News Releases

Wages and other issues have been resolved and all that remains between us reaching an agreement is the Transit union’s demand for a better pension deal than anyone else received.

The transit union served the City with a 48 hour strike notice late Friday; it and the City bargained for most of the weekend and made progress towards a collective agreement.    The union executive has refused to take the City’s last offer to its membership.

“The City remains open and wants to continue with the discussions because we are very interested in getting an agreement,” says Catherine Gryba, General Manager of the Corporate Performance Department.  “A ten per cent wage increase is very fair and in the current economic downturn, it’s certainly above what many workers would receive elsewhere in the marketplace.”

Here’s what a Transit operator is being offered in 2016 in Saskatoon compared to what a Transit operator is being paid in Regina and Winnipeg:  

In addition, the City proposes to pay employees that obtain the Professional Bus Operators Certification an additional $0.45/hour effective the first month after ratification.  This would mean those operators would be the highest paid of Regina and Winnipeg at $26.78 per hour.  Based on 40 hours per week this works out to $55,702.40 per year.

Pension

We care about all our employees.  We need to manage and protect the Plan over the long-term for all employees to have a reliable pension.

It remains a defined benefit pension plan. This means at retirement, the plan provides its members with a predictable monthly dollar amount which is based on a combination of their service, age and average earnings. 

“It is not a targeted benefit plan,” Gryba says. “The City is not able to change the current defined benefit plan into a targeted benefit plan under the legislation. No one will lose their pension.”

The City and eight other unions and professional associations in the plan have come to terms on the Pension Plan; everyone recognized it was not on solid financial ground and it needed to be updated to keep it healthy. Employees still have their pensions and their pensions continue to be part of a very good plan. There have been rumours that employees will be losing their pensions, this is simply not true.

“So, the pension agreement is based on shared responsibility between the City and the unions and associations which ensures the plan is protected in the long term,” she says.

The Transit union has refused and wishes to leave all the responsibility on the taxpayers for any future shortfall.

The City cannot move on the pension plan. We have a responsibility to current transit employees, others in the pension plan and tax payers – the Transit union executive doesn't.

For more information and facts on the Final Offer, please go here. 

The Amalgamated Transit Union, 615 (ATU) has served the City of Saskatoon 48-hour strike notice, meaning citizens can expect service disruptions as early as Sunday, September 18, 2016 at 5:00 p.m.

“We are disappointed to receive strike notice since we have been bargaining all week and have made significant progress,” says Marno McInnes, Director of Human Resources.  “We have narrowed the gap between the parties and just provided the Transit union with another offer.”

The City has a responsibility to protect taxpayers’ dollars and the benefits of all City employees. In that spirit, the City has worked hard at presenting a fair and competitive offer to the ATU.

For more information and facts on Transit Contract Negotiations, please go here.

In July 2016, the Government of Canada announced the designation of 13 new nationally significant persons, places, and events that helped define Canada’s history.  Saskatoon’s Montgomery Place and Marr Residence are among those designated.

The Marr Residence received its national historic designation under the category of Developing Economies.  Constructed in 1884, the Marr Residence is the second oldest building in Saskatoon.  It is also part of the history of the Temperance Colonization Society, which established the first major European settlement in the area, facilitated by cooperation with the resident First Nations population.  The Marr Residence is the only survivor of three houses that were part of a field hospital established during the North-West Rebellion of 1885.

Montgomery Place received its national historic designation under the category of Military History.  Saskatoon’s Montgomery Place neighbourhood was developed following World War II as part the Veterans’ Land Act (Act) of 1942, which provided most veterans, ex-servicemen and women, and those with disabilities with a wide range of benefits later extended to veterans of the Korean War.  The Act’s main goal was to provide veterans with the means to become financially independent after their return to civilian life, and it included assistance to build their own homes.

Montgomery Place was built in 1946, on 230 acres of rural land previously in the Rural Municipality of Cory.  The neighbourhood featured small homes on generous, half-acre (minimum) lots, where veterans were expected to plant gardens to supplement their incomes.

2016 marks the neighbourhood’s 70^th anniversary.  To celebrate, the Montgomery Place Community Association is hosting a “Back to the 1940s!” event on Saturday, September 17, 2016.  For event details, visit montgomeryplace.ca.

Other National Historic Sites in the Saskatoon area include the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo, the Next-of-Kin Memorial Avenue, and Wanuskewin Heritage Park.

For more information on heritage properties and programs, visit saskatoon.ca/heritage.

The City’s new Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) system was activated in July for Saskatoon Light & Power and Saskatoon Water customers that have been connected. Meter replacements and water module installations are still underway; however, approximately 42,000 electricity customers and 4,500 water customers are now being charged using actual consumption on their monthly utility bill.

“Our customers can now use this timely, real data to understand how much electricity and water they use,” says Kevin Hudson, Manager of Metering and Sustainable Electricity for Saskatoon Light & Power. “As they make changes to reduce electricity and water consumption, customers can track the usage on their utility bills and save money.”                                                                                                          

The benefits of the new metering system:

• Opportunity to track and understand how much electricity and water is being used so changes can be made to save money;
• Early warning signs of an issue with an appliance or leaking plumbing when irregular usage is recorded; and
• No requirements to provide access to their property for regular meter reading and tenancy changes, or submit actual meter-reads because they will be done remotely.

The City’s new model of citizen service – called Service Saskatoon – is a City-wide shift in how we will deliver front line service, respond to requests and improve services into the future. As part of our Service Saskatoon model, the transition from manual meter-reading to AMI allows us to improve the quality of service to our customers now and into the future.

“In the years ahead, we will be able to use data transmitted by the meters to see where power issues or outages are occurring, which will result in faster response and restoration times,” says Hudson. “And, more importantly, better electrical and water service for residents.”

The City has been installing smart electricity meters since 2008 and is expecting to have all customers converted to the new system by the end of 2017. Water meter and communications module installations started in May 2016, by neighbourhood. Over the next three years, water customers will receive a letter from Saskatoon Water, advising when they can go online to book their appointment.

Learn more about the AMI system for both electricity and water customers at saskatoon.ca.

Starting Monday, September 19, the City will close Spadina Crescent West between Avenues A and D to conduct water main lining work. The work is expected to take about 10 days, weather permitting, and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

“A full closure of Spadina Crescent West within this area is necessary because we need to dig access pits at the intersections of Avenues A, B and C,” says Rob Frank, Engineering Manager of Asset Preservation. “We are piloting a new product to line the water main to a ‘like new’ condition while continuing to maintain the quality of water that citizens expect.”

The piloted water main liner leverages a new technology and may be used on future projects around the city. “The technique we are using is intended to be faster and economical, allowing us to rehabilitate specific types of water mains more efficiently,” says Frank. “This will help extend the service life of this water main in a less disruptive more cost effective way to residents, area businesses, and drivers.”

The water main lining work will not impact water service to residents or businesses in the area; there won’t be any temporary water lines nor water advisories in effect

Farmers’ Market parking lots will remain accessible throughout the work period, although at times there may be some minor parking restrictions. Drivers are encouraged to use 19th Street to access Avenues A, B and C between 19th Street and Spadina Crescent West.

As always, drivers are reminded to slow down, pay attention and obey signage around work zones at all times. For more information, please visit saskatoon.ca/betterroads. 

Imagine you are a Cree hunter and you discover you can no longer track Bison because a railroad is being built. Then, the government says you have to stay put and try to feed your family; this is the experience the Wîcihitowin “blanket exercise” wants to create for participants.

“We’re hoping to teach community and business leaders more about our shared history, which continues to touch our current times,” says Gilles Dorval, Director of Aboriginal Relations with the City of Saskatoon. “Education creates more understanding and compassion. In Saskatoon, we’ve made a lot of positive change for the inclusion of our indigenous community, but as the Truth and Reconciliation Commission demonstrated, we still have a ways to go.”

Covering more than 500 years of Indigenous peoples’ history, 40 participants took part in the interactive learning experience at the Frances Morrison Library today. Part of the Wîcihitowin (wee-CHEE-toh-win) Speaker Series, the event brings together people from Indigenous and non-Indigenous organizations from in and around Saskatoon to gain greater understanding of historic and contemporary Indigenous issues.

This Wîcihitowin Speaker Series event takes place in advance of the Wîcihitowin Aboriginal Engagement Conference, October 12-13, in Saskatoon.

“Our organizing committee hopes to continue spreading the message and realizing the meaning of Wîcihitowin,” says Neal Kewistep, Manager, Our Neighbourhood Health Centre & Building Health Equity for the Saskatoon Health Region. “That means learning from one another to build a better community and assisting organizations in responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action.”

The October conference is presented in partnership with the United Way of Saskatoon, Aboriginal Friendship Centres of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon Health Region, and the City of Saskatoon

“Wîcihitowin was created on the premise that by working together, we can achieve more and create a community where everyone thrives,” says Warren Isbister-Bear, Director of Aboriginal Relations for the United Way of Saskatoon. “The Reconciliation component is the participation from organizations and individuals within our community to gain an understanding of our shared history and make efforts of reconciliation.”

Follow the conversation on Facebook and Twitter using #Wicihitowin2016.

Wîcihitowin supports the City’s Strategic Goal of “Quality of Life” by identifying actions for enhancing Aboriginal well-being and participation in our community. For more information, visit Saskatoon.ca/aboriginalrelations.

September 7, 2016 Meeting

7.2.1 High School Bus Passes – Tammy Jensen

Decision

* The Committee recommended to City Council:
-That the age limit of 21 for eligibility to purchase High School Student fares, rides (tickets) and passes be eliminated.
-That the change be effective September 1, 2016.
-That the City Solicitor be directed to amend The Transit Fares Amendment Bylaw No. 9078 as outlined in the report.

Background

*A speaker at the November 9, 2015 SPC on Transportation meeting requested that the current age limit of 21 for eligibility to purchase the high school bus pass be removed.
*Saskatoon Transit Administration met with the School Boards on the matter.

7.2.2 Inquiry – Councillor Hill (April 25, 2016) Transit and the Saskatoon School Divisions

Decision

*The Committee recommended the report be forwarded to City Council as information.

Background

*The report provides an update on the possibility of increasing ridership while at the same time providing support for school divisions to decrease operating costs.
*Administration and both Saskatoon School Boards have met to consult about the various suggestions in the original inquiries.
*The School Boards were interested in some of the suggestions and have agreed to work with Saskatoon Transit to develop proposals.

September 7, 2016 Meeting

7.2.1 Inquiry – Councillor Jeffries (January 25, 2016) Options for Assistance – Front Street Garbage and Recycling on Streets with Significant Parking

Decision

*The Committee recommended to City Council:
-That the information be received.
-That the Administration be directed to report back to City Council in December 2017 with updated information once a full study has been completed.
-That the Administration consider a two-person collection crew on select collection routes.

Background

*The following inquiry was made by Councillor Jeffries: “Residents on some streets have trouble setting out their garbage and recycling bins because there are no areas available with sufficient distance from parked vehicles to guarantee bin pick-up. Could Administration please report back on options to help residents with the problem of front-street garbage and recycling pick-up on streets with significant use of on-street parking."
*Administration is studying multiple options to address collection on streets with significant parking.
*Administration will prepare a recommendation following evaluation of all options with a complete life cycle value analysis.
*When a more comprehensive report is submitted in December, Administration will seek City Council’s direction on whether or not to proceed further with this initiative, which will involve significant citizen engagement.

September 6, 2016 Meeting

6.1.1 Snow & Ice Management Program, Value for Money Report, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP

Decision

*The Committee receive the report as information.

Background

*The value for money engagement was conducted to determine whether program management is achieving economically, efficiently, and effectively in the manner in which they are operating.
*The report found the Snow & Ice Management Program of the City of Saskatoon is evolving and its ability to better track program data on a continual basis is improving.
*As a result of performing this value for money engagement of the Snow & Ice Management Program, PricewaterhouseCoopers concluded the program in place is effective in achieving the objectives set by management and the program is achieving economy and efficiency.

September 13, 2016 Meeting

10.1 2017 Business Plan and Budget Process

Decision

The Governance and Priorities Committee resolved:

*That the resolution of the Governance and Priorities Committee of April 18, 2016 endorsing the proposed process for the 2017 Business Plan and Budget, be rescinded.
*That Phase 4 outlined in Attachment 1 of the report of the City Manager dated April 18, 2016 be amended and endorsed to reflect that the Administration will table the proposed 2017 Business Plan and Budget at a special meeting of the Governance and Priorities Committee to be held on Monday, November 7, 2016 at 1:00 p.m.
*That a special meeting of the Governance and Priorities Committee be held on Monday, September 19, 2016 at 12 noon to receive an update report from the Administration on the 2017 Business Plan and Budget.

Additional Information

*Councillor Charlie Clark moved for the release of the proposed budget prior to the 2017 Municipal Elections.
*City Council voted unanimously in April 2016 to endorse the 2017 Budget Plan put forward by Administration to release the preliminary budget at the Governance and Priorities Committee on November 21, 2016.