City Council’s Governance & Priorities Committee (GPC) will continue working to reduce the projected funding gap within the 2024/2025 Multi-Year Business Plan and Budget at its next Special Budget Meeting set for Thursday, August 31, 2023, at 9:30 a.m.

Via GPC’s previous Special Budget Meetings on June 14, July 25 and August 15 - meaningful progress has been made to reduce the City’s projected funding gap by a total of $25.8 million in 2024 and $2.3 million in 2025. If left unmitigated, which is highly unlikely, the gaps currently equate to property tax increases of 8.54% in 2024 and 6.04% in 2025.

“City Council and Administration will continue to probe all business lines and review everything on the table in a public and transparent way to further address the funding pressures the City is facing over the next two years,” says Kari Smith, Director of Finance. “Of course, City Council’s 2024/2025 finalized budget decisions will not be approved until its deliberations this November.”

Administration’s business line reports relating to Environmental Health, Taxation and General Revenue, Land Development, Arts, Culture and Events Venues, Recreation and Culture, and Urban Planning and Development -- previously deferred due to time constraints -- are set for discussion on August 31, along with Corporate Governance and Finance, Corporate Asset Management, and Utilities.

Council also awaits draft budget submissions from the Saskatoon Board of Police Commissioners and the Saskatoon Library Board so those may be incorporated into future budget discussions.

The full AGENDA for the August 31, 2023, Special Budget Meeting is available for review. As with all, this meeting will be LIVE streamed, access LIVE VIDEO here.

Should any member of the public wish to submit a letter or request to appear in person at the August 31 Special Budget Meeting, the deadline to arrange for this is Monday, August 28, at 5:00 p.m.

For more information on the 2024/2025 Multi-Year Budget & Business Plan, including answers to frequently asked questions and factual reference charts and graphs, check the 2024/2025 Multi-Year Budget Information Guide or visit Saskatoon.ca/budget.

Additional work by City Council’s Governance and Priorities Committee (GPC) to lessen a projected funding gap in the 2024/2025 Multi-Year Budget has helped shave an additional $1.1 million in 2024.

Through today's and previous decisions, the funding gap has been reduced by a total of $25.8 million in 2024 and $2.3 million in 2025. If left unmitigated, which is unlikely, this would equate to a property tax increase of 8.54% in 2024 and 6.04% in 2025.

“City Council continues to make meaningful progress in reducing the projected funding gap for 2024 and 2025. The financial pressures facing Saskatoon regarding post pandemic recovery and significant inflation are widespread across the country. I am confident that through this transparent process and future meetings we will continue to make progress to reduce the funding gap,” says Chief Financial Officer Clae Hack.

GPC completed discussion on several business line reports at a special GPC meeting today and recommended the following budget options be integrated into the 2024/2025 Preliminary 2024/2025 Multi-Year Business Plan and Budget:

• No inflationary increase for line painting and sign replacement materials
• Reduce the sweeping of soft surface (turf) medians to once every 2 years
• An expansion of the Parking Pay Station Zone to incorporate approximately 130 additional on-street parking spaces within the Warehouse District and Center Industrial areas
• An additional rate increase of 10 per cent for all pet licensing
• An additional rate increase of 3 per cent for the rates and fees for cemetery services
• Reduction to the contribution to the special events reserve in 2024 and 2025
• No increases and maintain the same level of funding for grants and community organization support
• Defer the addition of a Fire Services Asset Management staff position until 2025
• Remove the addition of a permanent Communications Consultant position within Saskatoon Fire Department
• Defer the addition of a dedicated Operations Dispatch Manager position until mid-way through 2024

Due to time constraints, discussion on business line reports relating to Environmental Health, Taxation and General Revenue, Land Development, Arts, Culture and Events Venues, Recreation and Culture, and Urban Planning and Development were deferred to an additional Special Budget Meeting scheduled for August 31.

Council is also awaiting draft budget submissions from the Saskatoon Board of Police Commissioners and the Saskatoon Library Board so that they may be incorporated into future budget discussions.

For more facts and reliable information on the 2024/2025 Multi-Year Business Plan and Budget, please visit saskatoon.ca/budget.

This week, the City of Saskatoon Parks Department has confirmed another positive case of Dutch elm disease (DED) in an elm tree in Forest Grove.

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

• Immediate removal of the positive trees and disposal at the City Landfill. This will involve 3 trees immediately along Central Avenue and 28 more pending line location, with further removal possible pending test results. A map of the removal area is attached.
• Increased surveillance of the surrounding area to search for stored elm wood.
• Additional sampling of symptomatic trees within one kilometre of the infected tree. 
• Continuing regular city-wide elm surveillance, sampling, and cyclical pruning of trees in parks and on boulevards. 

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 the public urban forest.

How is DED spread?

In Saskatchewan, the disease is spread by several species of elm bark beetles. These beetles can fly farther than two kilometres in search of elm trees. The DED fungus has tiny spores that stick to the body of the beetle. Elm bark beetles can carry these spores and infect other elm trees. The fungus can also be spread by infected pruning tools.

You can help prevent DED by:

• Not pruning elms during the provincial pruning ban (April 1 to August 31)
• Not bringing elm wood into the city, storing elm wood for more than a day, or burning elm firewood
• Always disposing of elm wood at the City Landfill
• Sanitizing tools after working on elm trees
• Not building treehouses in elm trees, as the nail and screw holes can attract elm bark beetles
• Reporting dead or dying elm trees or branches to the City or to a professional arborist 

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.

City Council’s Governance & Priorities Committee (GPC) will continue its work to reduce the projected funding gap within the 2024/2025 Multi-Year Business Plan and Budget at its next Special Budget Meeting on August 15.

Following budget reductions of $21.6 million in 2024 and $1.6 million in 2025 as directed by GPC at its July 25 Special Budget Meeting, City Administration has been able to further refine estimates and update 2024 and 2025 revenue and expense projections based upon the most current data available. Heading into the August 15 Special Budget Meeting, the revised budgetary gap being presented for discussion is $26.2 million in 2024 and $19.3 million in 2025.

This reduces the current estimated tax increase that would be required if no further mitigation steps were introduced to a new starting point of 8.92 per cent in 2024 and 6.01 per cent in 2025, respectively.

“Work continues in a public and transparent way to address the funding pressures we’re facing ahead of Council’s 2024/2025 budget discussions in November this year,” says Director of Finance Kari Smith.

At its August 15 meeting, Committee will consider business line reports relating to Transportation, Community Support, Saskatoon Fire, Environmental Health, Taxation and General Revenue, Land Development, Arts, Culture and Events Venues, Recreation and Culture, and Urban Planning and Development.

Council has also requested to receive draft budgets from the Saskatoon Police Board of Commissioners and the Saskatoon Library Board earlier than normal so that they may be incorporated into future budget discussions.

The full AGENDA for the August 15, 2023, Special Budget Meeting is available for review. As with all, this meeting will be LIVE streamed, access LIVE VIDEO here.

Should any member of the public wish to submit a letter or request to appear in person at the August 15 Special Budget Meeting, the deadline to arrange for this is Monday, August 14, at 5:00 pm.

For more information on the 2024/2025 Multi-Year Budget & Business Plan, including answers to frequently-asked questions and reference charts and graphs, visit Saskatoon.ca/budget.

City administration is recruiting up to four new members from the community for appointment to the Active Transportation Advisory Group (ATAG). ATAG weighs in on policies, programs and initiatives to improve community and infrastructure needs to increase options for cycling, walking and other modes of active transportation. 

“We’re looking for people from the community who want to help us explore options for active transportation, such as cycling and walking,” says Jay Magus, Director of Transportation. 

There are opportunities for people across Saskatoon to shift short trips from driving to walking and biking by creating safe active-transportation networks. The Active Transportation Advisory Group aims to build and strengthen connections between community groups, organizations, residents and the City of Saskatoon, to support the successful implementation of the Active Transportation Plan in Saskatoon. 

To apply and for more information, visit saskatoon.ca/atag or contact atag@saskatoon.ca. The deadline for applications is on Sunday August 27, 2023. 

On Tuesday, August 8, City Administration will present an approval report to the Environment, Utilities and Corporate Services Committee (EU&CS) in order to purchase the new smaller sized carts for the City’s upcoming variable waste utility launching in 2024.  

As previously directed by Council, the funding source for black cart garbage services will shift from property taxes to a utility model in 2024. Three different black cart sizes will be available to homes with curbside collection.

“We look forward to providing residents cart size options that reflect their household waste needs,” says Brendan Lemke, Director of Water and Waste Operations. “Following the successful launch of the city-wide green cart program, many residents are already noticing a smaller amount of garbage in their black carts. The variable utility model means that households will have more control over their costs and only pay for the waste they actually produce.”

A dedicated report on program implementation will be presented to the EUCS Committee this fall. This report will include information on cart size options, cart swap requests, timelines and proposed rates for the garbage utility.

Garbage collection will remain bi-weekly year-round. To view your collection calendar, visit saskatoon.ca/collectioncalendar or download the Saskatoon Waste Wizard app.