News Releases

The intersection at Idylwyld and 22^nd Street is expected to be closed until tomorrow afternoon, Wednesday July 31^st to allow for an emergency natural gas line repair.

In the meantime, drivers are advised to avoid 22^nd Street and consider east-west travel along 19^th Street, 20^th Street or 33^rd Street. Expect delays, plan ahead and re-route your commute.

This emergency work is necessary because on Monday evening July 29^th, firefighters closed the intersection after discovering a noticeable odour and high concentration of natural gas in the area.  SaskEnergy arrived and determined the gas was leaking from an underground valve.  The gas line workers were able to seal the leak but it now needs a more permanent fix.

Once the gas line is repaired the excavation site will be paved and the intersection will re-open. The paving work cannot be scheduled until the morning of Wednesday, July 31^st.  

Thank you for your patience and cooperation while this necessary emergency work is completed.

Transit riders can follow Transit service alerts, real-time bus locations, and arrivals are available on third party apps like Transit and Google Transit on desktop.

For updates on construction projects anytime, refer to the Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map. Road users are reminded to reduce speeds, stay alert and mind posted signage and barriers when encountering a construction zone.

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After reviewing nine budget options brought forward by Administration, City Council at its regular meeting on July 29, 2019, selected six options to help achieve lower municipal property tax target increases of 3.94% for 2020 and 4.17% for 2021, as earlier directed by the City’s Governance and Priorities Committee.

“The options City Council approved result in lower property tax targets of 3.23% for 2020 and 3.54% for 2021,” says Kerry Tarasoff, Chief Financial Officer. “It’s important to emphasize these targets serve as a starting point. This early direction from City Council is not final, as they’ll have an opportunity for further debate through the City’s preliminary budget release this October.”

Administration was asked to report back on a list of prioritized projects with result to Gas Tax funding, options to reduce the number of print publications the City produces, and options for reducing the frequency of black cart pick-up in summer months.

City Council approved the following budget options: 

• Option 3 – a one-time Gas Tax allocation to the organics program (reduction to property tax phase-in from reduced debt by 0.13% in each of the years 2020 and 2021);
• Option 4 – utilize Multi-Material Stewardship Western funding towards the Waste deficit (reduction of 0.19% in each of the years 2020 and 2021);
• Option 5 – defer all bylaw/policy required inflationary allocations (reduction of 0.15% in 2020 and 0.17% in 2021);
• Option 6 – phase-in the Remai Civic Buildings Comprehensive Maintenance Reserve requirement over a longer period (reduction of 0.08% in 2020 and 0.04% in 2021);
• Option 7 – defer the Recovery Park funding phase-in until 2023 (reduction of 0.10% in 2021); and
• Option 8 – adjust the Major Transportation Funding/Bus Rapid Transit funding plan (reduction of 0.10% in each of the years 2020 and 2021).

The following budget option was defeated:

• Option 9 – changes to the Waste program deficit and city-wide organics phase-in (reduction of 0.21% in each of the years 2020 and 2021).

The following budget options did not have enough movers to move forward, thus they were received as information.

• Option 1 – reduce the inflation and growth increase allocated to the Building Better Roads Program (reduction of 0.8% in each of the years 2020 and 2021); and
• Option 2 – provision for civic services subsidized fee for service (reduction of 0.03% in 2020)

“In the months to come as we lead up to the release of our first preliminary Multi-Year Business Plan and Budget, City Council will consider other information they’ve requested, along with additional options on capital projects, Asset Management Plans, service level changes and options to help accelerate achieving City Council’s strategic priorities,” adds Tarasoff.

The Multi-Year Business Plan and Budget will provide greater certainty for residents about the future direction of property taxes, better alignment of the City’s longer-term goals, and improved financial stability, transparency and accountability.

City Council will set the final budget and associated municipal property tax rate through the 2020/2021 Multi-Year Business Plan and Budget Deliberations at the end of November 2019.

For more information on the City’s Multi-Year Business Plan and Budget, visit saskatoon.ca/budget.

The Low Emissions Community (LEC) Plan is a thirty-year roadmap to help Saskatoon reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The LEC Plan – prepared by national consultants, Sustainability Solutions Group, and City Administration – identifies possible actions to mitigate community and corporate emissions as a way to slow the effects of climate change, leading to a decreased need for adaptive actions. The plan will be presented to the Standing Policy Committee on Environment, Utilities and Corporate Services, on August 6.

“Climate change is an extremely complex global issue that is facing Saskatoon and Canada” says Jeanna South, Director of Sustainability. “The Low Emissions Community Plan is a roadmap of 40 actions which models how Saskatoon can achieve established greenhouse gas reduction targets over the next thirty years, through investments in policy changes, partnerships, programs and projects.”

As Saskatoon prepares for growth, the 40 actions to reduce emissions established in the LEC Plan will result in social and economic benefits for the community. Improved health; additional jobs; reduced expenses for residents, businesses and the municipality; and improved quality of life, are ways the Low Emissions Community Plan incentivizes a more diverse and resilient economy.

In 2015, Saskatoon signed the Covenant of Mayors, which highlighted the importance of early climate actions, instead of postponing action for future generations. Saskatoon committed to 80% GHG emissions reduction. From our 2014 baseline, that means drawing down from 3.85 million tonnes CO₂e per year to 780,000 tonnes CO₂e per year by 2050.

The Low Emissions Community Plan is the companion piece to the Local Actions Adaptation Strategy, which focuses on how the City can respond to climate change through infrastructure improvement projects and emergency response programs and was presented to Council earlier this year.

To learn more about Saskatoon’s Climate Action Plan visit saskatoon.ca/climatechange.

The Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) has reached an agreement with the University of Saskatchewan (U of S) for the relocation of Fire Station No. 5 to the northeast corner of Preston Avenue and 108th Street. The move comes as a result of a review of SFD operations leading to the development of a new service model to make response times even better for the entire city. A report seeking approval for the execution of a long-term land lease agreement with the U of S goes to City Council on Monday, July 29.

“By using Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping, we’d previously identified that moving Station No. 5 to Preston Avenue north will provide a more optimal response model for the U of S and Varsity View, and at the same time, maintain responsive coverage to Sutherland,” says Morgan Hackl, Fire Chief.

The first phase of the new service model was the relocation of Fire Station No. 3. The second phase, the relocation of Fire Station No. 5, continues the establishment of an effective baseline for the delivery of emergency service to the community while keeping safety of the citizens and response personnel in the forefront. The model aims to ensure the delivery of services to citizens is done in the most effective and efficient way possible as the City looks to the future and how to provide emergency response service to a city of 500,000 residents.

Upon final approval by City Council and the Ministry of Advanced Education, a tender will be issued for the design of the new facility, followed by a construction tender and a contract award.  The anticipated start of construction is in the spring of 2020 with completion in spring of 2021. 

For more information, visit saskatoon.ca/NewServiceModel.

Saskatoon Fire Department’s new service model furthers the City’s Strategic Goal of Quality of Life for Citizens in prioritizing the safety of the entire community.

The Governance & Priorities Committee (GPC), at its June 17, 2019 meeting, resolved that the Administration bring back options for a municipal property tax target of less than the 3.94% for 2020 and 4.17% for 2021. The property tax targets presented at the June meeting would maintain existing services, correct the Waste Service budget shortfall, and begin the funding phase-in for a city-wide organics program.

The City’s Administration is proposing several options to reduce the municipal property tax targets for 2020 and 2021, based on:

• the ability to implement;
• having a positive impact on the mill rate; and
• not having a significant long term negative impact to service levels.

“At the July 29 City Council meeting, the Administration will present a number of options to help reduce the property tax in 2020 and 2021. These options will include opportunities to phase-in funding over a longer period, defer certain initiatives or take on slightly increased risk within the budget,” says Jeff Jorgenson, City Manager. “Setting these early property tax targets gives City Council an opportunity to start to plan for the priorities it wants to invest in at our first Multi-Year Business Plan and Budget Deliberation this November.”

City Council will be presented with nine options to consider, each aimed at reducing the property tax target increases earlier directed by GPC.

It is important to note that there have been some changes to the Administration’s original assumptions, including new SaskPower electricity rate information which negatively impacts taxes, which is partially offset by a lower budget estimate from the Saskatoon Police Service.  The net result of these changes is a negative impact of $455,600 to the City’s previously presented forecast equivalent to a 0.19% property tax increase.  However, as the Administration continues to work through finalizing the 2020/ 2021 Business Plan and Budget, every effort will be made to offset this impact.

“There will likely be other minor adjustments to the property tax estimates for 2020 and 2021 as more information becomes available, for example, as the Boards of the City’s Controlled Corporations and the Board of Police Commissioners finalize their budgets, and as more becomes known about federal pollution rebates,” adds Jorgenson. “The Administration will release its preliminary Multi-Year Budget in October 2019.”

Administration is recommending the following options to City Council, which provide a starting point for consideration: 

• Option 2 – implement a subsidized fee for civic services associated with special events;
• Option 4 – utilize Multi-Material Stewardship Western funding towards the Waste deficit;
• Option 6 – phase-in the Remai Civic Buildings Comprehensive Maintenance Reserve requirement over a longer period;
• Option 7 – defer the Recovery Park funding phase-in until 2023; and
• Option 8 – adjust the Major Transportation Funding/Bus Rapid Transit funding plan.

The Multi-Year Business Plan and Budget will provide greater certainty for residents about the future direction of property taxes, better alignment of the City’s longer-term goals, and improved financial stability, transparency and accountability.

City Council will set the final budget and associated municipal property tax rate through the 2020/2021 Multi-Year Business Plan and Budget Deliberations at the end of November 2019.

For more information on the City’s multi-year budget, visit saskatoon.ca/budget.

The City of Saskatoon's 2018 Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2018, is now available online.

The 2018 Annual Report provides an overview of:

• The City’s Audited Consolidated Financial Statements;
• Financial Discussion & Analysis of the City’s financial performance and forecasts;
• Updates on Major Projects and Initiatives by Business Line;
• Financial and statistical information about the City and related entities; and
• Updated Performance Measures.

Visit saskatoon.ca.

After travelling over 14,000 kilometers from Australia, the newest members of the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo (Zoo) have arrived and are getting ready to settle into their new permanent home.

“The addition of the dingoes provides a great opportunity for us to bring some exciting new animals to Saskatoon, allowing visitors of all ages to meet dingoes, most likely for the first time.  This is a great way to enhance our conservation, research and education opportunities at the Zoo,” says Tim Sinclair-Smith, Zoo Manager.

The Zoo has teamed up with the Australian Dingo Foundation and the Oakvale Wildlife Park in Australia to bring these animals to Saskatoon for the first time.

“The Dingo has kept the fragile balance of biodiversity unseen and unsung for around 16,000 years,” says Lyn Watson, Founder of the Australian Dingo Foundation.  “We are so heartened after a lifetime of work with them, to know that Canadians will now be able to observe Canis dingo in live form at the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park and Zoo.”

The dingoes will be taking over the previous wolf enclosure at the Zoo once they complete a 30-day Canadian Food and Inspection Agency (CFIA) quarantine.  The new exhibit is set to officially open to the public on Friday, August 9, 2019.

The Zoo is open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. until August 18, and from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. starting August 19.  Additional information regarding the Zoo can be found at saskatoon.ca/zoo.

The City of Saskatoon is resurfacing several high traffic roadways this summer. Resurfacing helps the roads last longer, improves drainage, and makes surfaces look brand new.

“Resurfacing is a road restoration technique in which a new layer of asphalt is laid over the existing road surface,” says Tim Bushman, Engineering Manager, Construction & Design. “Roads are preserved without having to do a full replacement.”

2019 resurfacing locations include:

• Circle Drive and Millar Avenue intersection
• Circle Drive east bound lanes from Millar Avenue to the Circle Drive North Bridge
• College Drive west bound lanes from Highway 41 to the CP Rail overpass
• Idylwyld Drive north bound lanes from 25^th Street to 31^st Street
• Preston Avenue north bound lanes from Taylor Street to 8^th Street
• 33^rd Street from Confederation Drive to Junor Avenue
• Taylor Street from Boychuk Drive to Brudell Road

Crews will work at night at locations where the noise won’t be disruptive to residents.

“We understand construction and the delays and detours that sometimes occur can be an inconvenience, but we do our best to avoid a lot of work in one area at the same time,” says Bushman. “To see where significant 2019 road construction projects are happening and when, residents can keep an eye on the Daily Road Report at Saskatoon.ca.”

City Council has invested over $61 million in 2019 for rehabilitation, maintenance and operations to make more Saskatoon streets, bridges and sidewalks, smoother, safer and longer-lasting.  

We appreciate everyone’s patience during construction. We know it can be a real ‘pain in the asphalt.’ 

The City has lowered flags in civic facilities in honour of Saskatchewan’s 22^nd Lieutenant-Governor, W. Thomas Molloy, who passed away on July 2 following a battle with cancer.

“I had the real privilege of sharing many meals and stages with Lieutenant-Governor Tom Molloy over the last several months,” said Mayor Clark. “He used every speech as a chance to enlighten, to challenge, and to bring us together, to be stronger as a province. He did this throughout his career, right across the country. I thank him for always working to bring out the best in us.”

Flags in civic facilities will fly at half-mast until sunset on the day of Lieutenant-Governor Molloy’s funeral. For members of the public who wish to express their condolences, a condolence book will be available in the lobby of City Hall during regular business hours.

The City of Saskatoon and the Saskatoon Police Service remind drivers to slow down when passing work zones and obey posted signs. To reduce speeding in work zones, City crews will start using temporary speed signs slowing people to 30 km/hr within the work zone on some roads where the speed limit is normally 50 km/hr.

“Even with bright clothing, barricades and signs, drivers continue to risk the lives of our road workers when they drive into equipment, between signs, and speed past without care and attention,” said General Manager Angela Gardiner. “By identifying and posting a temporary speed, it makes the expectation to slow down pretty clear.”

Hundreds of men and women work hard every day to provide Saskatoon residents with services that matter: from drinking water and sewer services, to smooth roads, clean and maintained parks and utility services. But at what cost? Too many drivers continue to ignore work zone signs and put lives at risk.

“It’s not only the law, but the responsibility of every driver to obey work zone signs,” said Saskatoon Police Service Traffic Unit Staff Sergeant Patrick Barbar. “The Traffic Unit will be patrolling work zones, reminding people to slow down, and charging drivers who insist on putting lives in danger by speeding.”

The new 30 km/hr construction zone signs will be rolled out over the next few months for City crews working on local streets. Regardless of whether a temporary speed sign is posted, drivers can be fined by Police for speeding or entering a work zone. Police have asked City workers to report these incidents.

The City’s annual Respect Work Zones public awareness campaign started today, in partnership with the Saskatoon Police Service, stressing that drivers must slow down in a work zone and obey signs. Advertisements include testimonials from real workers talking about their close calls s with drivers in City work zones.

Learn more at saskatoon.ca/respectworkzones.ca.