News Releases

 

In honour of Cpl. Nathan Cirillo, who tragically lost his life in the line of duty today in Ottawa, the City of Saskatoon will lower the flags to half-mast.  

We extend our heartfelt condolences to Cpl. Cirillo’s family and to everyone in the Nation’s Capital. 

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Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, or our City Blog. Click on the links at www.saskatoon.ca. 

The Canadian Federation of Independent Business (CFIB) Report has just released their seventh annual ranking of Top Entrepreneurial Communities, and Saskatoon continues to possess the favourable entrepreneurial characteristics the CFIB scores that make a city stand out for their “business presence, policy, and perspective.”

Using fourteen specific indicators, the CFIB report assesses the degree to which cities (grouped by size) enable entrepreneurs and small businesses to start, grow and prosper their ventures.  High ranking entrepreneurial cities typically “have the presence of a high concentration of entrepreneurs, high business start-up rate, high level of optimism and success, and supportive local government tax and regulatory policies.”

Among centres with population of 150,000 or more, Saskatoon ranked third in Canada as an Overall Top-Ranked Entrepreneurial Major City in 2014, just behind Calgary and Edmonton.  Saskatoon was also ranked the number one city for Entrepreneurial Perspective – those cities that had the most upbeat business owners.  St. John’s and Regina ranked second and third.

Saskatoon also ranked third in the category of Entrepreneurial Policy, meaning these cities “tend to have the least distorted property tax systems measured by comparing the relative equity of commercial and residential property tax rates.”

According to Les Smith, City Assessor, these rankings align with the City’s strategic goal of Economic Diversity and Prosperity.

“We continue to create and support a business-friendly environment in Saskatoon, one that maintains fair and competitive tax rates for residential and business property taxes,” says Smith.  “Saskatoon’s tax regime has solid, clear and reasonable public policies.”

Large and small companies view Saskatoon as a great place to do business.  With a young population and median age of 35, strong manufacturing growth, a resource based economy and overall solid job growth, Saskatoon attracts entrepreneurs that want to start, grow, maintain and prosper their new venture.

“We are a city that celebrates and embraces an entrepreneurial spirit,” says Randy Grauer, General Manager of Community Services.  “To support this, we continue to create a business-friendly environment that focuses on our city and region’s competitive strengths; this is a key long-term strategy for the City.  We will continue to invest in the infrastructure needed to attract and support new businesses and skilled workers to the city.”

People from across the province, Canada and the world are drawn to Saskatoon for its quality of life, limitless opportunities and highly-skilled and educated workforce.  The City of Saskatoon works in partnership with economic development authorities, local businesses and educational institutions to promote and ensure Saskatoon is a great place to live, work and play.

NEW
UPDATE: AIRPORT DR NB & SB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANES CLOSED BETWEEN CLAYPOOL DR & THE AIRPORT
(Median widening)
45th Street W closed from Koyl Avenue to Airport Drive
Start: October 22, 7:00 a.m. End: November 7, 6:00 p.m.
3RD AVE NB LANES CLOSED FROM 21ST ST E TO 22ND ST E
(SL&P vault work)
Start: October 22, 9:00 a.m. End: October 22, 12:00 p.m.
CIRCLE DR SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM 8TH ST TO TAYLOR ST INCLUDING 8TH ST RAMP
(Crack sealing)
Start: October 22, 9:00 a.m. End: October 22, 3:00 p.m.
22ND ST W WB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED AT KENSINGTON BLVD
(New intersection)
Through traffic will be maintained in the median (inside) lane
Start: October 22, 10:30 a.m. End: October 25, 6:00 p.m.

OVERNIGHT: 22ND ST E EB & WB MEDIAN LANES CLOSED FROM 3RD AVE N TO 5TH AVE N
(Sanitary lining)
Start: October 22, 7:00 p.m. End: October 23, 7:00 a.m.
OVERNIGHT: SPADINA CRES NB & SB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANES CLOSED FROM 21ST ST TO 22ND ST
(Sanitary lining)
Start: October 22, 7:00 p.m. End: October 23, 7:00 a.m.
OVERNIGHT: 25TH ST & 2ND AVE INTERSECTION MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANE RESTRICTIONS
(Sanitary lining)
Start: October 22, 7:30 p.m. End: October 23, 7:00 a.m.
ONGOING
IDYLWYLD DR SB CURB (OUTSIDE) LANE CLOSED BETWEEN 25TH ST & 24TH ST
(Streetscaping)
Start: October 21, 9:00 a.m. End: October 22, 6:00 p.m.

IDYLWYLD DR N NB MEDIAN (INSIDE) LANE CLOSED FROM STANLEY PL TO MINTO PL
(Median Repair)
Restrictions reset daily
Start: October 21, 9:00 a.m. End: October 22, 4:00 p.m.
SASKATCHEWAN CRES WB CLOSED FROM MCPHERSON AVE TO IDYLWYLD CRES
(Rotary Park Construction)
Start: October 20, 10:30 a.m. End: November 3, 3:00 p.m.

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.

The City of Saskatoon has identified the need to improve cycling as part of a larger strategy to increase the attractiveness of and access to the downtown for residents, visitors, businesses, employers, and their employees.  A Protected Bike Lane Demonstration Project has been planned to achieve this goal.

The business community and general public are invited to attend and learn more about the 18-month downtown Protected Bike Lane Demonstration Project scheduled to begin May 2015, view detailed drawings, and have an opportunity to ask questions and provide feedback.  There are two opportunities to participate, and both will be facilitated by Doug Fast, Principal of Fast Consulting.

Downtown Protected Bike Lane Demonstration Project – Open House:
Tuesday, October 21, 2014
2 p.m. to 4 p.m. - Presentation and Open House for Businesses
5 p.m. to 8 p.m. - Presentation and Open House for the General Public
Le Relais Community Centre
103 - 308 4th Avenue North

More detailed information is available on www.shapingsaskatoon.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.

At a special meeting held today, City Council approved that there will be no charge for using transit for all citizens until October 31 and that all long-term pass holders will receive a refund or extension for the month of October. 

“For those customers with longer term transit passes, you will either receive a one-month extension or a refund depending on the type of pass you hold,” says Catherine Gryba, General Manager of Corporate Performance.  “Because there are a number of different kinds of long-term passes and different options depending on the pass you hold, we are asking pass holders to contact Saskatoon Transit,” says Gryba.

Longer term transit pass holders can call a Saskatoon Transit representative at (306) 975-3100, or visit the Customer Service Centre located at the Downtown Terminal on 23^rd Street to find out which option is available to them.

Transit pass holders who did not receive a refund for their September pass can now receive a one-month extension on their card.  Customers will need to visit the Customer Service Centre, located at the Downtown Terminal on 23^rd Street to get their card activated for the one-month extension.

“Everyone can ride the bus with no charge until October 31 to give you enough time to get your extension for the month of November or re-purchase your pass if you received a refund,” says Gryba.

U-Pass and Eco Pass holders should contact the administrators of their programs to learn about extensions or reimbursements.

“We invite all citizens to try out Transit with no charge until October 31, 2014,” says Gryba.  “We welcome back transit riders and look forward to getting Saskatoon on the move again.”

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.