News Releases

After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, Saskatoon Transit was pleased to unveil two pieces of art on the side of transit buses today. This is the third time a student art contest has been run by Saskatoon Transit and this year the contest was open to Grade 3 and Grade 7 students across the city.

“It is such an exciting opportunity for Saskatoon Transit to partner with the elementary schools on this project. These students should feel very proud and honoured when they see their artwork driving past on the side of a bus this summer,” says Tracey Davis, Acting Director, Saskatoon Transit. 

Grade 7 students Nuala, Neha, Radinsa and Marlee from Lakeridge School and Grade 3 students Reem, Ayan and Seth from Ecole Alvin Buckwold put their creativity to the test and were selected as this year’s best of show winners.

The winning pieces were chosen through a collaboration with the Remai Modern. Learning Program Coordinator Wendy Paterson judged the submissions based on how well they reflected the “Active Transportation” theme.

“Submissions clearly indicated students had reflected thoughtfully and imaginatively on the many ways people get around Saskatoon,” says Paterson. “Their collaborative depictions of communities that are themselves collaborative projects, were fittingly brimming with activity and colour, just like this community!”

The winning artwork will be displayed on the side of ten Saskatoon Transit buses traveling across Saskatoon throughout the summer.

“Congratulations to these students for showcasing the benefits of active transportation and exhibiting what it means to be environmentally responsible citizens,” says Superintendent Nicola Bishop-Yong with Saskatoon Public Schools. “Through our ‘Move to Grow’ initiative, our school division encourages students to pursue active transportation and make mindful choices that support their well-being, community, and world. I am proud of all the students who took part in this contest and expressed the importance of being community-minded stewards of the environment.”

“This partnership with the Remai, the Saskatoon Public School Board, and the Greater Saskatoon Catholic School Board helps support and promote art, especially local art, alongside how active transportation plays a critical part of public transit,” concludes Davis.

At today’s Governance and Priorities Committee (GPC) meeting, members asked for a deferral to set the indicative rates for 2022 and 2023 at a later date. 

Special meetings are to be arranged with the Standing Policy Committee on Finance to undertake a deeper review of the proposed 2022 and 2023 estimated indicative rates and report back to GPC.

The purpose of the review will be to further explore options to address the property tax pressure residents and businesses face in this unprecedented year, and to recognize the funds required to maintain quality services and address strategic priorities of City Council. There will be opportunities for planned stakeholder engagement as part of this process.

GPC also asked the Administration to report back on the implications for the funding and operations of waste programs, including the city-wide organics program, specifically the proposal of possibly funding the organics program as a utility model. City Council previously decided to phase-in the cost of the city-wide organics program. The phased-in approach has a financial impact of 0.87% on the City’s mill rate in 2022 and 0.87% again in 2023.

Setting the indicative rate is not to finalize the property tax rates. It is the starting point in the budget building process and for 2022 and 2023, whereby the estimated rates presented are for a status quo budget – the property tax rates presented to GPC of 5.96% in 2022 and 5.42% in 2023 are the rates required to keep all City services and service levels the same as what residents have been receiving. 

City Council will make all final decisions on the City’s service delivery and service levels on November 29, 30 and December 1, 2021, at its budget review for 2022 and 2023.

The indicative rate guides the Administration in preparing the multi-year budget to allocate resources to the services, programs and initiatives within Council’s priority areas outlined in its 2022-2025 Strategic Plan, which will be released in early fall. 

Visit saskatoon.ca/budget for more information on the City’s 2022/2023 Multi-Year Business Plan and Budget process.

The City of Saskatoon is preparing its first multi-year budget during a global pandemic. Despite the uncertainty as to when restrictions are lifted and people respond to a post-pandemic environment, the City Administration is recommending that the Governance and Priorities Committee (GPC) of City Council set the 2022 and 2023 indicative rates at their next meeting, Monday, June 21. Setting the indicative rate guides the Administration in preparing the budget by allocating resources to the services, programs and initiatives that help achieve Council’s strategic priorities.  

Driven by growth and inflationary pressures, the Administration is estimating an indicative rate for each of the next two years that covers the increasing costs of service delivery. To that end, the Administration is proposing annual average operating expenditure increases of three percent, the lowest in several years.

“The City’s expenditure increases are driven primarily by growth, and inflation,” says Tarasoff. “Administration has made efforts to limit the increase in budgetary expenditures with the aim to lessen the potential property tax increase while maintaining existing service delivery levels.

“Through the Administrative budgeting process, the Administration already cut $7.5 million from the initial indicative budget for 2022. These adjustments reduced the potential indicative property tax rate by approximately three percentage points.”

Addressing inflationary and growth pressures while delivering existing services and maintaining service levels has proven to be challenging for the Administration as non-tax revenues fail to keep pace.

Although the Administration estimates revenue increases of $3.15 million in 2022 and $5.06 million in 2023, for the indicative rate, these increases are well below what the City would need in order to keep pace with changes in the economy.

Growth in user fees and government operating transfers are below population changes and inflation. This revenue gap causes significant pressure on our starting point, the indicative rate. 

“Preparing the 2022-2023 indicative rates produced many challenges. This is because there are many financial pressures from declining non-tax revenues and longer-term challenges to increase that revenue due largely to the impacts of COVID-19,” says Kerry Tarasoff, Chief Financial Officer. “The tough job is to strike the right balance between delivering on City Council priorities, service levels, budget realities and the long-term financial stability for the City.”

The Administration will require the Committee’s direction on setting a property tax target for preparing the 2022-2023 budget for deliberation later this fall. The options are:

• to set the property tax rate equal to the indicative rate;
• add to the property tax rate above the indicative rate, which provides the ability to consider implementation of some of the budget options that will be presented in August; or
• decrease the property tax rate below the indicative rate, which would require reductions to the budget that could change existing service levels. 

The estimated indicative rate increase is 5.96% in 2022 and 5.42% in 2023. These indicative rates do not include the expected short-term impacts from COVID-19. 

The City estimates the fiscal impact from the COVID-19 pandemic to be $16.8 million in 2022 and $10 million in 2023. To address this impact, the City will require spending restrictions and a fiscal transfer from either the federal or provincial government (or a combination of both) like the Safe Restart Program funding that was provided in 2021.

Setting the indicative municipal property tax rate is an important first building block in the development of the City’s multi-year business plan and budget. It is important to remember this first step is not the final property tax rate. City Council will finalize its decisions at the 2022-2023 budget deliberations set for November 2021.

Visit saskatoon.ca/budget for the Administrative Report to GPC andmore information on the City's 2022  2023 Multi-Year Business Plan and Budget process.

On Monday, June 21, the administration will present a report to the Governance and Priorities Committee recommending that the City in-source collections service for the city-wide curbside organics program slated to begin in spring 2023. On October 22, 2018, City Council approved the establishment of a new waste management service level of bi-weekly year-round waste and organics collection for all curbside residential households.

The options being presented are as follows:

• Option 1 ($3.0–3.3 million annually): In-source city-wide collection of organic waste.
• Option 2 ($3.0–4.5 million annually): Out-source city-wide organic waste collection to a third party for a fixed term.
• Option 3 ($4.2–5.65 million annually): In-source organic waste collection for a portion of the City and out-source the balance to a third party for a fixed term.

“Multiple factors were considered before arriving at this recommendation,” says Brendan Lemke, Director of Water & Waste Operations. “We are making a recommendation that puts us in the best position to operate this new program most efficiently and with the least impact on our existing resources.”

Decision factors included cost, cost stability, life cycle cost, span of control and labour relations implications. The recommended Option 1 was most favourable in all categories, as it would:

• utilize existing City resources to maximum efficiency, including collections equipment and customer service infrastructure to ensure successful implementation;
• provide the greatest span of control to adjust routing and service levels;
• minimize risks associated with a third-party provider, including disruption to service and ability to maintain a high level of customer service and public relations;
• minimize overall life cycle cost when considering both waste and organics programs and provides the highest level of certainty of costs over the long term; and
• minimize impact to current workforce engaged in organics collections.

Review the full admin report and attachments.

Progress updates and a decision history can be found on the Curbside Organics Program webpage.

After a year of COVID-imposed hiatus, the Reconciliation Saskatoon Rock Your Roots Walk for Reconciliation is back for 2021. In adherence with ongoing public gathering restrictions, the event will look a bit different than in past years. Pre-COVID, this annual event attracted thousands of people to Saskatoon’s riverbank to walk together.

The Rock Your Roots Walk for Reconciliation represents the commitment of our community to acknowledge the past in order to forge a stronger future. It’s a public demonstration of support for residential school attendees, and an opportunity for people to consider how they are fulfilling the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s 94 Calls to Action in their lives and work. The walk takes place in conjunction with National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21), an important moment to consider what Indigenous peoples have contributed to the founding of Canada.

Melissa Cote, Director of Indigenous Initiatives at the City of Saskatoon, says: “This is an opportunity to either make or reconfirm a commitment to reconciliation. As you’re walking, consider what you’re doing to address racism and discrimination in our community. Think about residential school survivors and how you’ll honour them this year through your engagement in reconciliation. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to participate.”

Eugene Arcand, a residential school survivor and member of the Saskatoon Survivors Circle, says: “I attended a residential school from 1958 to 1969. I remember the separation of our families as soon as we got there. It wasn’t until somewhere between Grades 3 and 6 where we got to take Sunday walks altogether in the springtime. This was the only time where we could mix with the girls, talk to our relatives and friends. I’ve talked to various students from different schools and they all had a similar experience of going for a walk on Sunday afternoons. That walk meant a lot to all of us no matter what residential school we went to. And now we have a walk called Rock Your Roots in honour of these survivors; we really sincerely thank everyone who takes part.”

Shirley Isbister, president of the Central Urban Métis Federation Inc. (CUMFI), says: “The Rock Your Roots Walk for Reconciliation is an opportunity to honour First Nation, Métis and Inuit residential school survivors. It is a day to celebrate cultural diversity and a day to remember that Truth must come before reconciliation. Please join us in rocking our roots!”

In order to keep everyone safe, residents are invited to plan to walk individually or in small groups. Participants may choose to wear their cultural regalia or the reconciliation colours of yellow, blue, and red during their walk. This dress demonstrates the diversity and inclusivity of our community. People can further showcase their support by sharing a photo to social media with the hashtag #RockYourRoots.

Reconciliation Saskatoon, which the City co-chairs, will also hold a Live Virtual Event on June 21st featuring stories, entertainment and messages from residential school survivors. The video will be available anytime on June 21st at beaconnectr.com/june21. You can also join the event page at facebook.com/ReconciliationSaskatoon or change your Facebook Profile Picture Frame to increase awareness – visit facebook.com/profilepicframes and search Rock Your Roots by Bang Up Productions. 

Today, the City of Saskatoon announced that work is now completed on the Digester and Heating Upgrades project at the Wastewater Treatment Plant (WWTP).

The 3-year, $48.2 million project is funded by the Government of Canada ($9.5 million) and Government of Saskatchewan ($9.5 million) through their New Building Canada Fund, with a $29.2 million investment by the City of Saskatoon.

“Investments in modernizing wastewater infrastructure address communities’ needs and help protect the environment. By partnering with Saskatchewan to upgrade Saskatoon’s Wastewater Treatment Plant, our Government is supporting the local economy while ensuring residents benefit from improved water quality and healthier local ecosystems,” said the Honourable Dominic LeBlanc, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs, Infrastructure and Communities.

“Reliable local water systems are important to position Saskatchewan communities for growth and attract new business,” Saskatoon Riversdale MLA Marv Friesen said on behalf of Don McMorris, Saskatchewan’s Minister of Government Relations. “The Government of Saskatchewan is proud to invest $9.5 million toward this important wastewater infrastructure project in Saskatoon, which will benefit the local economy, residents and environment.”

“As our city continues to grow, it’s important to maintain our high standards and stewardship in protecting people and property downstream from Saskatoon,” said Mayor Charlie Clark. “The investments in a new digester and heating upgrades at the Wastewater Treatment Plant will help us meet demand by improving capacity, sustainability, as well as maintaining our high-quality standards into the future. The expansion includes an exciting sustainable energy recovery process that will recycle biogas to be used as fuel in boilers and solid matter as nutrients for local and nearby crops.”

The new digester is the Wastewater Treatment Plant’s fourth and will improve capacity to allow the plant to maintain Water Security Agency processing standards whenever another digester is taken out of service for maintenance. The digesters are large circular tanks that hold the solids removed during the wastewater treatment process. The solids are deprived of oxygen to allow bacteria to form and break the solids down, and methane biogas is produced during the process. The methane biogas helps heat the WWTP, which in turn, reduces reliance on the use of natural gas for heating. Boiler upgrades and the installation of a methane biogas treatment filter were also a part of the project.

To learn more about the Digester and Heating Upgrades project, visit saskatoon.ca/digester.

Summary of Facts

• Construction on the fourth digester and Heating and Gas Scrubbing Building began in 2019 and was completed in 2021, ahead of schedule and under budget.
• Digesters are the last stage in the wastewater treatment process. The solids removed during the treatment process are held in an oxygen deprived environment to allow bacteria to form and break the solids down.
• The digesters produce two types of renewable resources; biogas (energy) and biosolids (soil nutrient).
• This expansion includes a new sustainable energy recovery process that will condition biogas to be used as fuel in the boilers while the solid matter is used as nutrient for local crops.
• Construction of a fourth digester tank improves capacity and allows the City to maintain Water Security Agency processing standards when another digester is taken out of service for maintenance purposes.
• Upgrades to boilers were also made to accommodate the additional heat that will be required to run all four digesters.
• Now that construction is complete, residents can no longer see an open flame at the Wastewater Treatment Plant as the flare has been replaced with two enclosed flares.

After a two year pause due to COVID, the Rock Your Roots Walk for Reconciliation is back in-person for the community to gather together and celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21) at 10:00 a.m.

Rock Your Roots is put on by Reconciliation Saskatoon, which the City of Saskatoon co-chairs along with the Office of the Treaty Commissioner. The event, attended by thousands in past years, was first held in 2016 with attendance growing each year. The intent is to answer the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's Calls to Action by demonstrating a commitment to Reconciliation, honouring Residential School Survivors, and working towards an inclusive community.

“The significance of a walk can be attributed to the Sunday walks in residential schools; this was often the only time when siblings and cousins of different genders might be reunited,” says Judy Pelly, a Residential School Survivor and member of the Rock Your Roots Walk organizing committee. “It’s meaningful for organizers to see Indigenous and non-Indigenous peoples come together in this way.”

Individuals of all ages are invited to attend, including groups representing organizations, workplaces, and schools. Cultural performers from across the city have been invited to ‘rock their roots’ along the walk route by sharing a piece of their culture and showcasing Saskatoon’s incredible diversity.

“This walk is an opportunity to learn about and honour Indigenous history as well as celebrate the cultural mosaic that is our community,” says Shirley Isbister, President of the Central Urban Métis Federation Inc. (CUMFI). “It’s an inclusive event that welcomes everyone to participate; I’m really hoping that we’ll see a great turnout.”

“Rock Your Roots is an opportunity to bring our community together to understand and be educated on residential schools that have negatively impacted Indigenous peoples,” says Saskatoon Tribal Chief Mark Arcand. “This walk is a sign of Reconciliation and a commitment to change for the better, so that all people can have a quality of life.”

Walk participants are invited to wear their cultural regalia, an EveryChildMatters shirt, or any other orange shirt. Rock Your Roots t-shirts – with all proceeds directed to programming and activities for Rock Your Roots – can be ordered by emailing RockYourRootstshirts@gmail.com.

“Rock Your Roots represents an acknowledgment of the multi-generational impacts of residential schools and a commitment to Reconciliation,” says Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark. “It’s a public demonstration of support for residential school attendees and those lost. It’s a promise to work towards a future that affords every member of our community equal opportunity.”

The Rock Your Roots Walk for Reconciliation event takes place on National Indigenous Peoples Day (June 21) in Victoria Park between 10:00 and 11:30 a.m. The start location is in Victoria Park near Legion Branch 63 on Spadina Crescent West. All are welcome. More information is available at saskatoon.ca/Indigenous.