News Releases

Saskatoon Transit has received the prestigious 2023 Smart Cities Award for its partnership with Preteckt, an Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology company, to enhance Transit’s bus maintenance operations. The award recognizes Saskatoon Transit’s innovative use of Preteckt’s AI-powered predictive maintenance with its bus operations.

“We want to provide better reliability with even safer vehicles on the road,” says Tracey Davis, Saskatoon Transit Maintenance Manager. “This technology works with our existing systems at Saskatoon Transit and is a great application of AI to bus maintenance. This technology developed by Preteckt detects issues in buses before they become critical interruptions to service and empowers our technicians to make these repairs earlier than currently possible. We noticed immediate benefits, like reductions in parts and labour costs, which will become part of our regular maintenance practices.”

“Being the first city fleet in Canada to source our technology through a competitive process means a lot to us, and we’re looking forward to working with more fleets and cities in Canada,” says Krish Inbarajan, CEO of Preteckt. Inbarajan congratulated Saskatoon Transit on its leadership in incorporating AI technology into its maintenance operation.

Preteckt’s expansion into transit authorities across North America has been successful, with 10 commercial contracts and several pilots already underway. The company’s AI technology sifts through billions of data points from vehicles to identify or flag potential maintenance issues.

The Saskatoon Transit – Preteckt partnership highlights integration of advanced technology and will be essential to providing reliable, safe, and efficient transportation services.

About Preteckt

Preteckt is a Hamilton-founded, Memphis-based AI company focused on maintenance to increase vehicle availability, improve safety, and reduce costs to support maintenance staff and enable the future of work. The technology was initially developed for trucking but has since expanded to serve other fleets such as transit and school buses. Preteckt supports existing gas and diesel engines and is bringing its technology to electric vehicles in partnership with several fleets. The Preteckt team is passionate to serve the maintainers in the industry. Maintenance, maintainers, and digital workflow is its initial focus area.

Some of Saskatoon’s most travelled roads are scheduled for major upgrades this summer. Construction projects will include resurfacing the west bound lanes of Circle Drive North between Millar Avenue and Alberta Avenue, and resurfacing sections of Preston Avenue between Preston Crossing and 8th Street.

“There are several areas of Preston Avenue that are in rough shape and in need of new asphalt,” says Terry Schmidt, General Manager of Transportation and Construction. “We’ll also get to Wanuskewin Road to resurface both sides between 71st Street and Penner Road.” 

Many roads will be completely resurfaced following water main replacements. Replacing the decades old water mains with durable PVC piping will continue in several areas of Saskatoon, including Downtown.

“Downtown water main replacement work will happen in phases throughout the summer and fall to avoid closing several blocks at the same time, starting with 22nd Street East between 3rd Avenue and 4th Avenue.” 

About $67.19 million is earmarked for road and bridge construction and maintenance in 2023. One of the most significant construction zones is already set up on the Circle Drive North Bridge where crews are now two months into a nine-month long rehabilitation project. Sidewalk repairs and annual street maintenance programs like street sweeping, pothole and utility cut repairs, and line painting are now underway or about to start.

Also, this month, the Saskatoon Transit Downtown Terminal will be undergoing road and sidewalk work. For approximately one week, the Terminal will temporarily move to 3rd Avenue North, in front of City Hall. Bus stop locations will be marked in advance.

Saskatoon Light & Power (SL&P) is already working Downtown, upgrading the underground electrical vault on the west side of 2nd Avenue between 21st Street and 22nd Street. Work began in late April and is scheduled for completion by mid-June. This is a cornerstone project that will allow SL&P to proceed with additional electrical renewal projects to update Downtown power infrastructure.

Despite some street closures due to construction, Schmidt says Downtown businesses will remain open and accessible by sidewalk.

“There will be pedestrian and traffic detours Downtown and throughout the city all summer. We thank residents for their patience and are asking everyone to respect work zones.”

For more information on current and future construction, please visit saskatoon.ca/construction.

While a verbal agreement had been in place for several weeks, Loraas has finalized an agreement to accept organic waste materials at its facility north of Saskatoon in the RM of Corman Park. This latest move is part of the contingency plan that was pre-set in the green cart contract the City has with Green Prairie Environmental (GPE).

Activating the pre-set contingency plan became necessary following the April 24 RM Council decision to deny the discretionary use application for GPE’s property in Corman Park where it already operates a landfill.

“The City has now finalized the contingency plan for green cart processing. Organics materials will be hauled to Loraas for processing on an interim basis as we continue to work with GPE to confirm alternate plans to fulfill their requirements under the contract,” says Angela Gardiner, General Manager of Utilities & Environment. “Residents should know that any extra cost of the contingency plan will be carried by GPE and not the City. Green cart collections will begin Monday as planned.”

Facts about the green cart processing contract:

• Following a public procurement, the City awarded a contract to GPE in September 2020 to provide organics processing services to support the City’s Curbside Organics Program.
• Under the terms of the contract, GPE must be ready to receive materials on May 1, 2023.
• It is the City Administration’s understanding that GPE believed its property - where it planned to process the organic waste - was already within the approved RM zoning because GPE already operates a landfill for solid waste and has for the past nine years at that location south of Saskatoon in the RM of Corman Park.
• The green cart project and contract were progressing for the May 1 start date and it was not until GPE applied to the RM for a routine building permit for its permanent facility (a coverall building) earlier this year that the question of discretionary use arose. The RM administration recommended allowing the discretionary use.
• With the RM Council’s decision to deny GPE’s discretionary use application, the City has an agreement with Loraas to accept and process organics materials on an interim basis starting on Monday while discussions progress with GPE on an alternate plan to fulfill their requirements under the contract.
• With the materials going to Loraas, there is no change to the type of materials that will be accepted and therefore, this plan is still in alignment to meet the City’s waste diversion targets.
• Residents should know that any extra cost of the interim contingency plan will be carried by GPE and not the City. 
• The City continues to prepare for the launch of the program next week and collections will not be affected by this RM Council decision.
• All eligible households will have their green carts by the end of this week. 

City-wide green cart collection will begin next Monday, May 1 for every household that has rollout garbage and recycling carts. Green cart collection will alternate biweekly with black cart collection, so be sure to check your collection calendar. You can check your collection dates, print your calendar or set collection reminders by visiting saskatoon.ca/greencart or downloading the Saskatoon Waste Wizard app.

If you are an eligible household and have not received your green cart or kitchen pail, please contact Corporate Revenue at 306-975-2400. For more information about green carts, please visit saskatoon.ca/greencart.

The City of Saskatoon is starting the exciting first phase of engagement for the Downtown Event & Entertainment District and we want to hear your ideas! 

“The public is invited to come on the journey with us to create a thriving Downtown, built around great public gathering spaces and amenities,” says Dan Willems, Director of Technical Services.

In November 2018, City Council directed the Administration to plan for a Downtown event centre/arena and new or expanded convention centre as part of a Downtown Event & Entertainment District. Following public consultation in November 2022, City Council approved the purchase of the Midtown Shopping Centre North Parking Lot as the site for the future Downtown event centre/arena.

City staff are working on a comprehensive District Plan that will establish the Downtown as a hub for entertainment and culture, with vibrant spaces that are welcoming for everyone and attractive for new residential development. The District Plan will also guide the designs for the surrounding streets, parks and other public spaces to be accessible to all residents and visitors. Stantec, HOK and LMN have been hired to create conceptual designs for the new event centre/arena and convention centre, as well as the surrounding outdoor spaces.

The City is now seeking public input on things we should incorporate into the design of the District, new event centre/arena, and new or expanded convention centre and outdoor public space, so they are welcoming, inviting and accessible to all who visit or live in Saskatoon.

“What we hear from the community, along with research and funding considerations, will be considered in the development of the District Plan and conceptual designs for the Downtown event centre/arena and convention centre,” says Willems.

Engagement Opportunities

From April 27 to May 18 the public is invited to share their thoughts in the following ways:

• An opt-in online public survey - Saskatoon residents, as well as those from other communities, can self-select to participate;
• Pop-up “storefronts” at malls and other convenient locations where the community is invited to stop by at their own convenience, see information, talk to City staff and provide feedback through worksheets or the online survey; and
• Many community-led workshops.

A full listing of engagement opportunities is available on saskatoon.ca/engage.

Next Steps

Initial designs for the event centre/arena, convention centre and outdoor gathering spaces will be developed using community feedback, technical research and early budgeting.

The initial ideas, feedback and an early funding strategy will then be presented to City Council’s Governance & Priorities Committee in July 2023.

“After direction from Council, the City will be coming back to the public in the summer and late fall-early winter to get further thoughts and feedback,” Willems explains. “Final draft designs will be presented to City Council for decision and this is expected by the end of 2023.”

A timeline of the decision-making process and next steps for the public to get involved is available here.

Details including the complete background on the Downtown Event & Entertainment District, timelines and decisions are here: saskatoon.ca/eventdistrict. 

Saskatoon Transit is taking the first step in electrifying its bus fleet by signing a contract for two Nova LFSe+ electric buses. These will be the first two permanent battery-electric buses in Saskatoon Transit’s fleet and the first in Saskatchewan.

The long-range battery-electric bus can travel more than 300 kilometres on a single charge. This will save Saskatoon Transit approximately $44,000 in fuel costs annually per bus and will reduce greenhouse gas emissions by more than 60 tonnes per bus annually once in operation.

"Taking transit is already one of the best ways people can reduce their greenhouse gas emissions, but through electrification and other actions outlined in the Low Emissions Community Plan, we’re working to further reduce our impact on the climate,” says Terry Schmidt, General Manager of Transportation and Construction.

This is a critical step towards achieving climate targets outlined in the City of Saskatoon’s Low Emissions Community Plan and Climate Action Plan. Some of these targets include emission reductions of 55,000 tonnes CO₂e by 2050, increasing transit trips to 5 per cent of total trips by 2030 and 10 per cent by 2050.

This $2.7 million investment in battery-electric buses was approved by City Council in December 2021. We expect delivery of these new buses in 2024.

“We are very excited that Saskatoon Transit will be experiencing the long-range electric version of the safe and reliable Nova Bus buses,” says Ralph Acs, President of Nova Bus. “Electrifying transit bus fleets is the smartest option for transit authorities to reduce GHG emissions, and we’re glad Saskatoon Transit is leading the way in Saskatchewan by acquiring the province’s first all-electric buses.”

More information
City of Saskatoon Climate Action Plan webpage

For more information about Saskatoon Transit, visit saskatoontransit.ca or follow @StoonTransit on Twitter. Plan your route in advance using Google Transit or the Transit App on your mobile device.

In an 8-1 vote, the Rural Municipality of Corman Park Council declined a discretionary use application from Green Prairie Environmental (GPE). The application was to operate an organics composting facility located next to the GPE landfill that has been operating in the RM for many years.

Following a public procurement process, the City awarded in September 2020 a contract to GPE to provide organics processing services to support the City’s Curbside Organics Program. 

The City’s contract with GPE requires a contingency plan in the event that GPE faces any challenges to fully deliver service. This was a pre-condition to moving forward.

Residents should know that any extra cost of the contingency will be carried by GPE and not the City. 

The City continues to prepare for the launch of the program next week and collections will not be affected by this RM Council decision. All eligible residences will have their green bins by the end of this week. 

Learn more about the City’s Green Cart Program.

Today, the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities, His Worship Charlie Clark, Mayor of Saskatoon, and Josipa Petrunić, President and CEO of the Canadian Urban Transit Research & Innovation Consortium (CUTRIC), announced a joint investment of $420,000 to plan for the electrification of Saskatoon Transit’s bus fleet.

With this funding, Saskatoon Transit will create a five-phase strategy that will review the costs, assess the risks and advantages, and identify the infrastructure and internal resources needed to transition to a low-carbon fleet. This plan will guide the City of Saskatoon’s efforts to meet their goal of electrifying their entire fleet.

By investing in infrastructure, the Government of Canada is growing our country’s economy, increasing the resiliency of our communities, and improving the lives of Canadians.

Quotes

“The electrification of our transportation sector is one of the most impactful measures we can take to reduce our emissions and build a clean economy. This funding will allow Saskatoon Transit to plan for the successful electrification of their bus fleet, which will provide quieter, cleaner transit options to the city’s residents. Our government will continue working with its partners in Saskatchewan and across the country to build public transit systems Canadians can rely on.”

The Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities

“This important funding will allow Saskatoon to take crucial steps towards modernizing and electrifying our bus fleet. The recent electric bus pilot project showed just some of the possible benefits that can be realized through rapidly evolving technology in the field of transportation. Moving people efficiently and reducing costs while also taking steps to meet targets from our Low Emissions Community Plan will help to ensure a modern and sustainable public transportation system for residents of Saskatoon.”

His Worship Charlie Clark, Mayor of Saskatoon

“At CUTRIC, we know that sustainability is a continuous journey. We are committed to taking significant strides toward a net zero future, and our collaborative effort with the City of Saskatoon and Saskatoon Transit is a testament to that. This project is not just about modernizing fleets; it’s about taking responsibility for the future of our communities and the health and well-being of our citizens. We’re proud to be part of history in Saskatchewan.” 

Josipa Petrunić, President & CEO, Canadian Urban Transit Research & Innovation Consortium (CUTRIC)

Quick facts

• The Government of Canada is investing $336,000 for this project, and the City of Saskatoon is contributing $84,000. 
• Launched in 2021, the $2.75B Zero Emission Transit Fund offers support to public transit and school bus operators across Canada who are electrifying their fleets. 
• The Government of Canada is investing $10 million through the Zero Emission Transit Fund over five years to help transit bus operators to complete planning work and increase their level of readiness to transition to zero emission bus fleets.
• CUTRIC’s mission is to support the commercialization of technologies through industry-led collaborative research, development, demonstration, and integration projects that bring innovative design to Canada’s low-carbon smart mobility ecosystem.
• This project aligns with Saskatoon’s Low Emissions Community Plan, a long-term roadmap for the City to achieve its greenhouse gas reduction targets.

Associated links

• Building Canada's public transit future: Healthy and sustainable modes of transportation for all
• Zero Emission Transit Fund
• Canadian Urban Transit Research & Innovation Consortium
• Saskatoon Climate Action Plan – Progress Report 2021

Green cart deployment is well underway across Saskatoon. All households with black garbage carts and blue recycling carts are receiving a green cart, specifically for food and yard waste, and a kitchen pail starter kit. To date, more than 50% of eligible households have received their carts and kitchen pails.

The third-party contractor responsible for cart deployment has experienced some delays but is increasing crews and workdays to ensure deployment will be completed on time. They have increased from five teams to eight and are now working seven days a week instead of six.

“We have experienced a few setbacks with deployment but with additional resources added by the contractor, we are confident all eligible households will receive their green carts by the end of April,” says Brendan Lemke, Director of Water and Waste Operations. “We would like to reassure residents that they will not be charged for the green cart program before they’ve physically received their cart.”

A monthly average utility fee of $6.73 will appear on City utility bills beginning in May. Households will not incur the organics charge until they have received their carts. The fee covers collection, composting, cart maintenance, education programs and program management.

“We are delivering green carts to all eligible households in the city that currently receive curbside collections to ensure that every eligible household has an opportunity to participate,” Lemke says. "We understand there are instances where, due to space or other constraints, residents of townhouses and properties with secondary suites may want to share carts. We have been hearing from some folks and we do have a process in place if they want to request one or some of their green carts be removed.

A representative from a townhouse complex or an owner of a property with a secondary suite can contact Corporate Revenue Customer Service at 306-975-2400 or revenue@saskatoon.ca to request to have one or some of their green carts removed. Monthly utility fees will still apply to each eligible household even if green carts are removed. The City is focused on successfully completing deployment, ensuring townhomes and secondary suites receive the right size and number of carts, and giving residents time to try out the program for a few months. The majority of single-family residences will not have the opportunity to refuse their green cart until fall.

“Findings from other municipalities show that waste diversion rates increased and requests to opt-out reduced considerably after residents had time to try the new service, so we’d ask that you at least give it a shot this summer,” adds Lemke. "It will also be important to for residents to get used to the new garbage collection schedule. Garbage will now be collected bi-weekly year-round, since more than half of what used to go into the black carts is accepted in the new green cart.”

Green cart collection will begin in May. If your green cart is already full and you have excess yard waste, you can drop it off for free at the City’s two Compost Depots, which are now open for the season. Residents can also pick up one cubic yard of compost or mulch for free while supplies last at the West Compost Depot.  

Later this year the City is launching an organics regulation for businesses and organizations that generate food or yard waste as part of their operations, as well as a pilot project for multi-unit food and yard waste diversion.

For more information about green carts, and to download the ‘Saskatoon Waste Wizard’ app to check collection dates and sign up for collection reminders, please visit saskatoon.ca/greencart.

Youth in Saskatoon are taking action to improve our environment through the Student Action for a Sustainable Future (SASF) program, funded in part by the City of Saskatoon. Financial support for environmental programs like SASF is one way the City demonstrates its commitment to its strategic goal of environmental leadership.

Approximately 325 Grade 4-8 students from 12 classes and 11 schools across the city have been working on different sustainability-focused projects in areas including waste reduction and diversion, biodiversity, water and energy conservation, sustainable transportation, and food production.

Media and community members are invited to attend the showcase event on Tuesday, April 4 from 10:00AM to 11:30AM at the Western Development Museum. Students, teachers, and program representatives will be available for interview.

“Our continued partnership with the SASF program helps to create the next generation of environmental champions and sustainability ambassadors,” says Katie Burns, Manager of Education and Environmental Performance. “We see so much creativity and passion from these student projects that you can’t help but be hopeful and inspired by these young environmental problem solvers.”

Now in its tenth year, the SASF program has seen over 3,500 students participate and student enthusiasm for this experiential learning opportunity remains high.

“We see now more than ever in the tenth year of the SASF program that students are deeply engaged due to the strength of our learning-by-doing action model,” says Amber Burton, Saskatchewan Environmental Society’s SASF Coordinator. “The effectiveness of the program is evident in the quality of student projects we see each year. Students are excited to share their results and learnings from their projects at the in-person showcase which is sure to inspire those that attend to make sustainable changes in their own lives!”

The Student Action for a Sustainable Future program is a partnership between the City of Saskatoon, the Saskatchewan Environmental Society, the Saskatoon Public School Division, the Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools Division, the Sustainability Education Research Institute, Nutrien, and Saskatoon Light and Power along with several other educational stakeholders and community organizations.

For more information, visit Saskatoon.ca/StudentAction.

The City of Saskatoon now offers a free energy coaching service that will support local homeowners who want to learn more about energy efficiency renovations and take advantage of the Canada Greener Homes grant and interest-free loan program. This energy coaching service delivered by energy expert Summerhill can help to help make homes more energy-efficient by: 

• Explaining energy audits and help with prioritization of upgrades considering factors like cost, comfort, and energy reduction; 

• Explaining how to reduce day-to-day energy consumption by changing behaviours in the home; and 

• Helping residents get clarity about available rebates and grants to help reduce energy use in the home through various upgrades like insulation, window and door replacement, air source heat pumps, solar installations, and more.

The coaching service is available over the phone, email, or in-person. Residents can call toll-free, 1-888-834-1889, or email EnergyCoachSK@summerhill.com.   

Energy consumption from residential buildings accounted for 42% of Saskatoon’s greenhouse gas emissions related to energy in 2021, and residential homes account for almost a quarter of our overall community emissions. 

“The City’s goal is to help reduce energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions from homes and other buildings,” says Jeanna South, Director of Sustainability. “Home energy renovations are an important first step in achieving Saskatoon’s emissions reduction targets. The coaches are well-versed to address the unique challenges presented at each home when it comes to renovations”.  

Residents are encouraged to use the links provided to learn more about home energy renovations, greenhouse gas emission reduction, and financial incentives currently being offered. This is the second tool launched in 2023 to assist with energy-smart renovations. Additional tools will launch later in the year. 

This program is being carried out with assistance from the Green Municipal Fund, financed by the Government of Canada and administered by the Federation of Canadian Municipalities. 

Associated links:  

Saskatoon.ca/RenoResources 

https://solar.myheat.ca/saskatoon/