News Releases

Today, the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities, His Worship Charlie Clark, Mayor of Saskatoon, and Josipa Petrunić, President and CEO of the Canadian Urban Transit Research & Innovation Consortium (CUTRIC), announced a joint investment of $420,000 to plan for the electrification of Saskatoon Transit’s bus fleet.

With this funding, Saskatoon Transit will create a five-phase strategy that will review the costs, assess the risks and advantages, and identify the infrastructure and internal resources needed to transition to a low-carbon fleet. This plan will guide the City of Saskatoon’s efforts to meet their goal of electrifying their entire fleet.

By investing in infrastructure, the Government of Canada is growing our country’s economy, increasing the resiliency of our communities, and improving the lives of Canadians.

Quotes

“The electrification of our transportation sector is one of the most impactful measures we can take to reduce our emissions and build a clean economy. This funding will allow Saskatoon Transit to plan for the successful electrification of their bus fleet, which will provide quieter, cleaner transit options to the city’s residents. Our government will continue working with its partners in Saskatchewan and across the country to build public transit systems Canadians can rely on.”

The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities

“This important funding will allow Saskatoon to take crucial steps towards modernizing and electrifying our bus fleet. The recent electric bus pilot project showed just some of the possible benefits that can be realized through rapidly evolving technology in the field of transportation. Moving people efficiently and reducing costs while also taking steps to meet targets from our Low Emissions Community Plan will help to ensure a modern and sustainable public transportation system for residents of Saskatoon.”

His Worship Charlie Clark, Mayor of Saskatoon

“At CUTRIC, we know that sustainability is a continuous journey. We are committed to taking significant strides toward a net zero future, and our collaborative effort with the City of Saskatoon and Saskatoon Transit is a testament to that. This project is not just about modernizing fleets; it’s about taking responsibility for the future of our communities and the health and well-being of our citizens. We’re proud to be part of history in Saskatchewan.” 

Josipa Petrunić, President & CEO, Canadian Urban Transit Research & Innovation Consortium (CUTRIC)

Quick facts

• The Government of Canada is investing $336,000 for this project, and the City of Saskatoon is contributing $84,000. 
• Launched in 2021, the $2.75B Zero Emission Transit Fund offers support to public transit and school bus operators across Canada who are electrifying their fleets. 
• The Government of Canada is investing $10 million through the Zero Emission Transit Fund over five years to help transit bus operators to complete planning work and increase their level of readiness to transition to zero emission bus fleets.
• CUTRIC’s mission is to support the commercialization of technologies through industry-led collaborative research, development, demonstration, and integration projects that bring innovative design to Canada’s low-carbon smart mobility ecosystem.
• This project aligns with Saskatoon’s Low Emissions Community Plan, a long-term roadmap for the City to achieve its greenhouse gas reduction targets.

Associated links

• Building Canada's public transit future: Healthy and sustainable modes of transportation for all
• Zero Emission Transit Fund
• Canadian Urban Transit Research & Innovation Consortium
• Saskatoon Climate Action Plan – Progress Report 2021

Green cart deployment is well underway across Saskatoon. All households with black garbage carts and blue recycling carts are receiving a green cart, specifically for food and yard waste, and a kitchen pail starter kit. To date, more than 50% of eligible households have received their carts and kitchen pails.

The third-party contractor responsible for cart deployment has experienced some delays but is increasing crews and workdays to ensure deployment will be completed on time. They have increased from five teams to eight and are now working seven days a week instead of six.

“We have experienced a few setbacks with deployment but with additional resources added by the contractor, we are confident all eligible households will receive their green carts by the end of April,” says Brendan Lemke, Director of Water and Waste Operations. “We would like to reassure residents that they will not be charged for the green cart program before they’ve physically received their cart.”

A monthly average utility fee of $6.73 will appear on City utility bills beginning in May. Households will not incur the organics charge until they have received their carts. The fee covers collection, composting, cart maintenance, education programs and program management.

“We are delivering green carts to all eligible households in the city that currently receive curbside collections to ensure that every eligible household has an opportunity to participate,” Lemke says. "We understand there are instances where, due to space or other constraints, residents of townhouses and properties with secondary suites may want to share carts. We have been hearing from some folks and we do have a process in place if they want to request one or some of their green carts be removed.

A representative from a townhouse complex or an owner of a property with a secondary suite can contact Corporate Revenue Customer Service at 306-975-2400 or revenue@saskatoon.ca to request to have one or some of their green carts removed. Monthly utility fees will still apply to each eligible household even if green carts are removed. The City is focused on successfully completing deployment, ensuring townhomes and secondary suites receive the right size and number of carts, and giving residents time to try out the program for a few months. The majority of single-family residences will not have the opportunity to refuse their green cart until fall.

“Findings from other municipalities show that waste diversion rates increased and requests to opt-out reduced considerably after residents had time to try the new service, so we’d ask that you at least give it a shot this summer,” adds Lemke. "It will also be important to for residents to get used to the new garbage collection schedule. Garbage will now be collected bi-weekly year-round, since more than half of what used to go into the black carts is accepted in the new green cart.”

Green cart collection will begin in May. If your green cart is already full and you have excess yard waste, you can drop it off for free at the City’s two Compost Depots, which are now open for the season. Residents can also pick up one cubic yard of compost or mulch for free while supplies last at the West Compost Depot.  

Later this year the City is launching an organics regulation for businesses and organizations that generate food or yard waste as part of their operations, as well as a pilot project for multi-unit food and yard waste diversion.

For more information about green carts, and to download the ‘Saskatoon Waste Wizard’ app to check collection dates and sign up for collection reminders, please visit saskatoon.ca/greencart.

Youth in Saskatoon are taking action to improve our environment through the Student Action for a Sustainable Future (SASF) program, funded in part by the City of Saskatoon. Financial support for environmental programs like SASF is one way the City demonstrates its commitment to its strategic goal of environmental leadership.

Approximately 325 Grade 4-8 students from 12 classes and 11 schools across the city have been working on different sustainability-focused projects in areas including waste reduction and diversion, biodiversity, water and energy conservation, sustainable transportation, and food production.

Media and community members are invited to attend the showcase event on Tuesday, April 4 from 10:00AM to 11:30AM at the Western Development Museum. Students, teachers, and program representatives will be available for interview.

“Our continued partnership with the SASF program helps to create the next generation of environmental champions and sustainability ambassadors,” says Katie Burns, Manager of Education and Environmental Performance. “We see so much creativity and passion from these student projects that you can’t help but be hopeful and inspired by these young environmental problem solvers.”

Now in its tenth year, the SASF program has seen over 3,500 students participate and student enthusiasm for this experiential learning opportunity remains high.

“We see now more than ever in the tenth year of the SASF program that students are deeply engaged due to the strength of our learning-by-doing action model,” says Amber Burton, Saskatchewan Environmental Society’s SASF Coordinator. “The effectiveness of the program is evident in the quality of student projects we see each year. Students are excited to share their results and learnings from their projects at the in-person showcase which is sure to inspire those that attend to make sustainable changes in their own lives!”

The Student Action for a Sustainable Future program is a partnership between the City of Saskatoon, the Saskatchewan Environmental Society, the Saskatoon Public School Division, the Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools Division, the Sustainability Education Research Institute, Nutrien, and Saskatoon Light and Power along with several other educational stakeholders and community organizations.

For more information, visit Saskatoon.ca/StudentAction.

The City of Saskatoon now offers a free energy coaching service that will support local homeowners who want to learn more about energy efficiency renovations and take advantage of the Canada Greener Homes grant and interest-free loan program. This energy coaching service delivered by energy expert Summerhill can help to help make homes more energy-efficient by: 

• Explaining energy audits and help with prioritization of upgrades considering factors like cost, comfort, and energy reduction; 

• Explaining how to reduce day-to-day energy consumption by changing behaviours in the home; and 

• Helping residents get clarity about available rebates and grants to help reduce energy use in the home through various upgrades like insulation, window and door replacement, air source heat pumps, solar installations, and more.

The coaching service is available over the phone, email, or in-person. Residents can call toll-free, 1-888-834-1889, or email EnergyCoachSK@summerhill.com.   

Energy consumption from residential buildings accounted for 42% of Saskatoon’s greenhouse gas emissions related to energy in 2021, and residential homes account for almost a quarter of our overall community emissions. 

“The City’s goal is to help reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from homes and other buildings,” says Jeanna South, Director of Sustainability. “Home energy renovations are an important first step in achieving Saskatoon’s emissions reduction targets. The coaches are well-versed to address the unique challenges presented at each home when it comes to renovations”.  

Residents are encouraged to use the links provided to learn more about home energy renovations, greenhouse gas emission reduction, and financial incentives currently being offered. This is the second tool launched in 2023 to assist with energy-smart renovations. Additional tools will launch later in the year. 

This program is being carried out with assistance from the Green Municipal Fund, financed by the Government of Canada and administered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. 

Associated links:  

Saskatoon.ca/RenoResources 

https://solar.myheat.ca/saskatoon/

Discover a wide selection of toys, puzzles, games and plush animals at the new Zoo Gift Shop. Items available showcase the wild and wonderful animals that call the Zoo home and directly support conservation, research, education and enrichment programs at the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo.

“We are so pleased to bring back an opportunity for kids, and the kids at heart, to explore their imagination and take home a wonderful souvenir,” says Jeff Mitchell, Zoo Manager. “It was important for us to ensure items were sustainably sourced and many of our plush animals are made from 100% recycled materials. Plastic bottles are shredded into pellets and then turned into the yarn and fabric that is used to make the irresistibly cute animals you will see in our gift shop.”

The Zoo Gift Shop will also feature custom art pieces created by current and former Bunkhouse residency artists. The Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo Bunkhouse contains six artist studios and public gallery space. Thirty artists have taken part in the residency program since it launched in 2019 and a limited selection of custom painted totes, cards, paintings and pictures will be available for sale.

The Zoo Gift shop will open for the season on Saturday, April 1, 2023 and is located in the Zoo Admissions building.

The Zoo is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Visit saskatoon.ca/zoo to plan your next visit.