News Releases

The flags at Saskatoon civic buildings have been lowered today to mark one year since the first case of COVID-19 was identified in Saskatchewan. Flags will remain at half-mast through the weekend.

“The impact of COVID-19 on our community has been profound. Our lives have all changed dramatically in this past year, since the first case was found in our province on March 12,” says Mayor Charlie Clark.

“Since then, 401 Saskatchewan lives have been lost and this has had a tremendous toll on families. Essential services workers have stepped up heroically to keep our city running and worked tirelessly to keep us safe.

“Today, and over the weekend, is a chance for us all to remember those whose lives have been lost and to show gratitude for all of the sacrifice and service through this very challenging year.”

The City has launched its electric vehicle pilot project with the leasing of four battery electric Chevy Bolts for Saskatoon Light & Power, Facilities Management and Parking Enforcement.

During the pilot project, the vehicles and their charging stations will be studied to identify efficiencies, ability to meet service standards, and lifecycle costs. While electric vehicles typically have higher costs upfront, savings can be expected throughout their lifecycle as there are less maintenance costs associated with electric vehicles since they do not require fuel, oil changes, spark plugs, or transmission servicing.

“Electric vehicles are new, but with changes to our climate and legislation, they are expected to become the new normal” explains Goran Saric, Director of Roadways, Fleet & Support. “By piloting these vehicles now, we can properly prepare for the infrastructure they require, as well as benefit from their lower greenhouse gas emissions, lower maintenance costs and cleaner energy source.”

By taking four fuel powered vehicles off the road and replacing them with low-emission vehicles, the City is reducing its corporate greenhouse gas emissions by 4 to 6 metric tonnes of CO2e every year which is equivalent to 4,400 lbs of coal burned, or the need for 66 tree seedlings grown for 10 years. 

This program supports the City’s Low Emissions Community Plan, more specifically, actions #17, #18, #20 and #21 and compliments Saskatoon Transit’s electric bus pilot project which launched in the summer of 2020.  

Please watch our video or visit Saskatoon.ca/ElectricVehicles for more information. 

Construction of a dry storm pond to help reduce neighbourhood flooding during significant rain events is underway in Churchill Park. Work began in the park in February and the project will be completed in 2023.

“Investing in climate-resilient infrastructure will protect communities from extreme weather events such as floods,” says the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities. “The Churchill Park dry storm pond will help increase Saskatoon’s resilience in the face of increased occurrences of floods while providing a recreation area and preserving green space. Our Government will continue to work with our provincial and municipal partners to improve residents’ safety and build stronger communities."

“This is the second of nine planned projects under the Flood Control Strategy that was approved by City Council in 2018,” says Acting Director of Saskatoon Water, Pam Hamoline. “Once complete, it will reduce the flood risk for properties near the intersections of Ruth Street at Cairns Avenue and York Avenue, and Bute Street at Munroe Avenue and Albert Avenue.”

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.

Flood Control Strategy (FCS) projects have been planned to reduce flooding in neighbourhoods that were established prior to 1989, when improved storm water infrastructure standards were established. The first FCS project in W.W. Ashley District Park was successfully completed in late 2021 and will fully open later this year.

The Government of Canada is contributing 40% of the eligible construction costs up to a maximum of $21.6 million toward the nine FCS projects. The City is funding the remaining construction costs through the Storm Water Utility Capital Program and revenue generated from Storm Water Utility charges.

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

The City’s Flood Control Strategy (FCS), approved by City Council in 2018, is underway with the construction of a dry storm pond in W.W. Ashley District Park. It is the first of nine planned projects that will help reduce flooding in Saskatoon’s most flood-prone areas between now and 2027. Excavation in the park began in mid-February and the project will wrap-up later this year.

“Saskatoon already has eight dry storm ponds, mostly in neighbourhoods built after storm water infrastructure standards were established in 1989,” says Director of Saskatoon Water, Russ Munro. “The areas we are focusing on now are ones that were established prior to that and have a history of flooding properties and intersections.”

Dry storm ponds are designed to hold water that would otherwise cause nearby flooding during intense rainfalls. The water flows from properties and roads into the dry storm pond, then slowly drains into the storm sewer. Whenever dry, it is used as park space.

Next on the list of dry storm pond construction approvals, is one in Churchill Park. If approved by City Council on March 22, Saskatoon Water will move forward with design plans and proceed with construction in 2022.

“We will plan public engagement sessions in advance of any work happening to provide more information, hear from residents and answer any questions,” says Munro.

The dry storm pond projects include pond construction as well as upgrades to nearby storm water and sewer infrastructure.

The Government of Canada is contributing 40% of the eligible construction costs up to a maximum of $21.6 million toward nine FCS projects.  The City is funding the remaining construction costs through Storm Water Utility charges.

For more information about the FCS, and to subscribe to Flood Protection Plan updates, visit saskatoon.ca/floodplan. 

The City recognizes March annually as Cultural Diversity and Race Relations Month. This year, in order to recognize the occasion while keeping everyone safe, the City released a video in lieu of hosting an in-person event. The Virtual Proclamation and Opening Ceremony includes remarks from Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark; Chief Commissioner of the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission (SHRC), David Arnot; Chair of the City’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee, Namarta Kochar; and Leader of Black Lives Matter YXE, Delilah Kamuhanda.

Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark says: “The reality that systemic racism continues to cause harm to people in the BIPOC and 2SLGBTQ communities has become front and centre this past year. Increased awareness is leading to a sense of hope that we can bring about real change. Change means breaking down systemic barriers so that people experience the same opportunity to contribute and participate in society regardless of skin colour, ethnicity, or sexual identity. As we declare March Cultural Diversity and Race Relations Month, it is a chance for all of us in our neighbourhoods, schools, families, and workplaces to redouble our efforts and resolve to build our community together.”

SHRC Chief Commissioner David Arnot says: “Racism and discrimination do exist in our community, but we are making inroads and will continue to do so. Cultural Diversity and Race Relations Month encourages us to focus on what needs to change. As responsible citizens, and members of one human family, we must be the agents of that change in order to secure every person’s right to live with dignity, respect, and equality.”

Following is a list of some notable dates for the month:

March 1 – Flag Raising & Video Commemoration: The Cultural Diversity and Race Relations Flag has been raised in Civic Square. In keeping with COVID-19 restrictions, a commemorative video was released in lieu of an in-person ceremony.

March 10 – Living in Harmony Nomination Deadline: Last day to submit a nomination for a local organization, individual, or student(s) for outstanding achievements contributing to the elimination of racial discrimination.

March 19 – Presentation of Living in Harmony Awards: Recognizing award recipients for their efforts in being the bridge to end racism. This year's presentation will take place virtually and be available for viewing at saskatoon.ca/livinginharmony.

March 21 – International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination: Observed annually in acknowledgment of this day in 1960 when peaceful demonstrators were killed in South Africa for speaking out against apartheid.

For more information about Cultural Diversity and Race Relations Month, please visit saskatoon.ca/RaceRelations.

Starting March 1, 2022, building, development and plumbing permits can be done completely online through the City of Saskatoon’s new ePermitting system. This new ePermitting system will let people apply for permits, track the progress of the application and even request inspections all digitally – reducing the need for in-person visits to City Hall and increasing transparency around the permitting process.

“The ePermitting system will allow the permitting process to become inherently digital,” says Kara Fagnou, Director of Building Standards. “It houses a vast library of pre-configured permit types to meet most business needs, includes email notifications that are automatically triggered and offers mobile capacity to support field inspection staff.”

Service Saskatoon and Building Standards staff will still be available via phone, or where needed, in person, but the ePermitting system will remove the need for most residents and businesses to travel to City Hall for permitting assistance.

“The launch of ePermitting is a key step for Building Standards toward its goal of being a national leader in permit turnaround times,” says Fagnou. “We are always looking for ways to streamline and improve our business processes. To support ePermitting, we have also streamlined our internal workflows and updated many of our procedures to help meet customers’ needs in the most efficient way possible.”

For more information, please visit saskatoon.ca/buildingstandards, or call 306.975.2645. Customers can register an account and login to the ePermitting system starting March 1 at saskatoon.ca/ePermitting.

Vehicle speeds on residential streets and pedestrian safety are the top concerns among residents who have participated in neighbourhood traffic reviews (NTRs) throughout Saskatoon since the program’s inception in 2013. The City of Saskatoon will present a roadmap of the reporting strategy for the review of speed limits on neighbourhood streets to the Standing Policy Committee on Transportation, March 1, 2021, after which the public will be able to provide feedback online.

“Road safety is a shared responsibility. Many cities across Canada, and the world, have successfully implemented reduced speed limits in their jurisdictions. Before making any changes, we want to inform, educate, and get meaningful feedback from citizens in order to make the right decisions with the right outcomes,” says Jay Magus, Director of Transportation.

The review will consider revisions (including speed limit reductions) to posted speed limits on neighbourhood streets to improve safety in residential, school and playground areas.

The scope of the public engagement for the Speed Limit Review will include:

• Feedback on the possibility of reducing the speed limit in residential areas from 50 km/h to either 40 km/h, or 30 km/h 
• Feedback on possible changes to speed limits in school zones, playground zones, and areas with a high number of seniors

People are invited to participate in providing feedback on the Speed Limit Review project by visiting www.saskatoon.ca/engage/speed-limit-review and by taking the survey, which will go live starting March 2 and stay open until April 30, 2021. Comments will also be received by email at speedlimitreview@saskatoon.ca. The survey will also be conducted by telephone using a random sampling method.

The City of Saskatoon’s Speed Limit Review supports the Strategic Goals of Moving Around and Quality of Life in the city. 

Note: In general, speed limit changes / reductions on major arterial roads (i.e. 22nd Street, McOrmond Drive) are not being considered as part of this review.

The City of Saskatoon has achieved ISO 37120 Platinum Certification from the World Council on City Data (WCCD) for its quality of data. This is the organization’s highest level of recognition.

This significant achievement was accomplished through Saskatoon’s participation in the nation-wide Data for Canadian Cities Pilot Project, supported by the Federal Ministry of Infrastructure and Communities, and implemented by the WCCD. The project’s goal is to increase data capacity in cities across the country, while helping to put data to use to improve city services and quality of life.  

"All communities, large and small, need good data to plan and build modern public infrastructure," says Canada’s Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, Catherine McKenna. "Meeting global data standards is critical. Through the Data for Canadian Cities Project, in partnership with the World Council on City Data, we've been helping municipal leaders in a number of communities across Canada do just that. I am delighted that the City of Saskatoon has obtained the ISO standard for municipal data. This will help the city plan projects with quality data and will help guide evidence-based decision-making. Canada's infrastructure plan invests in thousands of projects, creates jobs across the country and builds stronger communities."

City of Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark says: "For too long trying to compare programs and outcomes between cities has been like comparing apples and oranges because of different ways that data gets measured. Achieving Platinum Certification with WCCD opens the door to powerful new tools for us to better focus our planning, our budgeting, and learning from best practices in other cities to help our city succeed into the future."

WCCD President and CEO, Dr. Patricia McCarney says: "On behalf of the WCCD, we are very proud to welcome the City of Saskatoon into our global network of cities all dedicated to building high calibre and globally standardized data to drive informed and evidence-based decision-making. Working with Mayor Clark, City Council and staff over the past few years as part of the Data for Canadian Cities Project, supported by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Communities, has revealed an incredible commitment by the City of Saskatoon to harnessing data that will drive sustainability, prosperity, and a better future for all residents of Saskatoon. Achieving WCCD's ISO 37120 Platinum Certification is a real testament to this city-wide approach. On behalf of the entire WCCD team, we look forward to our continued work with you and to sharing stories of Saskatoon's successes – both in Canada and globally."

Preliminary data indicates that Saskatoon compares favourably with peer cities across a number of areas including ease of access to work, affordability, and supporting healthy citizens. Saskatoon’s performance in all categories will be released by WCCD later this year.