News Releases

All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Slow down, pay attention and respect work zones. Watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

Know before you go! Plan your route around road work by checking our Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map. Find traffic detour information on our saskatoon.ca homepage or subscribe to our Traffic Detour Service Alerts. You can also follow us on Twitter @YXEServiceAlert and with #betterroadsYXE and like Saskatoon City News on Facebook.

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The City of Saskatoon (City) is advising the public that coyote sightings have increased at various locations throughout the city. The City reminds people to keep their distance from coyotes and all wildlife as they can be unpredictable when confronted.
If you have any questions or concerns regarding coyotes or other wildlife within the city of Saskatoon, please contact Parks Pest Management at 306-975-3300. If there is an emergency, please contact Saskatoon Police Service at 306-975-8300.
Here is what to do if you have a close encounter with a coyote:

•  Never approach the animal;
•  Look for a way out;
•  Be observant of the coyote’s movement;
•  Act assertive, yell, and wave your arms so that coyotes maintain a healthy respect for humans; and
•  Ensure the animal has an escape route and enough space to flee the situation.
  Rapid expansion of the city and the design of larger green spaces has resulted in more coyote sightings in Saskatoon. Coyotes are common in all major municipalities across Canada and are more commonly seen in the winter. Coyotes can be seen in residential and commercial areas, especially if food and shelter are readily available.

Here are some tips to help avoid a coyote encounter in your yard:

• Never feed coyotes or leave food waste in accessible areas;
• Do not put meat, eggs, or dairy in compost bins;
• Seal off access to decks and other sheltered spaces in your yard;
• If you feed your pets outdoors, bring the food in at night; and
• Close the gate to your yard and make sure fencing is in good condition.

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.

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Saskatoon City Council has recently made possible the final step in creating Saskatoon’s newest Business Improvement District (BID), which includes both sides of 33rd Street from Alberta Avenue to Avenue G. 

“We are tremendously excited about establishing a BID for 33rd Street.  The business owners in this area have worked very hard to achieve this goal, and it has now become a reality.  We couldn't be more pleased with Council’s decision,” says Nicola Tabb, representing the 33rd Street BID Organizing Committee.

At its November 24, 2014 meeting, City Council approved Bylaw No. 9235 – The 33rd Street Business Improvement District Bylaw, 2014.  A BID is an area of commercial and industrial property owners and tenants who work in partnership to create a thriving and competitive business area.

Over the past two years, a group of dedicated business owners on 33rd Street have worked toward organizing a BID, which is made up of a variety of unique businesses such as restaurants, shops, services, and a major grocery store.  The business group saw the potential in forming a BID to improve and enhance the appeal and viability of the district now and into the future.

“The creation of a BID benefits not only the 33rd Street commercial district, but the city overall,” says Alan Wallace, Director of the City of Saskatoon Planning and Development Division.  “The success of other BIDs in Saskatoon has directly resulted in thriving, attractive areas where residents and visitors alike can come to work, shop, and play.  The 33rd Street BID will certainly create the same positive impact for their commercial area.”

The 33rd Street BID will begin operations in 2015.

For more information regarding BIDs in Saskatoon, visit www.saskatoon.ca (look under “B” for Business Improvement Districts).

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.

For Release: November 25, 2014

Over 1,000 programs and services have been compiled and listed following a recent environmental scan of Saskatoon’s Aboriginal community. The Kitaskinaw project, released today, is a partnership between the City of Saskatoon, Saskatoon Tribal Council, United Way of Saskatoon & Area, and the Gabriel Dumont Institute of Native Studies and Applied Research. The report includes feedback from Saskatoon’s Aboriginal community about the comprehensive inventory of programs and services currently accessed.

“This is a solid and reliable resource,” says Saskatoon City Manager, Murray Totland. “Knowledge of the overlaps and gaps that have been identified through community feedback is essential when it comes to policy development regarding Aboriginal service delivery in our city.”

Through a Community workshop, an old people’s gathering, and a user survey, participants indicated cultural awareness and sensitivity are the most important qualities to have in an agency that serves Aboriginal people.

“The Kitaskinaw project is an important step in the delivery of services for citizens,” says Saskatoon Tribal Chief, Felix Thomas. “This is especially true for the First Nations population and the need for the delivery of effective, meaningful services to individuals and families.”

The report also highlights the need for mainstream organizations to be inclusive of Aboriginal people as employees within their organizations in order to build culturally competent service delivery.

“This important report, which includes the voices of those seeking service and help in our community, will influence how we work at the United Way,” says Saskatoon United Way Chair, Lea Pennock. “It will move us forward as an organization on our journey towards authentic engagement with Aboriginal Peoples in our community.”

Information gathered for Kitaskinaw, which means “our land” in the plains Cree language, will assist corporate, academic and political organizations make informed decisions.

“This project is the first of its kind for Saskatoon,” says Gabriel Dumont Institute Executive Director, Geordy McCaffrey. “With community voice, the inventory of programs and services, and the gathering of existing community information, the links between program and service delivery across Saskatoon may be better understood.”

Technical Committee

City of Saskatoon
Saskatoon Tribal Council
United Way of Saskatoon & Area
Gabriel Dumont Institute of Native Studies and Applied Research

Advisory Committee

Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada
Central Urban Metis Federation Inc. (CUMFI)
Saskatoon Indian and Metis Friendship Centre
University of Saskatchewan
Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools
Saskatoon Public Schools
YMCA
Saskatoon Health Region

Kitaskinaw will be available on the following partner websites in mid-December: saskatoon.ca, sktc.sk.ca, unitedwaysaskatoon.ca, and gdins.org.

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.

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Growing Forward! Shaping Saskatoon invites residents to attend one of four upcoming public engagement events to discuss possibilities for shaping Saskatoon’s Growth Plan to Half a Million (Growth Plan).  The Growth Plan is being developed to help guide future infrastructure investments in areas like corridor redevelopment, transit, and core area bridges so residents will have more choices for how they live and move around the city as Saskatoon grows.
Main Event – Growth Plan Workshops
Wednesday, November 26, 2014
10 a.m. to 1 p.m. and 6 p.m. to 9 p.m.
TCU Place (Salons A and B), 35 - 22nd Street East
Presentations will begin at 10:15 a.m. and 6:15 p.m., with revolving workshops to follow every half hour to discuss possibilities for corridor redevelopment, transit, and core area bridges.  You may choose to participate in one or all of the workshop topics.

Growth Plan Information Session:
Monday, December 1, 2014
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Cliff Wright Branch Library, 1635 McKercher Drive
Presentation will begin at 6:15 p.m., followed by facilitated question and answer period.

Thursday, December 4, 2014
6 p.m. to 8 p.m.
Cosmo Civic Centre, 3130 Laurier Drive
Presentation will begin at 6:15 p.m., followed by facilitated question and answer period.
Event materials and information are also available online at www.growingfwd.ca, along with an opportunity to submit comments.  You can also join the discussion on Twitter as we live-tweet the November 26, 2014 event – just follow the City of Saskatoon on Twitter or use the hashtag #yxegrowingfwd.
Public consultation will be ongoing throughout the development of the Growth Plan.  Those interested can sign up for project update notifications at www.growingfwd.ca.

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours, and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.