News Releases

The City of Saskatoon is set to kick off its annual Fall Street Sweeping Campaign, a crucial initiative aimed at maintaining the city's cleanliness and strategy to prevent springtime flooding.  

From October 16 to October 25, street sweeping crews will be hard at work clearing the streets of fallen leaves in the city’s leafiest neighbourhoods: Buena Vista, Caswell Hill, City Park, Exhibition, Holiday Park, King George, Mayfair, Nutana, Riversdale and Varsity View. Find your sweep day at saskatoon.ca/sweep. 

“Leaves can pose a challenge when they accumulate on city streets and can plug catch basins and storm drains, leading to flooding during the spring melt,” says Tracy Danielson, Roadways Manager. 

“This proactive measure is a safeguard for City infrastructure and enhances the overall quality of life for residents.” 

Like residential street sweeping in the spring, temporary parking restrictions will be enforced with ticketing and towing as required. 

How you can help: 

1. Pick up leaves on the sidewalk and boulevard beside your property. Don’t push leaves onto the street because big piles of leaves slow down sweeping. 

2. Put loose leaves in your green cart or take them to a compost depot. Bagged leaves can go in your black cart. 

3. Watch for yellow No Parking signs and move your car by 7:00 a.m. on your sweep day. Refer to Find My Vehicle! to locate your vehicle if it was towed or call our Customer Care Centre at 306-975-2476. 

Service Alerts will be issued for any expected changes that may affect the sweep schedule, such as weather. Find more information at saskatoon.ca/sweep. 

Following the October 6 provincial government announcement of its plan for homelessness and mental health supports, the City is being asked to assist provincial ministry officials locate compatible areas where smaller-sized shelters could operate. 

The province last week outlined several strategies to address the homelessness, mental health and addictions crisis in Saskatoon and other cities.  The plan calls for more supports for mental health and addictions plus a three-pillar approach to addressing homelessness. 

As outlined in an Administration report to the Wednesday, October 11 meeting of Governance and Priorities Committee of City Council, the provincial government program is prepared to provide funding for all the real estate, rental and operating costs for smaller-sized shelters. There would be independent service providers to operate the shelters.  

Shelters with fewer beds have operated throughout Saskatoon with minimal negative impact.  As noted in the report, there are successful examples of emergency shelters in Saskatoon that are similar in size to the two sites being sought for the new facilities. The report highlights the City’s role would be limited.   

The proposed criteria would be: 

• Two sites providing a combined total of 60 beds 

• Beds in an open shelter-type hall with movable partitions 

• Some private rooms with internal access 

• Area suitable for staff office space 

• Kitchen, showers and bathroom facilities 

• Internal and external gathering spaces on site 

• Proximity to other services   

• Zoned appropriately for shelter/care home or applicable for Emergency Shelter zoning provision 

The provincial government announcement follows recent results from the Civic Services Survey which identifies homelessness as the most important issue facing the city.   

On Saturday, Oct. 7, the City of Saskatoon launched a new anti-racism video in partnership with the City of Regina at the Saskatchewan Roughriders home game at Mosaic Stadium.

The video is a collaboration between a number of Saskatchewan sports organizations and athletes including the Saskatchewan Roughriders, the Saskatchewan Rattlers Basketball Team, Saskatoon Blades Hockey Team, USask Huskies, Fighting Sioux Lacrosse Team, Standing Buffalo Saskatchewan Lacrosse Association, and athletes Michael Linklater and Carol Lafayette-Boyd.

“Using the powerful influence of athletes, we’re seeking to shed light on racism in a way that’s inspiring, positive, and empowering,” says City of Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark. “We’re hoping this video will inspire people to speak up when they hear something wrong. Racism can only exist if we allow it to.”

“We build bridges of understanding and respect by engaging in open and honest conversations,” says City of Regina Mayor Sandra Masters. “When we speak up against prejudice and discrimination, we can help combat racism and create a more inclusive community for all residents.”

The City of Saskatoon’s 2022-25 Strategic Plan states that it’s a Council priority to advance work that contributes to the elimination of individual and systemic discrimination. In support of this, the City of Saskatoon shares anti-racism messages to raise the collective awareness about the presence of racism and discrimination and to encourage each of us to be a bridge.

Be a Bridge

• If you hear something wrong, offensive or hateful: step up, speak up.
• Racism is real and it’s happening all around us every day. But it doesn’t have to be that way—we can change the game.
• It’s up to current generations to change the story and create a legacy of healthy and inclusive societies.
• Be a Bridge to ending racism.
• Together we can ensure no one gets left behind.

The video can be accessed here: Be a Bridge to Ending Racism.

To coincide with Sisters in Spirit Day on October 4, Saskatoon Transit partnered with talented Indigenous artist Vanessa Hyggen, to unveil a new bus shelter at Preston Avenue and Adelaide Street. This is Saskatoon Transit’s fifth bus shelter in commitment to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action #79.  

This year’s bus shelter was created in collaboration with family and community members affected by the tragedy of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls (MMIWG), as well as Two-Spirit individuals. Vanessa skillfully integrated the shared thoughts and emotions of the group. Her aim was to pay tribute to and raise awareness of the issues faced, provide a healing space, and encourage community members to speak out. The bus shelter stands as a tribute to the lives affected by this tragic issue, a call for justice, and a symbol of hope for a brighter tomorrow.

Scan the QR code on the front of the bus shelter to be directed to a webpage page that includes the full story behind the artwork, information on the committee members that inspired the piece, and previous bus shelter art projects. 

For more information, visit: saskatoon.ca/trc-bus-shelter-art 

The other four Saskatoon Transit bus shelters displaying Indigenous artwork are located at the following locations:  

• Confederation Drive & Massey Drive  
• Rusholme Road at E.D. Feehan High School 
• Broadway Avenue & 12 Street  
• Clarence Avenue at Aden Bowman Collegiate  

Faith Bosse, artwork committee member says: "I'm so thankful to have worked alongside the talented artists & family members who helped piece together this beautiful artwork over the past few months. As the daughter of an MMIW, it means so much to me to have something representing all of the families & our loved ones we have lost.” 

Paul Trottier, artwork committee member says: “This bus shelter helps to lift the veil of silence, it expresses the voice of those who are missing, those who cannot be heard. Those who are missing are a part of someone, a life, a future, a human being.  We want our loved ones back.” 

Vanessa Hyggen, Indigenous artist says: “I've been honoured to work with the families who shared their stories with me. I carried their words and stories on my heart for about 3 weeks before I began to draw. Once I started to draw though, I felt like the direction of the piece all came together. I met with the committee a couple of times, received feedback, then worked to incorporate the feedback. This piece is a story, and a feeling, and I can only hope that it will help to elevate their voices, and raise the issue of Murdered and Missing Indigenous Women, Girls and Two -Spirit People.” 

Charlie Clark, Mayor says: “Coinciding with the National Day of Action for Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls, I am proud to be able to unveil this new shelter. The Bus Shelter Art projects placed around the city provide meaningful art displays that tie together learning, understanding, and steps towards reconciliation. I am very grateful for all of the community partners and city staff who helped make this happen. The willingness of community members to support our work in responding to the TRC Calls to Action continues to be invaluable.” 

Jim Puffalt, Director of Saskatoon Transit says: “We hope this bus shelter serves as an inclusive space where everyone, regardless of their background, feels valued and protected. With Vanessa and the committee members, we have crafted a beacon of awareness and a tribute to the strength of Indigenous cultures.” 

Crews are putting the finishing touches on Saskatoon’s Circle Drive North Bridge, which has been under construction since the beginning of March. All traffic restrictions will be removed by late afternoon Tuesday, October 3, 2023.

“Work progressed well over the past several months, and we are opening the bridge approximately three weeks ahead of schedule and within the $10.5 million budget,” says Todd Grabowski, City of Saskatoon Engineering Manager of Asset Preservation. “We’ve improved the overall life span of the 40-year-old bridge, ensuring it will last for several more decades.”

The Circle Drive North Bridge Rehabilitation project:

• Was a proactive construction project to optimize both the service life and the overall capital life cycle costs
• Started early in 2023 to ensure all the work was completed during one construction season rather than extending the work over two years
• Included asphalt and barrier replacements, drainage improvements, and concrete repairs to the bridge deck, piers and abutments
• Included minor repairs to the pedestrian bridge above Circle Drive North that connects Pembina Place to G.D. Archibald Park

The 275-metre-long bridge opened in 1983 at a cost of $11.8 million. In 2005, additional lanes were added on each side of the bridge and in 2007, the pedestrian bridge below opened. 

For more information about current and future construction, please visit saskatoon.ca/construction.