News Releases

This year, Fire Prevention Week runs from October 7^th to October 13^th. The Saskatoon Fire Department will be sharing information each day of the week related to fire safety and prevention.

The National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) has made this year’s Fire Prevention Week’s theme Look. Listen. Learn. Be aware. Fire can happen anywhere. This theme focuses on the importance of education in three simple areas of fire safety and prevention.

LOOK!

• It’s important to look for places that a fire could start in your home.

LISTEN!

• Do you know what your smoke alarm sounds like? Be sure to familiarize yourself with the sound of your smoke alarm so that you are aware in the event of an emergency.

LEARN!

• Are you able to find two ways out of each room? Check to make sure all doors and windows are clear and can be easily accessed.

When an emergency occurs, every second counts. Educating yourself on fire safety and prevention could prevent tragedy in your home. This week, the Saskatoon Fire Department will be sharing fire safety and prevention information on:

1. Smoke Alarms,
2. Home Escape Plans,
3. Heating Safety, and
4. Cooking Safety

Find additional resources and information from the NFPA on Fire Prevention Week here!

Always remember: Look. Listen. Learn. Be aware. Fire can happen anywhere.

In an emergency, call 911 immediately.

As part of WintercityYXE, $50,000 is allocated to non-profit organizations, ad hoc groups, businesses or for-profit organizations implementing initiatives that support the WintercityYXE goals and objectives. The WintercityYXE grant categories include: winter comfort and access, winter design, and winter activities.

The City is pleased to announce that the following groups have been awarded grants for their WintercityYXE 2018/19 initiatives:

• Broadway Business Improvement District – Little Stone Light Conservatory
• Shakespeare on the Saskatchewan – Honouring the Complexity of Treaty 6 Territory
• Friends of the Broadway Theatre – Winterruption
• Saskatoon Triathlon Club – Winter Family Friendly Triathlon
• Saskatoon Cycles – BicicleFest 2019
• King George Community Association - King George Winter Carnival
• Wanuskewin Heritage Park – Kona Festival
• Greystone Heights Community Association – Winter Fun Fest
• Play Sask – Yukigassen Tournament
• Saskatoon Open Door Society – S is for Snow Series
• Saskatoon Council on Aging – Warm up to Winter

“The WintercityYXE grant program supports community led initiatives that help make winter an enjoyable and vibrant season” said Brenda Wallace, Director of Environmental & Corporate Performance.

Full information on the grant program, can be found on the newly redesigned WintercityYXE Webpage. Along with the grant program, the webpage also includes information on the WinterCityYXE Strategy, winter events, and winter facilities & activities.

The WinterCityYXE Strategy supports the Strategic Goal of Quality of Life, Sustainable Growth, Moving Around and Economic Diversity and Prosperity

Today, the City of Saskatoon celebrates the completion of its largest-ever bridge-building project with the community invited to participate.

The three orders of government funded the $238.8 million Bridging to Tomorrow Project which includes Chief Mistawasis Bridge, McOrmond Drive and Central Avenue extensions, and the Traffic Bridge. The Government of Canada is contributing up to 25 per cent of eligible costs, the Government of Saskatchewan is contributing $50 million toward the Chief Mistawasis Bridge, and the City is funding the remainder.

“The Bridging to Tomorrow Project is a great example of what can be achieved through strong partnerships between all levels of government,” said the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness. “This new infrastructure is an essential addition to Saskatoon’s transportation network that will greatly improve commuter connections among key parts of the city. It will not only help get people and goods where they need to go safely and efficiently, but reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support economic growth for years to come.”

“The provincial government’s $50 million investment in Chief Mistawasis Bridge demonstrates our commitment to ensuring Saskatoon remains one of the fastest growing cities in Canada and continues to offer a good quality of life for all citizens. The new bridge will improve traffic flow for commuters and ease congestion for shippers. Congratulations to everyone involved in the successful completion of the project,” said the Honourable Scott Moe, Premier of Saskatchewan.

“The opening of these two new bridges is a huge step forward in creating a more connected community,” said His Worship Charlie Clark, Mayor of Saskatoon. “Both of these bridges are very significant for our city. The Chief Mistawasis Bridge is a key element for our future growth and success, and the naming of the bridge was a journey itself toward living up to the calls to action of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada. The Traffic Bridge reconnects a historic link between the two sides of the river for vehicles, pedestrians and cyclists alike. I would like to thank the federal and provincial governments for their funding that helped to make this happen in our community.”

“The Bridging to Tomorrow project was an investment in the future of our city for the benefit of everyone,” said Jeff Jorgenson, City Manager. “Our plans for growth are founded in sustaining a great quality of life for Saskatoon residents. These projects are foundational infrastructure improvements that help us create a city that is vibrant and attractive to citizens today and for future generations.”  

Chief Mistawasis Bridge opening celebrations included a grand entry with local Indigenous leaders, dignitaries, elders, survivors and students, and an opportunity for visitors to explore the bridge deck.

“The naming of Chief Mistawasis Bridge provides a lasting legacy of hope and reconciliation for the community and a source of great pride for our children and generations to come,” said Anthony Blair Dreaver Johnston, University of Saskatchewan School of Environment and Sustainability Indigenous Mentor and great-great-great grandson of Chief Mistawasis.

For the Traffic Bridge opening, a community bridge party will feature a variety of cultural entertainment, food trucks and a bridge and project history display.

“We’re pleased to be a partner in the development of this historic infrastructure project, and look forward to continuing our long-term relationship as a valued service provider to the City of Saskatoon,” said Grant Beck, CEO, Graham Commuter Partners.

The Chief Mistawasis Bridge will open to traffic later in the day on Tuesday, October 2.  The Traffic Bridge will open to traffic on Wednesday, October 3.

To commemorate the project, a detailed video showcasing the Bridging to Tomorrow project, and the construction of the bridges and roadways is available at saskatoon.ca/bridging. 

The City is ready to move traffic onto the new interchange at Boychuk Drive and Highway 16. Moving traffic onto the structure is necessary in order to remove detour roads and complete ramps.

“We will open the interchange at Boychuk Drive and Highway 16 on Sunday, September 30,” says Bryan Zerebeski, the City’s manager for the project. “This will alleviate congestion, and while the interchange is functional and operational a 60 km/h speed limit will stay in place as there is still some other work that continues.”

The traffic pattern change at Boychuk Drive and Highway 16 will be as follows (see gif).

• All eastbound and westbound traffic exiting Highway 16 onto Boychuk Drive and Rural Road 3050: stay in the right lane, go under the overpass and follow the loop to go north or south.
• All northbound traffic on Rural Road 3050: continue to use the intersection to turn left onto Highway 16.

The Saskatoon Interchange Project began in April of 2017 and also includes a new interchange at McOrmond Drive and College Drive. Traffic will move onto the McOrmond Drive and College Drive interchange sometime over the next couple of weeks as this interchange becomes operational and functional.

The Government of Canada and Government of Saskatchewan each contributed up to $10,960,885 to the Boychuk Drive and Highway 16 Interchange through the Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component – National and Regional Projects. Surrounding developers are funding 100 per cent of the McOrmond Drive and College Drive interchange.

Drivers are reminded that the speed limit through both interchange work zones is 60 km/h. Visit saskatoon.ca/interchanges for more information.

The City of Saskatoon in partnership with Reconciliation Saskatoon invites residents to wear an orange t-shirt or clothing item on September 30 and get involved in a number of community activities planned on the day.

“As a survivor of the residential school system, Orange Shirt Day is extremely significant for me as it shines light on the impact of the Indian residential school system not just to the thousands of children taken from their homes, but to their families and descendants who are still recovering from the devastating impacts today,” says Neal Kewistep, Executive-in-Residence, Johnson Shoyama Graduate School of Public Policy, University of Saskatchewan. 

“We need to listen to and respect the voices of the survivors who are willing to speak up about their experiences and keep working together as a community towards answering the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s (TRC) Calls to Action,” says Kewistep.

A free indoor community pancake breakfast will be held at 10 a.m. at the Western Development Museum, which will include a speaker program, music and entertainment. A moment of silence will be held to honour the survivors, their descendants and those that lost their lives.

“It’s been great to see Orange Shirt Day growing in momentum every year, both here in Saskatoon and across Canada,” says Central Urban Métis Federation Inc. President Shirley Isbister.

“Reconciliation Saskatoon, along with our main sponsors Saskatoon Community Foundation and Nutrien, are proud to support this day and bring the community together to raise awareness of the terrible impact of Indian residential schools on generations of children, and to honour the survivors and their families,” says Isbister.

The event coincides with Métis Cultural Days celebrating 25 years of community, which includes music and entertainment for the family, an interfaith service and a gospel jamboree featuring musician, singer and country music artist Donny Parenteau. For more information, visit cumfi.org.

Prior to the breakfast, residents can also join the EY River Classic Run and wear orange to honour survivors with a 10K, 5K or 2K Run. Orange shirts are available to purchase online. Register at raceroster.com and search for “EY Classic”.

Reconciliation Saskatoon is an 88-member initiative of community organizations, non-profit organizations, businesses and partners who have come together to initiate a citywide conversation about reconciliation and provide opportunities for everyone to engage in the TRC’s Calls to Action.

Orange Shirt Day was officially recognized in 2016 by the Saskatchewan School Boards Association. Schools and businesses across Saskatoon will participate by running educational activities in the weeks leading up to September 30.

The City of Saskatoon’s commitment to the TRC’s Calls to Action supports the City’s strategic goal of Quality of Life by identifying actions for enhancing Aboriginal residents’ well-being and participation in our community.