News Releases

The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, and the Honourable Jim Reiter, Minister of Government Relations for Saskatchewan, today announced funding for a new interchange at Boychuk Drive and Highway 16 in Saskatoon. His Worship Donald J. Atchison, Mayor of Saskatoon, also participated in the announcement.

One of the City of Saskatoon’s top transportation priorities, this project includes the construction of a new Eastbound left-turn loop to replace the eastbound left turn lane on Highway 16 at Boychuk Drive, aimed at resolving safety and traffic flow issues at this busy intersection. Additionally, the work will involve the addition of accessible pedestrian and cyclist facilities, which will make the area safer for cyclists and pedestrians. As the City’s growth continues, the new interchange will also provide more capacity to handle an increased volume of traffic.

The governments of Canada and Saskatchewan are each contributing up to $14,730,392 to this project through the Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component – National and Regional Projects (PTIC-NRP), with the City of Saskatoon covering the remainder of the estimated $45,180,000 total project cost.

For more information about the interchange project, please visit saskatoon.ca/boychukinterchange

Quotes

“Traffic congestion and gridlock costs Canada’s economy billions of dollars in lost productivity each year, damages our environment, and makes it harder for people to get to work and for families to spend time together. This new interchange will improve traffic flow in the area and increase safety for drivers, cyclists and pedestrians alike.”

The Honourable Amarjeet Sohi, Minister of Infrastructure and Communities

“Our government is proud to have invested more than $14 million toward this project that will help improve traffic flow for the City of Saskatoon’s road system. Projects like this help keep Saskatchewan strong by encouraging local economic growth, while also making travel safer and more convenient for the people of Saskatoon.”

The Honourable Jim Reiter, Minister of Government Relations

“Safety and security in our community is a top priority. Everyone should be safe traveling our roadways to work and going home to their families. I believe the new Boychuk Drive Highway 16 interchange will save lives. I want to thank the Government of Canada and the Government of Saskatchewan for their partnership on this project and their commitment to the new Saskatoon.”

Donald J. Atchison, Mayor of Saskatoon

Associated links

To learn more about Canada’s new infrastructure plan: www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/index-eng.html

To learn more about the Provincial-Territorial Infrastructure Component – National and Regional Projects (PTIC-NRP): www.infrastructure.gc.ca/plan/nrp-pnr-prog-eng.html 

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.