News Releases

To protect the health and safety of bus riders, residents and employees, non-medical face masks are required when traveling on Saskatoon Transit beginning September 1; as an added safety measure to prevent the spread of COVID-19 in our community, masks are recommended, but not required, when accessing indoor City-operated facilities and services.

“Our community spirit is strong when we work as one community to keep our guard up,” says Anthony Tataryn, Assistant Fire Chief. “Even if you have no symptoms, wearing a cloth or disposable mask is an extra measure we can all take to protect others around us, particularly in situations where two metres physical distancing cannot be maintained.”

City Council approved the measure at its meeting Monday, August 31. The change will allow Saskatoon Transit to safely operate full-seated loads and meet demand on all fixed route and Access Transit buses.

“Fall means back to school and the resumption of some activities, so we’ve looked at how we can meet the increased demand for our services,” says James McDonald, Director of Saskatoon Transit. “With more people riding the bus, physical distancing is not always possible, so requiring the use of masks is the next step to protect the health and safety of our riders and our bus operators.”

“The City is in the process of reopening the remaining indoor leisure centres and revising the programs that are delivered in those facilities,” says Andrew Roberts, Director of Recreation and Community Development. “We have safety measures in place throughout our leisure centres to ensure the safety of both our employees and our customers and the use of masks is seen as an added precaution indoors where physical distancing may be difficult to keep at all times.”

If at any point in the future the Province provides direction related to mask use by the public the City would follow the Provincial lead. 

The City will focus on educating and informing the public of COVID-19 safety precautions and the use of non-medical face coverings as an additional safety precaution, rather than enforcement. 

For the latest updates on City services including a list of convenient online services, visit saskatoon.ca/covid-19. 

City Council yesterday approved amendments to Bylaw No. 8075, The Business License Bylaw, and Bylaw No. 8770, The Zoning Bylaw that update the regulations for short-term accommodations; hosts now must obtain a Commercial Business License, and abide by occupation limits among other regulations.

Short-term accommodations include vacation rentals, bed and breakfasts and AirBnBs. 

The amendments were proposed by the Administration following extensive engagement with the public, stakeholders and hotel industry. They establish development standards and licensing requirements for short-term accommodations to maintain the amenity and character of the areas they are located in, and minimize potential conflicts.

Highlights of the requirements include:

• Short-Term Rental Properties - rental property of the host:
  • Application requirements include obtaining a Commercial Business License, as well as submitting a Host Declaration Form, along with written permission of the property owner and/or condominium corporation (if applicable). Discretionary use approval (a form of public consultation) is required in low and medium density residential zoning districts.
  • Regulations include hosting a maximum of six guests in a dwelling and three guests in a secondary suite located within a dwelling. One hard surface parking space must be provided on-site for guests.
• Homestays - home of the host:
  • Application requirements include obtaining a Commercial Business License, as well as submitting a Host Declaration Form, along with written permission of the property owner and/or condominium corporation (if applicable).
  • Regulations include hosting a maximum of six guests in a one-unit dwelling, three guests in a secondary suite, and two guests in a duplex, townhouse, apartment or condominium. Two hard surface parking spaces must be provided on-site.

For more information on the bylaw amendments and the requirements for short-term accommodations, visit saskatoon.ca/shorttermstays.

Immigration is important to Canada’s economy and population growth. It is estimated that Canada needs 350,000 immigrants every year to meet its workforce needs. By 2035, 25 per cent of Canada’s population will be 65-years-old and above. In short, Canada will need more workers to support the economy. Our local and provincial economies plus the associated health of our communities in the years ahead depend on making Saskatoon and Saskatchewan a supportive and welcoming place for immigrant families.

To further this work, Immigration Partnership Saskatoon (IPS) is proud to be launching its “See Me As I Am/Be An Ally” campaign. The goals of the campaign are to increase awareness of how newcomers benefit Saskatoon, to build support and create understanding of newcomers as an integral part of an inclusive, diverse workforce and welcoming community.
  
Established in May 2017, IPS is a community collective that includes Saskatoon Settlement Sector agencies, the Government of Canada, Province of Saskatchewan, City of Saskatoon, the University of Saskatchewan, United Way of Saskatoon, Saskatoon Public School Division, Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools, Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce and others. The Partnership is developing a Newcomer Strategy and Action Plan to make Saskatoon more welcoming for newcomers and to improve accessibility to services.

“The “See Me As I Am/Be An Ally” campaign is a great example of what Saskatoon is all about - it’s a community-driven and community-focused project that builds connections and understanding. The messaging is powerful, and it serves as an important reminder to see beyond our differences and to reinforce the connections and ties that we share. When we are at our best as a city, we can serve as an example of what it means to be welcoming and inclusive,” says Charlie Clark, Mayor of Saskatoon.

“Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada is proud to partner with Saskatoon’s  campaign. Now, more than ever, Canadians need to unite around our common values of “See Me As I Am/Be An Ally” diversity and inclusion. I am pleased that Saskatonians are having this important dialogue, and I look forward to seeing what fruit this brings,” says the Honourable Marco Mendicino, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC).

“The Government of Saskatchewan is proud to be a part of Immigration Saskatoon Partnership and welcomes this exciting new campaign,” Immigration and Career Training Minister Jeremy Harrison said. “Efforts like this to support newcomers in their transition and integration into Saskatoon and across our great province will help those individuals and our communities achieve social, cultural, and economic success.”

The campaign includes the “See Me As I Am” and the “Be An Ally” videos. To learn more about how you can be an ally and to see the videos, visit the IPS website at https://ipsk.ca/.

The City in partnership with Dream Development today, unveiled the installation of a large-scale art piece in the Brighton neighbourhood.  Entitled “Coming Home”, Dream Development worked with Heavy Industries, Fort Architecture and Saskatoon-born designer, Landon Anholt, to create the sculpture which is intended to complement the natural environment and specifically the nearby wetlands. The sculpture is the largest private donation of public art in the City’s history.

“Public art adds vibrancy to a neighbourhood and helps to create a sense of belonging and pride in our community,” says Mayor Charlie Clark. “This piece, envisioned by a Saskatoon-born designer, reflects the natural beauty of the area and will become a centrepiece for the growing Brighton neighbourhood. My thanks to Dream Development for the unprecedented investment in public art and to all the City of Saskatoon staff and community partners for enriching the neighbourhood with this great project.”

According to Jayden Schmiess, Land Development Manager at Dream Development, the most unique feature of the piece is its perspective. 

“From most vantage points the piece will look like a cluster of bird houses suspended in the air or a neighborhood in the sky,” Schmiess says. “However, from the westbound lanes of Brighton Common, as you approach it, the individual elements come together to form the shape of a large bird in flight with outstretched wings.”

The Saskatoon Municipal Culture Plan includes specific strategies to facilitate cultural investments in Saskatoon neighbourhoods, with donations of public art facilitated through the City’s Policy No. C10-025, Public Art Policy. The commission and donation of “Coming Home” could potentially serve as a future model for the donation of public art by developers in new Saskatoon neighbourhoods.

The City thanks Dream Development for the generous donation of “Coming Home” to Saskatoon’s public art collection.

On Monday, August 24, the Governance & Priorities Committee will consider a report that addresses the use of non-medical face coverings by the public.

“COVID-19 is still a public emergency and according to public health experts, it will continue to impact City services and the community for months to come,” says Pamela Goulden-McLeod, Director of Emergency Management Organization. “At a local level, we continue to follow recommendations from the Government of Canada and the Provincial Government to minimize the risk of COVID-19 transmission using the hierarchy of controls. The hierarchy suggests that non-medical face coverings should be used when other controls such as staying at home, physical distancing, installing barriers, and altering services cannot be achieved.”

City Administration is recommending to Council that non-medical face masks be required when traveling on Saskatoon Transit beginning September 1 to allow Saskatoon Transit to safely operate full-seated loads and meet demand on all fixed route and Access Transit buses. The Administration is also recommending to Council that non-medical face masks are recommended, but not required, when accessing indoor City-operated facilities and services to protect the health and safety of residents and employees. Additionally, the report outlines implications and considerations in respect to a community-wide non-medical face masks bylaw.

“The health and well-being of our employees and residents continues to be our priority in putting these recommendations forward,” adds Goulden-McLeod. “By following the recommended safety precautions, and wearing a non-medical face mask indoors, we can continue to stop the spread of COVID-19 in our community and protect the health of our family, friends and neighbours.”

If at any point in the future the Province provides direction related to mask use by the public the City would follow the Provincial lead. 

If approved, the City will focus on educating and informing the public of COVID-19 safety precautions and the use of non-medical face coverings as an additional safety precaution, rather than enforcement. 

Residents can expect additional City facilities to open in the days and weeks ahead. For the latest updates on City services including a list of convenient online services, visit saskatoon.ca/covid-19.