News Releases

To increase safety and service, the Saskatoon Fire Department is taking steps to improve response times and coverage to the entire City. Implementation of the new model and relocation of Station No. 3, will deliver tax dollar savings of $6 million in capital costs and $2 million in annual operating costs.

“This is all about a safer community,” says Saskatoon Fire Chief, Morgan Hackl. “Part of the model proposes decommissioning the current No. 3 station located on Taylor Street and York Avenue and building a new station on Clarence Avenue South.

“This will provide coverage in the Stonebridge area neighbourhoods while maintaining the standards in the neighbourhoods currently served. We are now presenting the proposed plan to the communities located next to the new station.”

While also providing improved service, Chief Hackl stresses the plan will strengthen the neighbourhood. He says a new station would serve the community in a variety of ways.

“Our plans include community rooms with bookable space for the public and neighbouring church congregation. We also see it as a location for regular health and wellness initiatives, such as blood pressure or car seat clinics.”

As the department works toward national standards for response times, Chief Hackl and the Fire Department are also speaking with residents living in neighbourhoods bordering the current location of fire station No. 3.

“We are letting residents know that as the City grows we want to make emergency responses more efficient, and that requires re-evaluating station locations.

The safety of the entire community is a priority in the City’s strategic goal to improve the quality of life for citizens, and specifically the four-year priority to ensure that emergency response times for the Saskatoon Fire Department meet the needs of citizens.

The report will go to City Council on June 27, if passed at Monday’s Standing Policy Committee. If approved, it’s expected construction would begin in 2017.

The City of Saskatoon (City), in partnership with the Gordon Oakes Red Bear Student Centre at the University of Saskatchewan (U of S) and Fitness 2J2, is celebrating the success of Aboriginal students’ completion of the Aboriginal Fitness Preparatory Program.

Students from the program will be recognized at a graduation ceremony on Thursday, May 19, 2016, from 1 to 2 p.m. at the Gordon Oakes Student Centre, 5 Campus Drive.  There will be nine students recognized for their efforts in completing the preparatory program, who are now at various stages of completing the Aboriginal Fitness Certification Program.

With this new partnership and development of the preparatory course, these individuals are at a greater advantage point in successfully becoming fitness instructors.  The six-week pilot program was designed to provide candidates with mentorship as they work toward becoming fitness leaders.  The course focused on the theory portion of the program and included anatomy, physiology, nutrition, mentorship, and leadership.  Students also attended fitness classes at the City Leisure Centres to get exposure to the variety of class options and teaching methods.

Fitness 2J2 facilitated the pre-theory portion of the program held at Gordon Oakes Red Bear Student Centre, which prepared students for the written exam.  “Physical fitness empowers people, who in turn empower communities,” says Joel Pedersen, Owner of Fitness 2J2.

“It is critical that we collectively support our youth to be leaders in all facets of our society.  We must normalize indigenous participation and be open to the gifts they have to offer,” says Candace Wasacase-Lafferty, Director of Aboriginal Initiatives, U of S.

“The success of the pilot program is in thanks to the partnership of financial and human resources and fitness expertise,” says Kevin Kitchen, Community Development Manager, City of Saskatoon.

The City, Gordon Oakes Red Bear Student Centre, and Fitness 2J2 recognize the hard work and dedication of all program graduates and wishes them well in their future.

The City of Saskatoon, Office of the Treaty Commissioner, Saskatoon Tribal Council, Central Urban Metis Federation Inc., along with 29 supporting organizations, today launch a month-long series of events to promote Reconciliation in Saskatoon. The events are intended to engage and inspire citizens on what it means to reconcile and find their own personal call to action.

Saskatoon has committed to responding to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s (TRC) calls to action, beginning with a proclamation by City Council on June 22, 2015 declaring 2015/2016 the Year of Reconciliation.

The month-long schedule of activities will give Saskatoon residents an opportunity to:

• listen to the stories of survivors and their families,
• learn about our history, about residential schools, in a safe environment that is open and accessible to all,
• show-up to support events for Reconciliation, and
• share your personal response to the calls to action with friends and family using #ReconciliationSK.

The schedule culminates in a two-day celebration. On June 21, National Aboriginal Day is open to all who want to celebrate our Indigenous community, enjoy food, entertainment and education in Victoria Park. On June 22, a Day of Reconciliation begins with the "Rock Your Roots" Walk inviting everyone to celebrate and display their unique cultural heritage. BBQ and entertainment follow in Victoria Park.

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

Quotations

“The next month of events is an excellent example of how Saskatoon can work together to keep Reconciliation moving forward to future generations.  The organizations involved in these events are setting the foundation to the work we can all do together to improve our relationships and be all inclusive.”

• Felix Thomas, Chief, Saskatoon Tribal Council

“This Year of Reconciliation is part of a long journey. I am proud of our decades of economic success with Urban Commercial Reserves under the Treaty Land Entitlements. Now we need to take that formula for success and apply it to our social and cultural relationships to ensure that every citizen has a better understanding of Reconciliation and its importance in our community.” 

• Saskatoon Mayor Donald Atchison

“Reconciliation is a process of opening up our hearts to be inclusive of all cultures and religious beliefs. A process of understanding that we may be unique but can still live and work together in harmony. Our call to action paves the path for future generations.”     

• Shirley Isbister, President of the Central Urban Metis Federation Inc.

“Reconciliation is the restoration of a friendship after an estrangement. It does not require agreement on every aspect of how to live together. It is not an apology that has been accepted once offered. Rather, it is about the process of coming together—a conscious choice that the future will be better if we work through difficulties and differences with an openness to hearing about, and responding to, the harm that has occurred.”

• Past-Treaty Commissioner George Lafond

The City of Saskatoon’s commitment to the TRC’s calls to action supports the City’s Corporate Strategic Goal of Quality of Life by identifying actions for enhancing Aboriginal well-being and participation in our community.

From the May 16, 2016 Meeting

8.2.1 2016 Local Government Elections – Establishment of Polls and Polling Places

Decision

*A report will go forward to City Council recommending approval of the division of the City into polling areas and approval of the list of polling places.

Background

*The Local Government Election Act, 2015 and The Local Government Election Regulations, 2015 came into effect January 1, 2016. In accordance with the legislation, a number of decisions are required by City Council related to the holding of a municipal election. The report outlines recommended polling areas and places for the 2016 Local Government Election.

8.2.2 2016 Local Government Elections – Remuneration of Election Workers

Decision

*A report will go forward to City council recommending Council receive the information as set out in the report of the City Clerk.

Background

*The report outlines remuneration for election officials for the 2016 Local Government Elections.
*A review of the remuneration of election workers has been undertaken taking into consideration rates for Federal and Provincial Election workers as well as other cities in Saskatchewan. Remuneration is based on a daily rate and calculated hourly, where necessary.

8.2.3 Amendments to Bylaw No. 8491, The Campaign Disclosure and Spending Limits Bylaw, 2006

Decision

*A report will go forward to City council recommending Council consider the following amendments to The Campaign Disclosure and Spending Limits Bylaw, 2006:
1. To correct the equation used to calculate maximum allowable campaign expenses to: MCE=$0.75 x (IE ÷ IB) x P
2. To change the reference to June 1st of an election year for calculation of the CPI adjustment to March 1st of an election year.

Background

*The Bylaw was amended on April 25, 2016 by City Council and incorporated numerous changes recommended by The Saskatoon Municipal Review Commission. Upon review, further amendments are required to the Bylaw to properly implement these changes.

Building on public participation activities initiated in 2015 to Shape Our Financial Future, the City continues its commitment to create broad public awareness on the annual budget process. Citizen Budget goes live today at saskatoon.ca/financialfuture and will remain open until June 24, 2016.

This is the second year for Citizen Budget, the City’s educational and interactive online tool that invites residents to “Have Their Say!”. Citizen Budget asks residents if the City should spend more, spend less, or spend the same on a variety of key civic services. The public can experience the complexity of building a City budget – to see the trade-offs that need to be considered when increasing, decreasing or providing the same level of service. 

“We’re continuing to make strides toward measuring our successes. We hope to hear from even more residents this year by once again inviting them to participate in Citizen Budget, and in our annual budget planning process,” says Clae Hack, Director of Finance. “Saskatoon continues to grow, and that means the City must adapt to meet the ongoing needs and changing expectations of residents. Gathering public feedback about service level expectations is key.”

Aside from the online Citizen Budget tool, City staff will be ‘Taking It on the Road’, by visiting various locations around the city to meet with the public. With a goal to reach as many residents as possible, there will be a variety of budget public participation activities. Venues and dates will be announced shortly on saskatoon.ca/financialfuture. For those visiting City Hall, a Service Survey and Budget comment sheets are available in the main lobby to share views on service levels and provide comment on budget priorities for 2017.

“The public feedback we gather through Citizen Budget and our other engagement activities is valuable. Importantly, Administration and City Council will again review all public feedback and consider it prior to making key decisions for the 2017 Budget deliberation this December,” says Hack. “Other factors used for annual budgetary decision making include inflation, our growing population, Council priorities, service level changes and the City’s performance measures.” 

Citizen Budget, and other public engagement activities such as the Annual Civic Services Survey, align with all of the City of Saskatoon’s Strategic Goals. We invest in what matters most to residents; the services we provide are aligned with what citizens expect; when people are actively engaged in the future and governance of their city, and through conversation and working together, we move the city forward, together.

Visit saskatoon.ca/financialfuture today and plan to participate in Citizen Budget! An informative Budget video series is also found on the Shaping Our Financial Future web page.