News Releases

The City continues to replace the water and sewer lines in two of Saskatoon’s oldest neighbourhoods. This year, the priority is the City Park and Riversdale neighbourhoods where work has been underway for a few weeks.

“The water and sewer lines in these neighbourhoods are about 100 years old,” says Matt Jurkiewicz (yurr-KEV’-ich), Interim Director, Construction and Design. “The replacement projects include upgrading the pipes and also replacing the lead connections to homes that are also outdated.”

Work began in the City Park neighbourhood during the 2018 construction season. In Riversdale, this is the first of a two-year water and sewer upgrade. Phasing the work over a few construction seasons ensures the work is not spread across the entire neighbourhood at once, containing most of the construction to one area at a time.

“We appreciate the cooperation and patience of residents affected by the work, which once complete, will have several benefits,” Jurkiewicz says “They’ll experience improved water pressure once the new lines are in and water main breaks will be less likely during the winter.”

Other benefits include the restoration of streets where work is taking place, resulting in new driving surfaces and in some locations, new or rehabilitated sidewalks.

Earlier this year, the City’s Construction and Design team held open houses in both neighbourhoods and regularly distributes project updates to affected residents to outline the latest project details and timelines. Information is also available online at Saskatoon.ca/watermain.

The 2019 portion of water and sewer infrastructure upgrades in City Park and Riversdale is expected to wrap up by the end of October or before the first significant snowfall.

At its meeting today, City Council approved Bylaw No. 9572, The Traffic Amendment Bylaw, 2019 that increases the city-wide on-street parking limit from 36 hours to 72 hours, except as otherwise indicated by a sign or provided for in the bylaw.

This Amendment does not change the requirements for recreational vehicles or parking restrictions for street maintenance.  Recreational vehicles will continue to have a 36-hour restriction and then must not park on a city street for at least 48 hours.

Parking restrictions for street maintenance will continue to be marked with signs posted 36 hours in advance of street sweeping, construction, snow clearing and other similar activities. 

For more information on Parking in Saskatoon, please visit saskatoon.ca/parking. 

Investing in local water and wastewater systems is key to improving people’s quality of life, protecting waterways and positioning communities for growth.

Today, Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness, on behalf of François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and Saskatoon Westview MLA David Buckingham on behalf of Saskatchewan Government Relations Minister Warren Kaeding, announced funding for three new water and wastewater projects in the province.

In Saskatoon, drinking water storage capacity will be increased and a wastewater treatment plant will be upgraded.  In west-central Saskatchewan, a water distribution system will be created in the Rural Municipality (RM) of Snipe Lake and the RM of Newcombe, which includes upgrading the water treatment plant in Eston.

The Government of Canada and the Government of Saskatchewan are each contributing more than $30.4 million to the three projects through the New Building Canada Fund.  Recipients are responsible for remaining costs.

“Modern efficient water and wastewater infrastructure is essential to safeguarding the well-being of our families and building the Canada we want for tomorrow,” said Goodale.  “By investing in projects such as these in Saskatchewan, we are helping close the gaps in services and ensuring everyone has access to safe reliable drinking water for years to come.”

“The Government of Saskatchewan is proud to be investing more than $30.4 million toward these three projects in our province,” Buckingham said.  “These will help position these communities for growth, enhance their key infrastructure, and improve the quality of life.”

“We’re investing in critical infrastructure we need to serve new communities and continue to provide reliable and safe water and wastewater services,” City of Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark said.  “Thank you to our federal and provincial partners for investing with us for a sustainable future.”

“We are very appreciative of the support this project has received from the federal and provincial governments,” RM of Snipe Lake Reeve and Chair of the Rural 44 Water Pipeline Utility Bill Owens said.  “Their contributions allow us to provide a safe, secure and sustainable water supply for rural and urban residents.”

Quick facts:

• Budget 2019, Investing in the middle class, is the Government of Canada’s plan to create more good well-paying jobs, put homeownership within reach of more Canadians, help working people get the training they need to succeed, support seniors, and lay the foundation for national pharmacare.
• Announcements in Budget 2019 build on the government’s Investing in Canada Plan, under which the government is investing more than $180 billion over 12 years to build infrastructure in communities across the country.
• $26.9 billion of this funding is supporting green infrastructure projects, including $5 billion available for investment through the Canada Infrastructure Bank.
• Since 2016, the Government of Canada has approved close to 180 new water and wastewater projects across Saskatchewan.
• With many municipalities across Canada facing serious infrastructure deficits, Budget 2019 proposes a one-time transfer of $2.2 billion through the federal Gas Tax Fund to address short-term priorities in municipalities and First Nations communities.

Associated links:

• Budget 2019: https://www.budget.gc.ca/2019/home-accueil-en.html 
• Investing in Canada Plan Project Map: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/map 
• Federal infrastructure investments in Saskatchewan: https://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/investments-2002-investissements/sk-eng.html 
• Investing in Canada: Canada’s Long-Term Infrastructure Plan: http://www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/icp-publication-pic-eng.html

The City of Saskatoon, Métis Nation - Saskatchewan and Saskatoon Tribal Council, along with the 98 business and community organization members of Reconciliation Saskatoon gathered in Civic Square outside City Hall today to raise the Reconciliation flag. In honour of the warriors who endured the residential school era, the ceremony also remembers all those affected by the Sixties Scoop, Day Schools, and Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls.

“This year’s theme is Re-Igniting the Fire. We celebrate diversity, inclusion, and reconciliation as we move towards the future,” said Glen McCallum, President, Métis Nation – Saskatchewan. “This is our opportunity, Indigenous and non-Indigenous people, to come together, walk together and our commitment to making change and having a better quality of life for our children.”

The Reconciliation Saskatoon movement has grown to 98 member organizations since the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada issued 94 Calls to Action in June 2015. The aim of the group is to support a community conversation about the process of Canadian reconciliation and to educate residents to engage in calls to action.

“I am willing to stand with anybody that wants to make a difference in people’s lives,” says Mark Arcand, Tribal Chief, Saskatoon Tribal Council. “As we are all Treaty people we must continue to work together to build partnerships and relationships to benefit all people of Saskatoon, Saskatchewan and across the country so all people can have a quality of life.”

“With the guidance of Elders and Survivors and the commitment of a hundred different non-profits, businesses, and institutions, Saskatoon is charting a path forward toward reconciliation,” said Mayor Charlie Clark. “This is important work that we need to do in order to live up to the spirit of Treaty and the Calls to Action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, and it is remarkable to witness and be a part of the progress we are collectively making. Ultimately, we are a stronger community because of the relationships that are being built and the groundwork that is being laid for the future of our city.”

Upcoming reconciliation events in Saskatoon include The Two Twenty: Lunch 'n Learn on INDIGENOUS PARTNERSHIPS, Wednesday, June 12 (Carrie: 306-241-6297 for more information) and the fourth annual “Rock Your Roots” Walk for Reconciliation along with National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations on Friday, June 21. Events are made possible through the generosity of community partners, including Saskatoon Community Foundation and Nutrien.

In 2015, Saskatoon committed to responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s calls to action, with a proclamation by City Council on June 22, declaring 2015-16 the Year of Reconciliation. In addition, the City committed to working with the Office of the Treaty Commissioner and other community groups, leaders and institutions in Saskatchewan, to promote reconciliation in our province.

For more information on events, or to have your reconciliation event added to the calendar, please visit OTC.ca.