News Releases

The City of Saskatoon has achieved ISO 37120 Platinum Certification from the World Council on City Data (WCCD) for its quality of data. This is the organization’s highest level of recognition.

This significant achievement was accomplished through Saskatoon’s participation in the nation-wide Data for Canadian Cities Pilot Project, supported by the Federal Ministry of Infrastructure and Communities, and implemented by the WCCD. The project’s goal is to increase data capacity in cities across the country, while helping to put data to use to improve city services and quality of life.  

"All communities, large and small, need good data to plan and build modern public infrastructure," says Canada’s Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, Catherine McKenna. "Meeting global data standards is critical. Through the Data for Canadian Cities Project, in partnership with the World Council on City Data, we've been helping municipal leaders in a number of communities across Canada do just that. I am delighted that the City of Saskatoon has obtained the ISO standard for municipal data. This will help the city plan projects with quality data and will help guide evidence-based decision-making. Canada's infrastructure plan invests in thousands of projects, creates jobs across the country and builds stronger communities."

City of Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark says: "For too long trying to compare programs and outcomes between cities has been like comparing apples and oranges because of different ways that data gets measured. Achieving Platinum Certification with WCCD opens the door to powerful new tools for us to better focus our planning, our budgeting, and learning from best practices in other cities to help our city succeed into the future."

WCCD President and CEO, Dr. Patricia McCarney says: "On behalf of the WCCD, we are very proud to welcome the City of Saskatoon into our global network of cities all dedicated to building high calibre and globally standardized data to drive informed and evidence-based decision-making. Working with Mayor Clark, City Council and staff over the past few years as part of the Data for Canadian Cities Project, supported by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Communities, has revealed an incredible commitment by the City of Saskatoon to harnessing data that will drive sustainability, prosperity, and a better future for all residents of Saskatoon. Achieving WCCD's ISO 37120 Platinum Certification is a real testament to this city-wide approach. On behalf of the entire WCCD team, we look forward to our continued work with you and to sharing stories of Saskatoon's successes – both in Canada and globally."

Preliminary data indicates that Saskatoon compares favourably with peer cities across a number of areas including ease of access to work, affordability, and supporting healthy citizens. Saskatoon’s performance in all categories will be released by WCCD later this year.

• When the Provincial Public Health Order on masks is lifted as of February 28 at 12:01 a.m., masks will continue to be required to access indoor City-operated facilities and services and when travelling on Saskatoon Transit. Facilities include City Hall, Leisure Centres, indoor arenas, golf course buildings, indoor spaces at the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo and the downtown Saskatoon Transit Customer Service Centre. City Council approved the action at its special meeting on February 8, 2022 to ensure the safety of staff and the public who are accessing City services. This will be continually reassessed.
• Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination or Negative Test is no longer required when attending City-operated facilities.

For the latest updates, visit saskatoon.ca/covid-19.

“In a year when people are feeling particularly cooped up and restless, getting outdoors and experiencing nature is a great way to relieve stress, get exercise, and lift spirits,” says Katie Burns, Sustainability Manager at the City of Saskatoon. “And while we certainly encourage outdoor activities, we, in partnership with Meewasin, have a few tips for ensuring that we are protecting our natural areas as well as our wildlife and their sensitive habitats.”

1. Stay on designated trails and paths when hiking, snowshoeing, skiing, or biking (snow is habitat for many creatures)
2. Stay away from naturalized ponds that are not designated for skating
3. ATVs, snowmobiles, dirt bikes and other motorized vehicles are not allowed in natural areas. If witnessed, please report to police communications at 306-975-8300.
4. Leave areas the way you find them. Don’t litter, dump, leave materials behind or remove any private property.

“Many regions of the Meewasin Valley contain significant ecosystems and habitat,” says Mike Velonas, Manager of Planning and Conservation at Meewasin. “Whether it’s prairie, forest, wetland, or river, many animals depend upon spaces like the Meewasin Northeast Swale, Saskatoon Natural Grasslands, and Beaver Creek Conservation Area to survive. While we encourage folks to explore and connect with nature, we ask you to remember these tips to help Meewasin conserve important habitat and protect biodiversity.”

For more information on how to safely enjoy outdoor activities please see the following resources:

• City of Saskatoon’s list of ponds designated for recreational use
• Water Security Agency of Saskatchewan’s  guidelines on ice thickness
• City of Saskatoon’s winter events & activities webpage

The Meewasin Valley Authority exists to ensure a healthy and vibrant river valley, with a balance between human use and conservation. To get involved or learn more, visit: meewasin.com

Mild temperatures over the past couple of days are creating deep ruts on some residential streets. City and contractor crews are shifting their focus to shaving down the deep ruts where people are getting stuck or there’s a risk of damage to vehicles.

Beginning this evening, graders will start to shave the top layers of ruts on residential streets with severe rutting and store the snow in the parking lane. Snow removal may only occur in areas where there is no room to store the snow.

“To open up these streets quickly for residents, we need to move fast,” says Terry Schmidt, General Manager of Construction and Transportation. “Colder temperatures are coming soon which will make grading harder for us.”

Grading will be done by neighbourhood starting on the streets where the ruts are at least 15 centimetres deep, making it challenging for smaller vehicles. We will go around parked cars but encourage people to move vehicles if there is off-street parking available.

On streets with heavy on-street parking that are too narrow for our equipment, we will post No Parking signs in advance and relocate vehicles left on the street.

The work will occur day and night and we hope to complete all severely rutted streets within the next two weeks. This may be extended if there is a snow event that requires some staff to address priority street grading.

While grader operators attempt to keep driveways unobstructed, short snow ridges may be left behind. The location may be inspected for clearing if it completely blocks a vehicle from accessing the driveway.

Starting tomorrow, regular updates will be provided on saskatoon.ca/snow with neighbourhood locations. Note that grading will accommodate garbage and recycling collection schedules. Thank you for your patience and leaving space for our operators and equipment to safely do their work.

The City identified the need for a permanent outdoor festival site to assist festivals and events with their programming while also protecting green infrastructure (trees and grass) from re-occurring damage. After an extensive feasibility study and stakeholder engagement, an Approval Report will be presented to the Governance and Priorities Committee at its meeting on Tuesday, February 16, 2021. The report articulates a vision for the future of hosting outdoor special events in Saskatoon, recommends a preferred site location and provides a functional concept plan for development of the area.

“Saskatoon is renowned for its festivals and events,” says Lynne Lacroix, General Manager of Community Services. “From music festivals to celebrations of local food and record-setting snowball fights, the amount, variety and scale of events in the city is important to the cultural, social and economic life of Saskatoon. Against the backdrop of the South Saskatchewan river, a permanent site will allow events four seasons of the year and provide event planners and the tourism industry stability in planning world-class events.”

The Approval Report includes:

• The technical and engagement processes that led to the preferred site selection;

• An extensive concept plan; and,

• Cost, risk and budgetary analysis.

Should Council approve the concept plan for the Permanent Downtown Festival Site, development of the full vision for the Site would need to be completed in phases. Phase 1, totaling $2 million, will be funded by the Municipal Economic Enhancement Program and construction will begin in Spring 2021.

“Phase 1 will provide us with a great site that will be a gathering place for Saskatoon,” says Lacroix. “The remaining phases can be constructed over time, pending future budget and funding considerations and approval.”

Further information, including the concept plan and engagement summary, is available on the City’s engagement website.