News Releases

From November 1, 2022, through October 31, 2023, the City will be piloting a new parking program for Veterans that will allow Saskatchewan Veterans with registered Veteran plates issued by SGI to park free of charge in Saskatoon's pay parking zones within the posted time limits.

”Through community engagement and research, it was found that amendments to the existing program could be made to provide a simplified and improved process for veteran parking similar to other Saskatchewan cities that are offering Veteran parking programs” says Matt Grazier, Director of Community Standards with the City of Saskatoon, “This is a pilot program that we are pleased to offer as a small ‘thank you’ to Saskatchewan Veterans for their service to our city, province, and country.”

This initiative is part of a one-year pilot project exploring the impacts of this program on parking supply and turnover in pay parking zones. At the end of the pilot project, City Administration and City Council will review the impacts and decide whether to continue the program beyond the pilot’s end date.

For more information, visit saskatoon.ca/veteranparking.

Another construction season has drawn to a close and with City Council’s annual $64 million investment, City and contractor crews have again improved several kilometres of roadways and sidewalks and replaced water mains and service connections in historic neighbourhoods.

A major rehabilitation project on Circle Drive North involved rebuilding severely deteriorated curbs and medians between Alberta Avenue and Millar Avenue. The east bound lanes were also repaved. It’s just one of many high traffic areas of Saskatoon to receive major improvements this year.

“We’ll return in the spring of 2023 to resurface the westbound lanes,” says General Manager of Transportation and Construction, Terry Schmidt. “This was our plan from the beginning of the construction season because we wanted to avoid major traffic tie ups and restrictions to business access points on this section of Circle Drive over such an extended continuous timeframe.”

Other major projects included intersection resurfacing and adding a right-hand turning lane on Warman Road southbound onto 33^rd Street, rehabilitating the Spadina Crescent Bridge, repaving the Attridge Drive overpass at Circle Drive, and the continuation of water main replacement projects in several neighbourhoods. Schmidt says approximately 24 kilometres of water mains and sanitary sewer mains were replaced or rehabilitated in 2022, which is about the distance from Downtown Saskatoon to Warman.

“We truly appreciate the patience of residents in neighbourhoods where water main replacements took place,” Schmidt says. “In some areas, we ran into unexpected circumstances which caused delays. The water main replacement program will continue next year.

Also in 2023, construction will have an impact to commuters using the nearly 40-year-old Circle Drive North Bridge. One side will accommodate two-way traffic while the other side is rehabilitated. The pedestrian bridge underneath will not be affected. Several more construction projects will be planned over the upcoming winter months.

Sidewalks are also a major focus every summer with City departments working collaboratively to make significant improvements to the management and execution of the Sidewalk Repair Program. In 2022, crews repaired or rehabilitated approximately 59 kilometers of sidewalks and curbs.

For more 2022 construction highlights, please visit saskatoon.ca/construction.

New online educational tools and in-person support are now available for Saskatoon businesses and organizations working to implement new recycling requirements within the Waste Bylaw that came into effect earlier this year.

As of January 1, 2022, all businesses and organizations in Saskatoon are required to separate recyclable materials from garbage. The materials covered by the regulations are the same items that are currently included in the City’s residential recycling programs. The new regulation means all businesses and organizations are required to:

• Have separate labelled containers for garbage and recycling;
• Educate employees and tenants annually about which materials are recyclable and how to sort them; and
• Ensure recycling and garbage are removed and taken to an appropriate facility.

“As businesses and organizations generate 68% of the garbage in our community, this program is an important step towards Saskatoon’s waste diversion targets,” says Jeanna South, Director of Sustainability. “In addition to conserving natural resources, saving valuable space in our landfill, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions, having a business and organization recycling program demonstrates an organization’s commitment to the economic and environmental well-being of our community.” 

To help businesses and organizations to be successful in meeting these requirements, the City of Saskatoon has launched a variety of new tools and resources to access from a dedicated webpage, saskatoon.ca/businessrecycling. Whether a business or organization currently has a recycling program in place or is still working toward meeting the requirements, there are many helpful aids now available to access.

These new supports include a new Recycling Guide for Businesses and Organizations, an educational video on Business Recycling to explain the requirements, and recycling signage to print and put in place onsite. Another key tool available on the webpage is the addition of the Business Waste Wizard, which will help businesses and organizations find out where they can divert recyclable items as well as other materials. Businesses may also request in-person support, such as lunch and learn presentations or site visits to assist with setting up waste diversion and troubleshooting issues.

“These new resources help us to progress the City’s Solid Waste Reduction and Diversion Plan,” says South. “The residential recycling program has been successful in keeping items out of the landfill, and now with businesses and organizations coming on board, all of our community will be working together to progress our waste diversion goals.”

Education will be the focus for the next year, and enforcement is set to begin in October 2023. Businesses that meet specific criteria may apply for an exemption from the new regulations, which will then be reviewed for approval by the City.

In 2023, a similar regulation for food and yard waste diversion will take effect, which will require businesses and organizations that generate these materials in their operations to separate materials. New education and support for food and yard waste are planned to launch in 2023.

Businesses and organizations are encouraged to visit saskatoon.ca/businessrecycling to find links to all recycling education tools. 

The City’s Governance & Priorities Committee (GPC) will receive an administrative information report on Monday, October 24, 2022, regarding the Municipal Wards Commission's establishment of ward boundaries in Saskatoon. With the next civic election in Saskatoon taking place in 2024, a review of current ward boundaries must be undertaken according to The Cities Act, Bylaw No. 8164 which contains the rules for creating wards.

“Ward boundary reviews must be completed no less than 180 days before a general municipal election,” says Adam Tittemore, City Clerk. “As we will engage with ward residents on any proposed ward boundary changes, a good amount of lead time is required to undertake the review process.”

Ward boundary reviews have been conducted for each of the last three elections, in 2012, 2016, and 2020. Past reports of the Municipal Wards Commission have noted the projected growth in several neighbourhoods and anticipated that further ward modifications would be required before future municipal elections.

Why review current ward boundaries?

The Cities Act requires that the population of each ward be uniform and that any ward must not vary by more than 10% from the figure that is obtained by dividing the total population of the city by the number of wards into which the city is divided.  If a variance of more than 10% is determined, the Municipal Wards Commission is required to review the ward boundaries. While not applicable in this case, the legislation also requires a review at least once every three election cycles.

Determining population in Saskatoon

The 2021 Census indicates that Saskatoon’s total population is 266,141 (an increase from 247,201 in 2016). However, traditionally the City has utilized provincial health data which has been determined to be a more accurate and timely reflection of the population of Saskatoon. Utilizing eHealth data current to June 30, 2022, the City’s Planning and Development Branch has determined the total population to be 285,445 (an increase from 270,790 in December 2018).

Ward 2 and Ward 7 are affected

Each of the ten wards in Saskatoon must have a population within +/- 10% of 28,545 (25,690 – 31,399). Current ward populations using June 30, 2022, Saskatchewan eHealth population information show that Ward 2 and Ward 7 are both outside of the 10% variation limit. The population within Ward 2 is below the limit, and in Ward 7 it is above.

The Municipal Wards Commission will undertake the process of reviewing the ward boundaries. Public consultation will be an important part of the review process. The new ward boundaries will be established in 2023, to take effect for the 2024 civic election.

Visit saskatoon.ca or contact the City Clerk’s Office at 306-975-3240 for more information.

The Governance & Priorities Committee (GPC) will consider an administrative information report at its next meeting on October 24, 2022, on the 2023 Business Plan and Budget’s pressures and opportunities. The City’s Multi-Year Business Plan & Budget (MYBB) Policy allows Administration to bring forward adjustments to the budget in the second year of the two-year cycle. The City is then able to adapt and respond to pressures and opportunities that are present due to changing municipal, provincial, and federal environments.

“This report provides an update on the financial landscape for the City heading into 2023. The world has changed significantly since the initial 2023 budget was prepared and the City is not immune to the inflationary and supply chain issues organizations have faced globally,” says Clae Hack, Chief Financial Officer. 

“While expenditures such as fuel, natural gas and other contracted services have seen increases, the City is also expecting to see significant increases in revenues from sources such as Municipal Revenue Sharing, Investment Income and Transit revenues to offset most of these impacts,” adds Hack.”

Background

At its November 29, 2021, 2022/23 Preliminary Business Plan and Budget meeting, City Council approved the 2023 Operating and Capital Plans. 

The details of the previously approved 2023 Operating Plan can be found in the 2022-2023 Approved Detailed Operating document. Additionally, the approved 2023 Capital Plan can be found in the Approved Capital Budget Project documents. 

Next Steps

“It’s important to note that these potential adjustments have not yet been approved,” adds Hack. “The  budget adjustments and mitigation strategies will be debated by City Council at its 2023 Budget Meeting on November 28, 2022.” 

Administration is exploring options for operating budget reductions for City Council to consider and will present them to City Council on November 28. In addition, capital project adjustments will be presented for deliberation.

Visit saskatoon.ca/budget