News Releases

SASKATOON, SK — Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. However, the COVID-19 pandemic has increased the need for affordable housing and led to rising levels of homelessness. The Government of Canada created a national strategy to build hundreds of thousands of units and provide affordable housing to people across the country. By continuing to make investments in affordable housing, the government is building stronger communities, creating jobs, and growing our middle class, while fighting homelessness and helping vulnerable Canadians.

Adam Vaughan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister Responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), and Charlie Clark, Mayor of Saskatoon, today announced $7.6 million to create an estimated 36 new affordable homes for individuals and families in Saskatoon through the Cities Stream under expanded Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI). These housing units will support Canadians who are in uncertain housing situations, experiencing or at risk of homelessness, or living in temporary shelters because of the pandemic.

This is in addition to the Government of Canada’s previous investment of $17 million through the first phase of the Rapid Housing Initiative under the Projects Stream to support the creation of 84 affordable homes for First Nations in Saskatchewan.

In its initial round, with funding of $1 billion announced in October 2020, the RHI exceeded its original target of 3,000 permanent affordable housing units and achieved 4,700 units nationally. Due to this success, an additional $1.5 billion for the Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI) was recently announced to create 4,500 new units of permanent affordable housing across the country. Thanks to this expansion, this initiative will now create over 9,200 affordable homes for the most vulnerable Canadians across the country.

This new investment will create thousands of good jobs in the housing and construction sector, grow the middle class, and build back stronger communities, while getting us closer to our goal of eliminating chronic homelessness in Canada

Quotes:

“Every Canadian deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. Today's funding through the Rapid Housing Initiative will go a long way to support those who need it most by quickly providing nearly 36 new affordable homes for vulnerable individuals and families in Saskatoon to keep them safe. This is one of the ways our National Housing Strategy continues to ensure no one is left behind.” – The Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Minister responsible for Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation

“Everyone deserves a roof over their head and a safe place to call home. Today’s announcement of additional funding through the Rapid Housing Initiative will have a huge impact on our most vulnerable citizens. These new affordable homes will make a difference in addressing the increasing risk of homelessness. Here in Saskatoon, the City will be giving priority to Indigenous-led projects as we recognize the importance of providing housing and supports that is grounded in the culture and identity of the people needing help and healing.  I would like to thank the federal government for their ongoing commitment to creating affordable housing for our most vulnerable individuals and families.” – Charlie Clark, Mayor of Saskatoon

Quick facts:

• The RHI is delivered by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), under the National Housing Strategy (NHS). 
• Canada’s NHS is an ambitious, 10-year plan that will invest over $72 billion to give more Canadians a place to call home. Launched in 2017, the NHS will build and repair thousands of housing units, and help households with affordability support. 
• The RHI is a $1 billion program launched in October 2020 to help address urgent housing needs of vulnerable Canadians, especially in the context of COVID-19, through the rapid construction of affordable housing.
• Due to this success, an additional $1.5 billion for the Rapid Housing Initiative (RHI) was recently announced through Budget 2021 with $500 million in funding under the Cities Stream being allocated to the following municipalities: Burnaby, Calgary, Capital Regional District, Durham, Edmonton, Gatineau, Greater Sudbury, Halifax, Hamilton, Iqaluit, Kingston, Laval, London, Longueil, Montreal, Niagara, Ottawa, Peel, Quebec, Regina, Saskatoon, Surrey, St. John’s, Toronto, Vancouver, Waterloo, Whitehorse, Windsor, Winnipeg, and Yellowknife.
• Under the Projects Stream: $1 billion will be allocated to eligible applications submitted during the RHI’s initial application period last fall and having not yet received funding.
• Based on feedback from stakeholders, CMHC has introduced new flexibilities to the RHI:
  • Program applicants will be eligible to receive funding for additional forms of new construction beyond modular, if units can be built within 12 months.
  • Non-profits will now have an opportunity to demonstrate that they have the financial capacity to support the viability of units without government subsidy (self-funded). 
  • Cities will have a longer time to submit projects (60 days instead of 30).
  • Project delivery timelines have been adjusted for projects located in the North and special access communities.
• At least 25 per cent of this new funding will go toward women-focused housing projects. The units will be built within 12 months of when funding is provided to program applicants.
• The RHI will continue to prioritize proposals that target units serving Indigenous peoples and other vulnerable groups. It will also continue to provide flexibilities on timelines to Indigenous governing bodies or organizations as needed.
• Due to the considerable response during the first round of the Projects Stream, many eligible applications remain unfunded. Applicants with eligible proposals from the first round of RHI that have not yet received funding will be contacted directly with further details.
• The RHI takes a human rights-based approach to housing, serving people experiencing or at risk of homelessness and other vulnerable people under the NHS, including: women and children fleeing domestic violence, seniors, young adults, Indigenous peoples, people with disabilities, people experiencing mental health and addiction issues, veterans, LGBTQ2 individuals, racialized and Black Canadians, and recent immigrants or refugees.
• CMHC supports the government’s efforts to improve the well-being of Canadians facing housing and homelessness challenges caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Associated links:

• Rapid Housing Initiative  
• National Housing Strategy 
• New Rapid Housing Initiative to create up to 3,000 new homes for Canadians 
• Rapid Housing Initiative will exceed targets by creating more than 4,700 new homes for Canadians 
• Budget 2021: A Recovery Plan for Jobs, Growth, and Resilience 

As Canada’s authority on housing, CMHC contributes to the stability of the housing market and financial system, provides support for Canadians in housing need, and offers unbiased housing research and advice to all levels of Canadian government, consumers and the housing industry. CMHC’s aim is that by 2030, everyone in Canada has a home they can afford, and that meets their needs. For more information, follow us on Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, LinkedIn and Facebook.

Fire Chief Morgan Hackl and other fire officials will welcome the newest group of firefighter-paramedics to the Saskatoon Fire Department (SFD) at a private graduation ceremony this afternoon. The ceremony will recognize the successful completion of comprehensive training programs where 15 recruits will be presented with their badges and battalion assignments.

All 15 firefighter-paramedics have completed basic training in firefighting, technical rescue, hazardous material mitigation and fire inspections. They are also certified to the level of Primary Care Paramedic (PCP) and are licensed through the Saskatchewan College of Paramedics. Their training and experience have prepared them for operating effectively on high-hazard emergency scenes.    

"We hold a high standard of training at SFD. Our team of Fire Service Instructors has worked with these recruits over the past four weeks to review their firefighter and paramedic skills, and educate them on how they will apply these in their new role at the SFD,” says Anthony Tataryn, Assistant Chief of Staff Development and Safety. “Our fire department strives to be a leader in training as we recognize the vital importance that it plays in the safety of both our staff and residents.”

EMS incidents make up over 40 percent of SFD's response, making the recruits’ PCP certification a valuable asset to the fire service.

"When we seek new recruits, we look for individuals who will contribute to the overall success of our team," says Chief Hackl. "With the growing number of EMS calls in our city, it's important for our crews to be equipped with paramedic training. Having the added PCP certification means our firefighters can effectively respond to EMS incidents that occur in high-hazard situations.”

These firefighter-paramedics demonstrate the Saskatoon Fire Department’s commitment towards enhanced front-line emergency care and the investment that City Council continues to make in emergency services.

Chief Hackl adds, “We commend the hard work each recruit has put forward to reach this milestone and we’re thrilled to welcome these 15 individuals to the Saskatoon Fire Department.”

The new firefighter-paramedics will start their first shifts beginning Monday, July 25.

The City’s 2020 Report on Service, Savings and Sustainability (SSS Report) highlights how teams worked together, and apart, in 2020 to find new and improved ways to deliver services to residents during the pandemic while focusing on finding savings and reducing our impact on the environment.

“I am very proud of our City employees,” says Celene Anger, Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer. “Despite last year’s extraordinary circumstances, including a work-from-home directive impacting about 1,000 staff, they continued to find innovative ways to continue the safe delivery of essential core services to residents, maximize value for taxpayer dollars and minimize costs for the Corporation.”

“Even with the challenges of 2020, the City moved forward on several major projects including the approval of our Official Community Plan and nationally recognized Green Infrastructure Strategy,” Anger adds. “From making the switch to LED streetlights, adding GPS to our City fleet of vehicles, or the innovative ways found to administer the civic election during the pandemic - every efficiency gained and savings achieved are especially important within a year where COVID-19 greatly impacted our civic finances.”

 2020 SSS Report financial highlights include:

• An estimated $850K in operational savings were identified through a combination of one-time overall and annual savings.
• Saskatoon Land generated $43.7 million in sales and leasing revenues. Financial returns from Land Development operations stay in Saskatoon and are allocated for use in capital projects that would otherwise be funded through property taxes or borrowing.
• Grant funding approvals totaled $69.8 million through a combination of federal and provincial programs.

The annual SSS Report provides highlights to City Council and the community at large on the City’s previous year’s accomplishments related to our Strategic Goal of Continuous Improvement through improved service, increased savings and found efficiencies, and successful sustainability initiatives across civic operations.

The 2020 Report on Service, Savings and Sustainability report will be presented to the Governance and Priorities Committee of City Council today, Monday July 19.

A report directed by City Council to explore supports for Indigenous women and girls and two spirit people (IWG2S) recommends establishing an Independent Office of the Representative Matriarchs who will work with other matriarchs on creating an IWG2S Centre. The Matriarch or “Auntie” will assist IWG2S.

“She would act as aunties do,” says Melissa Cote, Director of Indigenous Initiatives. “Indigenous women, girls and two spirit people know they can go to an auntie with anything and an auntie will provide advice; they will advocate for them within the systems and challenge the system itself. They do their best to protect them and keep them safe.”

This work follows a July 29, 2019 resolution of City Council that the Administration review the Final Report of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and identify options for how the City of Saskatoon can respond to the Report’s Calls for Justice that are within the City’s jurisdiction, in a fashion similar to the existing review that has been undertaken for the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission.

In November 2020, the City created a Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and Two Spirit (MMIWG2S) Advisory Group comprised of an Elder and a number of organizations:

• Aboriginal Friendship Centres of Saskatchewan
• Iskwewuk Ewichiwitochik (Women Walking Together)
• Les Filles de Madelaine/CUMFI
• OUTSaskatoon
• Saskatoon Public Schools
• Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools
• Saskatoon Tribal Council
• Saskatchewan Health Authority
• Sixties Scoop Indigenous Society of Saskatchewan Inc.
• Saskatoon Police Service
• Saskatoon Public Library
• Saskatoon Fire Department
• Royal Canadian Mounted Police

The purpose of the Advisory Group was to assist in the selection of a consultant; share information and collaborate; and provide guidance and advice in the development of the report.

If approved by City Council, Cote says the Office of the Representative of the Matriarchs will ensure that IWG2S are connected to services that they need to be connected to, be there for IWG2S who are in trouble and provide guidance.

“But most of all, the Auntie will be there to let them know that they are loved and that they matter.”

Cote says the City will work with the Advisory Group and partners to determine the process for selecting a representative of the Aunties.

The report entitled “IWG2S Coming Home” was prepared by Hope Restored Canada; these consultants believe it is critical to acknowledge the role that Indigenous women have played in the past and that their experiences and knowledge be brought to the forefront for present and future actions. To capture this, they have chosen and used the term “matriarch” in this report. In Indigenous families, aunties often serve as an extra parent who provides advice and emotional support to relatives.

“So, these are the empowered leaders for families and community. They are the Indigenous women and two spirit people that are already advising all over the City on Indigenous issues – the ones that people go to for advice as counsellors, advisors, leaders and confidants.”

The Administration will present the study to the Governance and Priorities Committee of City Council on Monday July 19.

Based on an initial review, Administration will then bring forward options for operational and capital funding in the 2022-23 Business Plan and Budget to implement the recommendation and actions in the Final Report.

If implemented, the Centre will work with non-profit organizations, federal and provincial governments to coordinate services. The report offers possibilities such as:

• Coordination of services that work in tandem with City departments and other agencies offering services to IWG2S
• Indigenous search and rescue unit
• Centralized knowledge base and referrals
• Ceremony / Elders/ Matriarchs

Next steps will include an analysis of the Final Report submitted by Hope Restored Canada; a debrief with the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls and Two Spirit Advisory Group and Hope Restored Canada.  Following this, a communications, public education, and engagement plan will be developed.

“This report stresses we need to listen to the Aunties,” Cote says. “At a very basic level, every Indigenous woman, girl and two-spirited person needs safe spaces: a place to sleep; a bathroom to use in privacy; a kitchen in which to feed themselves and family. These are basic needs; a human right and an action people can get behind.”