News Releases

The City of Saskatoon (City) and the University of Saskatchewan (USask) have developed a Climate Commitment and Call to Action with an aim to speed up the transition to a green community.

To formalize this pledge—which progresses the goals of a first-of-its-kind 2017 Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between a Canadian university and municipality—the Climate Commitment and Call to Action has been presented to the City’s Standing Policy Committee on Environment, Utilities and Corporate Services (EUCS) on Monday morning, Aug. 9, 2021.

“There are many co-benefits that can result from this strong partnership and project collaboration. The City, USask, Saskatoon residents and students can expect to benefit from lowered emissions and pollution and environmental protection which make the world around us healthier,” says Jeanna South, Director of Sustainability. “Equity and reconciliation are top priorities throughout this commitment, thus we also expect to see improvements in our relationships and quality of life.”

While both the City and USask have their own climate action plans, this additional commitment will provide common ground between the institution and municipality in order to make way for easier collaboration.

“We are excited to be taking this important step to further develop our relationship with the City on this urgent and accelerating policy challenge,” says Julian Demkiw, Senior Strategist for USask.

If approved by City Council, the first steps will involve sharing information on climate baselines and expanding student engagement. Further work will explore collaboration opportunities around equitable climate action on topics such as energy efficiency and biodiversity conservation.

Visit research.usask.ca/research-junction for more information on collaborations between the City of Saskatoon and the University of Saskatchewan.

In early March, the animal care staff observed Malcolm having difficulty walking and jumping. A physical exam was performed and arthritis was seen in his joints. Veterinarians had been treating his symptoms with medication to help ease the pain; however, this week his well-being declined significantly and the difficult decision was made to humanely euthanize him.

Malcom, who was considered geriatric, arrived at the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo in 2009 and made his permanent home at the Nutrien Ark.

“Malcolm was an amazing ambassador for his species,” said Jeff Mitchell, Zoo Manager. “In his 12 years at the Zoo, many people had the opportunity to learn more about cougars and we know everyone who had a chance to see him, cared about him as much as we did”.

Cougars have a life expectancy of 9-13 years and range from the north Yukon down to the Andes Mountains in South America. They are classified as Least Concern on the endangered species list but are considered endangered in several provinces in Canada.

The City of Saskatoon has a responsibility to provide clean drinking water to a growing population through an efficient and reliable water treatment and distribution system. Since it was established in 1906, Saskatoon’s Water Treatment Plant has been expanded to a treatment capacity of 250 million litres per day (MLD). The plant, along with reservoirs and pump stations, serve the city and several surrounding municipal and rural customers.

“We will continue to utilize and upgrade our current Water Treatment Plant and infrastructure for years to come, but we need to begin planning the development of a second plant to increase treatment capacity,” says Pamela Hamoline, Interim Director of Saskatoon Water. “A second plant would eventually bring our total treatment capacity to 450 ML per day, which is necessary for an expected population of 500,000 in the coming years.”

On Monday, the Water Treatment Long Term Capital Strategy will go before the City’s Standing Policy Committee on Environment, Utilities and Corporate Services. The report highlights the current and future steps needed to increase treatment capacity.

“Despite many successful water conservation efforts, as well as maintenance and upgrades over the years, it is unrealistic to depend on our 116-year-old Water Treatment Plant to keep up with future demand,” says Hamoline.

Hamoline says an internal Decision Quality Team is committed to ensuring the alignment of the City’s Strategic Goals in determining a treatment plant expansion strategy, including the goal of Environmental Leadership to reduce the City’s environmental footprint and promoting responsible use of resources.

“The team still has a lot of work to do and is currently exploring funding strategies so it can report the findings to City Council. That work will include looking into opportunities and partnerships with Federal and Provincial funding programs.”

The City has a draft Engagement Plan in the works as well, focusing on identifying major stakeholders and opportunities for proactive public communication.

For more information about the Water Treatment Plant, history, distribution system, and treatment process, visit saskatoon.ca/water.

With the concept and site design approved by City Council, construction is in full swing on Recovery Park. The facility, next to the landfill, will be Saskatoon’s one-stop point for easy, efficient, and cost-effective waste diversion.

“This project has been years in the making so it’s great to be at the stage where work is now happening on the site,” says Bryan Zerebeski, Senior Project Management Engineer, Technical Services. “The site has been cleaned up and cleared and soon we’ll get started on new weigh scales and new administrative and equipment storage buildings. The site will be landscaped and when Recovery Park opens in 2023, Saskatoon will experience a very easy and well-organized facility for waste and recycling.”

A new road into the Recovery Park site has already been built and will open on August 9, 2021. Visitors will still access the landfill off Valley Road but will be directed onto the new road while the existing one is decommissioned.

Recovery Park was designed to improve recycling options at the landfill and provide space to develop future diversion opportunities. The materials being considered for acceptance include:

• mixed metals
• appliances
• construction and demolition waste
• rigid plastics
• household hazardous waste
• bicycles
• used oil and antifreeze
• elm wood

Right now, the City diverts 24 per cent of its garbage from the landfill. With Recovery Park, curbside organics and the Industrial, Commercial and Institutional Regulation all launching in 2023, the waste diversion rate is projected to increase to 41-54 per cent.

Under the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program, the Government of Canada will fund up to $7.8 million toward the Recovery Park project and the Government of Saskatchewan will contribute up to $6,499,350. The City of Saskatoon will fund the remainder of the $37.5 million project and any additional costs.

For more information on Recovery Park and to see the facility layout, visit saskatoon.ca/recoverypark.