News Releases

Many people in our community do not have the same opportunities to access online services. To address growing barriers and risks for those residents, the City of Saskatoon is launching a pilot project to provide free public Wi-Fi internet service to residents in a segment of Saskatoon’s core neighborhood area. The project status is outlined in a report for the Standing Policy Committee on Environment, Utilities and Corporate Services on Monday, February 7.

“This is an exciting project that can have immediate quality of life impacts for residents in the area,” says Celene Anger, Chief Officer of Strategy and Transformation. “Through the COVID pandemic, the City, other orders of government and community organizations, have moved services online. While this has improved service offerings for many, it has created a service gap for many people in Saskatoon.”

Commonly referred to as the ‘digital divide,’ the pilot project aims to help people currently without or with limited Internet access gain better access to online services and participate in today’s growing digital society. In December 2016, the federal government declared Internet access a basic right of all Canadian citizens. Cities across Canada are moving forward with initiatives to address this situation.

The pilot project explores a cost-effective City-delivered solution for approximately 1500 residents to access the Internet from or near their homes and in public areas at no cost. This project will be launched in an area of Saskatoon with a high percentage of residents as measured across five population groups:

• youth
• seniors
• immigrants
• Indigenous peoples
• low-income

With access to the Internet, residents will be able to access key tools like telehealth and learning applications as well as important information about housing, food, pandemic restrictions, and government services.

Moving ahead with project implementation, the City will issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) next week for a vendor to supply products to deliver wireless internet access points throughout the proposed area. The City will deliver high speed internet via fibre to the Saskatoon Fire Development Centre, a City-owned building located at 116 Avenue W South to serve as the connection point (hub) for these Wi-Fi devices. As the primary hub, a wireless signal will then be broadcast to the pilot area through the solution identified through the vendor’s RFP submission. The City is intending to install the wireless internet access points on City-owned streetlamps and power poles in the designated area.

“Through the RFP, we’re looking for a vendor to partner with us to determine the best tools to reach our goals of a strong Wi-Fi signal to the door of, and hopefully inside, the homes of residents in the pilot area,” says Anger. “We’re hoping to identify opportunities, problem-solve the challenges and evaluate the success of providing public Wi-Fi through this project.”

The pilot project valued at $250,000 is expected to become operational late summer/fall 2022 and run for one year. Financial support was made possible through City Council’s approval of a reallocation of funds as a result of Municipal Economic Enhancement Program (MEEP) 2020 funding. The project will be evaluated throughout the pilot phase, and the results of the evaluation will be used to guide City Wi-Fi strategies and any plans for future continuation or expansion of the program.

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.

The Saskatoon Fire Department recently became aware of deficiencies to fire and life safety systems in a building at 1416, 20th Street West.

"During a recent call to the building, firefighters identified concerns with the operability of the fire alarm system, sprinkler system and fire extinguishers," says Assistant Chief Wayne Rodger. "As a result, the Fire Department issued a Notice to Remedy for this address."

Rodger says the department also arranged qualified technicians to repair these systems and make sure they are operable, so residents have a safe living space.

Work on these systems will commence at 6:30 p.m. tonight, Friday January 29.

"We collaborated with many people on this course of action and the goal is to have the building safety systems operational and safe for occupants by Saturday morning."

Residents will not be confined, but to ensure compliance with the Provincial Health Orders, residents are being asked to stay in their suites while the work is completed.

The Saskatoon Police Service has agreed to support the technicians by helping provide a secure work site for them.  Officers will also escort residents if they need to leave or enter the building.

The City of Saskatoon, Gabriel Dumont Institute, Radius Community Centre, Saskatchewan Polytechnic and Saskatoon Tribal Council are coordinating the kanātan nipīy (the water is clean/clean water) program. The training is an opportunity for Indigenous people to gain essential skills and access employment opportunities in water treatment and distribution facilities —such as with the City of Saskatoon’s Water and Waste Operations. 

The program offers two streams, one for Indigenous youth between 18-29 years of age and another for Indigenous people of any age. The stream for Indigenous youth will begin in early March with essential skills training taught by the Radius Community Centre. Saskatchewan Polytechnic will provide training in water treatment and distribution to both streams starting in late March/early April. 

"This kanātan nipīy program is an important pathway to knowledge and employment and I am very pleased that the City of Saskatoon is part of it," says Mayor Charlie Clark. "Our futures are bound together, in our city and in Indigenous communities across Saskatchewan. I would like to thank all of the partners who are part of this program and are strengthening our future together."

"Partnerships like this, that bring all stakeholders to the table, remove barriers and ensure the greatest success possible for everyone involved," says Geordy McCaffrey, Executive Director, Gabriel Dumont Institute. "GDI is proud to be a part of this initiative that will lead to sustainable employment for our Métis clients."

"For 50 years Radius Community Centre has been helping people work towards their career goals," says Dorothy Hyde, Executive Director, Radius Community Centre. "We are honoured to be a part of this community team supporting Indigenous employment and know that working together helps to build a brighter future for individuals, families, business and community." 

"Indigenous students are an important part of Saskatoon’s community. Providing essential skills training is one way to help the Indigenous learners participating in the program to succeed in their water treatment training and as members of today’s workforce," says Dr. Larry Rosia, President and CEO, Saskatchewan Polytechnic. "We are excited to partner with the City of Saskatoon, Gabriel Dumont Institute, Radius Community Centre, and Saskatoon Tribal Council on this innovative program."

"This training will enhance and improve the quality life for all people that require clean potable water," says Saskatoon Tribal Council Chief Mark Arcand. "As First Nations people, we are all protectors of water. STC has developed many training and employment partnerships. By working together with our partners, we provide opportunities for our people to become gainfully employed."

Applicants must have their Grade 12 or GED and a Class 5 driver’s license. Interested applicants can send their transcript, driver abstract, resume, and three references to kanatannipiy.project@gmail.com by February 12, 2021. 

The kanātan nipīy (the water is clean/clean water) project costs $1,642 per student. Funding for training costs and living allowances may be available to some applicants through the Gabriel Dumont Institute and Saskatoon Tribal Council. Funding options will be discussed during the application process.

The City Administration is proposing a loan program that will allow homeowners to make their properties more energy efficient.

Following extensive research and public engagement, the proposed Home Energy Loan Program (HELP) will be presented to the Standing Policy Committee on Environment, Utilities, and Corporate Services at its regular meeting February 1, 2021.

If approved, HELP will provide loans for energy efficiency retrofits or renewable energy installations for single-family homeowners.

“It’s a unique program – loans provided from the City are attached to the property being retrofitted or renovated and would be paid back through the homeowners’ property taxes,” says Jeanna South, Director of Sustainability. “The loans are attached to the property and not the person, so the loan can be passed from one homeowner to the next if the property is sold.”   

 Examples include window and door replacements, solar panel installations, heating and cooling system upgrades, or added insulation.

South says the program is designed to benefit the community in many ways beyond addressing climate change in Saskatoon and nationwide. 

“It will assist homeowners in paying for home upgrades that will reduce energy bills, make those upgrades financially accessible, help to make homes more comfortable, and it will stimulate Saskatoon’s economy, especially in the construction and renewables sectors.”

Based on research, public engagement and lessons learned from other municipalities, the report recommends key factors such as:

• Eligibility requirements will include homeowners’ demonstrated good standing on property tax payment
• Participants will pay an administration fee, proposed at approximately $500 per participant, that can be spread out over time in the loan
• Interest rates on loans will match the City’s interest rate on debt for the same term (between 2-4% depending on prime rate)

If approved by City Council, an application will be made through the Federation of Canadian Municipalities, bylaw development will proceed with the goal of launching HELP later in 2021.

This program supports the City’s Low Emissions Community Plan, a roadmap that outlines 40 actions the City and community of Saskatoon need to take to help mitigate climate change. 

Visit saskatoon.ca/engage/help for more information on the program or to track its progress.

The City of Saskatoon has, once again, been reconfirmed as having a ‘AAA’ credit rating with a “stable” outlook by S&P Global Rating Services (S&P), a favourable ranking that the City has retained for more than 10 years.

In reaffirming the City’s ‘AAA’/Stable credit rating, S&P’s report released today noted the City “will continue to benefit from a strong and diverse economy that supports strong budgetary performance, keeping debt issuance manageable and liquidity exceptional.”

The City’s Chief Financial Officer Kerry Tarasoff points out S&P grants this rating for many reasons; the S&P report says the City’s “…disclosure and transparency are what we believe to be good, and the City prepares robust annual operating and capital budget documents.”

The report also highlights an expectation that the City's strong financial management will keep Saskatoon with a ‘AAA/Stable’ rating for years to come.

“We have heard some recent commentary about the City’s transparency and financial performance in a ‘report card’ of sorts,” Tarasoff says. “The rating City Council relies on is the one from S&P Global Rating Services.”

He adds as with all Canadian municipalities, COVID-19 has had a huge impact on the City’s finances for 2020 and 2021, however he says S&P Global is treating these impacts as temporary in nature.  Taken from the report  released today:

 “Although the impact of the pandemic depends on the rate of spread and duration, we believe that Saskatoon's prudent financial management and cost-containment efforts will continue to generate robust operating balances and mitigate the direct fiscal impacts stemming from the pandemic. At the same time, we expect the City's prudent financial management and diverse economy will continue to support Saskatoon in generating strong budgetary performances that will help fund its capital agenda and keep its debt level manageable; this, in turn, will help preserve the City's exceptionally strong liquidity.”

Key findings within the January 27, 2021 S&P Ratings Direct® Report are:

• Saskatoon’s diverse economy with a growing population will provide consistency in the city's property tax base despite the negative impact of COVID-19
• The City's prudent financial management will continue to allow it to post strong operating balances
• A stated belief that “the city's relationship with the province will remain well-balanced and supportive”
• Saskatoon will continue to generate robust operating margins despite the near-term impact of the pandemic on the City's fiscal position
• Strong operating balances will help the City in implementing its capital plans while maintaining minimal levels of tax-supported debt
• The City's exceptional liquidity position will continue to support its creditworthiness

The full report is available on the City’s website saskatoon.ca/finance.

The City wants property owners to better understand the provincial property assessment process and has developed new tools and information to help. As is required by provincial law, all property types must be reassessed every four years. The City of Saskatoon issued more than 100,000 Reassessment Notices to property owners via mail earlier this week along with an informative guide.

“We’re here to help property owners and answer their assessment questions,” says Bryce Trew, City Assessor. “For 2021, we’ve created six new videos and enhanced our online tools to assist property owners with additional information to help explain the assessment process – which can be confusing at times.

We encourage property owners to review their property’s new assessed value and characteristics on our website and to get in touch with us for support. Most assessment-related questions can be addressed by chatting with an assessor before deciding to file a formal appeal with fees. Property owners may connect with us by email, phone or by making a safely distanced in-person appointment, adds Trew.”

The 2021 Assessment Roll is now available for public viewing.  Property owners also have a 60-Day Customer Review Period – the time during which they may formally appeal their assessment.  The roll and appeal period are both open from January 25 through to March 29, 2021.

 “Some property owners have asked if their property’s new assessed value is what they would typically sell their property for and this may not be the case,” Trew says. “The assessed value of your property is calculated for taxation purposes only - it’s an estimate based on sold properties in your market area.  The provincial law works with a legislated base date and for 2021 that date is January 1, 2019.

It’s important to note that any market influence COVID-19 may or may not have had on a property’s assessed value will not be reflected in the 2021 property reassessment figures as the pandemic occurred after the base date.” 

2021 Reassessment Information Backgrounder

Highlights of the 2021 Assessment Roll:               

• The total value of the 2021 Taxable Assessment Roll is $41.3 billion, compared to $43 billion in 2020 as a result of reassessment.
  • Commercial assessment accounts for $9.9 billion (approx. 3,300 properties)
  • Residential assessment accounts for $31.4 billion (approx. 91,000 properties)

• The typical Residential property assessed value in Saskatoon decreased 7% and the typical Non-Residential (Commercial) property assessed value increased 8%. (In the last assessment cycle, the Residential tax class increased 12% and the Commercial tax class increased 36%.)
  • If a property owner had an assessment reduction of 7% in assessment, this does not mean their property tax will decrease 7%.

Key Findings from the 2021 Assessment Roll

Assessment Subgroups:

Single-Family Residential: decreased 6% (Median Assessment is $344,000)

Residential Condominiums: decreased 12% (Median Assessment is $209,900)

Multi-Residential: decreased 11% (Median Assessment is $1,404,900)

Retail: increased 24% (Median Assessment is $1,503,500)

Office: increased 16% (Median Assessment is $1,377,750)

Industrial: decreased 10% (Median Assessment is $1,431,900)

Hotel: decreased 23% (Median Assessment is $9,688,300)

• 93% of Single-Family properties had a change of plus or minus 10% of the average change (decrease of 7%).
• 28% of Residential Condos saw a decrease of 10%-20% more than average change (decrease of 7%).
• Within the Multi-Residential subgroup, Townhouse decreased 19% and Low-Rise decreased 14%, the largest decreases. These two groups account for 90% of the Multi-Residential subgroup inventory.
• 33% of Commercial properties had a change of plus or minus 10% of the average change (increase of 8%). 

Questions? We’re here to help.

Email: assessment.submit@saskatoon.ca

Mail: City of Saskatoon, Assessment & Valuation, 222 - 3rd Avenue North, Saskatoon, SK S7K 0J5

Call:  306-975-3227 for questions or to book an in-person appointment Monday to Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Visit saskatoon.ca/assessment for more information.
 

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.

A Saskatoon Access Transit bus and a Canadian Pacific Train collided around 7:45 a.m. this morning at a crossing on 20^th Street West; Access Transit is grateful there are no reported injuries.

The operator had parked near Station 20 West to help a passenger off. Another passenger remained on the bus.

Saskatoon Fire dispatched two engines to the scene and upon arrival firefighter paramedics helped to assist transferring the remaining passenger to hospital as a precaution. While the internal investigation is underway by Transit supervisors, it appears the bus had been parked too close to the railroad tracks.

Shortly after 9:00 a.m. rail officials reported the train was assessed and was safe to continue its trip.

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.