News Releases

The City recognizes March annually as Cultural Diversity and Race Relations Month. This year, in order to recognize the occasion while keeping everyone safe, the City released a video in lieu of hosting an in-person event. The Virtual Proclamation and Opening Ceremony includes remarks from Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark; Chief Commissioner of the Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission (SHRC), David Arnot; Chair of the City’s Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee, Namarta Kochar; and Leader of Black Lives Matter YXE, Delilah Kamuhanda.

Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark says: “The reality that systemic racism continues to cause harm to people in the BIPOC and 2SLGBTQ communities has become front and centre this past year. Increased awareness is leading to a sense of hope that we can bring about real change. Change means breaking down systemic barriers so that people experience the same opportunity to contribute and participate in society regardless of skin colour, ethnicity, or sexual identity. As we declare March Cultural Diversity and Race Relations Month, it is a chance for all of us in our neighbourhoods, schools, families, and workplaces to redouble our efforts and resolve to build our community together.”

SHRC Chief Commissioner David Arnot says: “Racism and discrimination do exist in our community, but we are making inroads and will continue to do so. Cultural Diversity and Race Relations Month encourages us to focus on what needs to change. As responsible citizens, and members of one human family, we must be the agents of that change in order to secure every person’s right to live with dignity, respect, and equality.”

Following is a list of some notable dates for the month:

March 1 – Flag Raising & Video Commemoration: The Cultural Diversity and Race Relations Flag has been raised in Civic Square. In keeping with COVID-19 restrictions, a commemorative video was released in lieu of an in-person ceremony.

March 10 – Living in Harmony Nomination Deadline: Last day to submit a nomination for a local organization, individual, or student(s) for outstanding achievements contributing to the elimination of racial discrimination.

March 19 – Presentation of Living in Harmony Awards: Recognizing award recipients for their efforts in being the bridge to end racism. This year's presentation will take place virtually and be available for viewing at saskatoon.ca/livinginharmony.

March 21 – International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination: Observed annually in acknowledgment of this day in 1960 when peaceful demonstrators were killed in South Africa for speaking out against apartheid.

For more information about Cultural Diversity and Race Relations Month, please visit saskatoon.ca/RaceRelations.

Starting March 1, 2022, building, development and plumbing permits can be done completely online through the City of Saskatoon’s new ePermitting system. This new ePermitting system will let people apply for permits, track the progress of the application and even request inspections all digitally – reducing the need for in-person visits to City Hall and increasing transparency around the permitting process.

“The ePermitting system will allow the permitting process to become inherently digital,” says Kara Fagnou, Director of Building Standards. “It houses a vast library of pre-configured permit types to meet most business needs, includes email notifications that are automatically triggered and offers mobile capacity to support field inspection staff.”

Service Saskatoon and Building Standards staff will still be available via phone, or where needed, in person, but the ePermitting system will remove the need for most residents and businesses to travel to City Hall for permitting assistance.

“The launch of ePermitting is a key step for Building Standards toward its goal of being a national leader in permit turnaround times,” says Fagnou. “We are always looking for ways to streamline and improve our business processes. To support ePermitting, we have also streamlined our internal workflows and updated many of our procedures to help meet customers’ needs in the most efficient way possible.”

For more information, please visit saskatoon.ca/buildingstandards, or call 306.975.2645. Customers can register an account and login to the ePermitting system starting March 1 at saskatoon.ca/ePermitting.

Vehicle speeds on residential streets and pedestrian safety are the top concerns among residents who have participated in neighbourhood traffic reviews (NTRs) throughout Saskatoon since the program’s inception in 2013. The City of Saskatoon will present a roadmap of the reporting strategy for the review of speed limits on neighbourhood streets to the Standing Policy Committee on Transportation, March 1, 2021, after which the public will be able to provide feedback online.

“Road safety is a shared responsibility. Many cities across Canada, and the world, have successfully implemented reduced speed limits in their jurisdictions. Before making any changes, we want to inform, educate, and get meaningful feedback from citizens in order to make the right decisions with the right outcomes,” says Jay Magus, Director of Transportation.

The review will consider revisions (including speed limit reductions) to posted speed limits on neighbourhood streets to improve safety in residential, school and playground areas.

The scope of the public engagement for the Speed Limit Review will include:

• Feedback on the possibility of reducing the speed limit in residential areas from 50 km/h to either 40 km/h, or 30 km/h 
• Feedback on possible changes to speed limits in school zones, playground zones, and areas with a high number of seniors

People are invited to participate in providing feedback on the Speed Limit Review project by visiting www.saskatoon.ca/engage/speed-limit-review and by taking the survey, which will go live starting March 2 and stay open until April 30, 2021. Comments will also be received by email at speedlimitreview@saskatoon.ca. The survey will also be conducted by telephone using a random sampling method.

The City of Saskatoon’s Speed Limit Review supports the Strategic Goals of Moving Around and Quality of Life in the city. 

Note: In general, speed limit changes / reductions on major arterial roads (i.e. 22nd Street, McOrmond Drive) are not being considered as part of this review.

The City of Saskatoon has achieved ISO 37120 Platinum Certification from the World Council on City Data (WCCD) for its quality of data. This is the organization’s highest level of recognition.

This significant achievement was accomplished through Saskatoon’s participation in the nation-wide Data for Canadian Cities Pilot Project, supported by the Federal Ministry of Infrastructure and Communities, and implemented by the WCCD. The project’s goal is to increase data capacity in cities across the country, while helping to put data to use to improve city services and quality of life.  

"All communities, large and small, need good data to plan and build modern public infrastructure," says Canada’s Minister of Infrastructure and Communities, Catherine McKenna. "Meeting global data standards is critical. Through the Data for Canadian Cities Project, in partnership with the World Council on City Data, we've been helping municipal leaders in a number of communities across Canada do just that. I am delighted that the City of Saskatoon has obtained the ISO standard for municipal data. This will help the city plan projects with quality data and will help guide evidence-based decision-making. Canada's infrastructure plan invests in thousands of projects, creates jobs across the country and builds stronger communities."

City of Saskatoon Mayor Charlie Clark says: "For too long trying to compare programs and outcomes between cities has been like comparing apples and oranges because of different ways that data gets measured. Achieving Platinum Certification with WCCD opens the door to powerful new tools for us to better focus our planning, our budgeting, and learning from best practices in other cities to help our city succeed into the future."

WCCD President and CEO, Dr. Patricia McCarney says: "On behalf of the WCCD, we are very proud to welcome the City of Saskatoon into our global network of cities all dedicated to building high calibre and globally standardized data to drive informed and evidence-based decision-making. Working with Mayor Clark, City Council and staff over the past few years as part of the Data for Canadian Cities Project, supported by the Ministry of Infrastructure and Communities, has revealed an incredible commitment by the City of Saskatoon to harnessing data that will drive sustainability, prosperity, and a better future for all residents of Saskatoon. Achieving WCCD's ISO 37120 Platinum Certification is a real testament to this city-wide approach. On behalf of the entire WCCD team, we look forward to our continued work with you and to sharing stories of Saskatoon's successes – both in Canada and globally."

Preliminary data indicates that Saskatoon compares favourably with peer cities across a number of areas including ease of access to work, affordability, and supporting healthy citizens. Saskatoon’s performance in all categories will be released by WCCD later this year.

• When the Provincial Public Health Order on masks is lifted as of February 28 at 12:01 a.m., masks will continue to be required to access indoor City-operated facilities and services and when travelling on Saskatoon Transit. Facilities include City Hall, Leisure Centres, indoor arenas, golf course buildings, indoor spaces at the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo and the downtown Saskatoon Transit Customer Service Centre. City Council approved the action at its special meeting on February 8, 2022 to ensure the safety of staff and the public who are accessing City services. This will be continually reassessed.
• Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination or Negative Test is no longer required when attending City-operated facilities.

For the latest updates, visit saskatoon.ca/covid-19.

“In a year when people are feeling particularly cooped up and restless, getting outdoors and experiencing nature is a great way to relieve stress, get exercise, and lift spirits,” says Katie Burns, Sustainability Manager at the City of Saskatoon. “And while we certainly encourage outdoor activities, we, in partnership with Meewasin, have a few tips for ensuring that we are protecting our natural areas as well as our wildlife and their sensitive habitats.”

1. Stay on designated trails and paths when hiking, snowshoeing, skiing, or biking (snow is habitat for many creatures)
2. Stay away from naturalized ponds that are not designated for skating
3. ATVs, snowmobiles, dirt bikes and other motorized vehicles are not allowed in natural areas. If witnessed, please report to police communications at 306-975-8300.
4. Leave areas the way you find them. Don’t litter, dump, leave materials behind or remove any private property.

“Many regions of the Meewasin Valley contain significant ecosystems and habitat,” says Mike Velonas, Manager of Planning and Conservation at Meewasin. “Whether it’s prairie, forest, wetland, or river, many animals depend upon spaces like the Meewasin Northeast Swale, Saskatoon Natural Grasslands, and Beaver Creek Conservation Area to survive. While we encourage folks to explore and connect with nature, we ask you to remember these tips to help Meewasin conserve important habitat and protect biodiversity.”

For more information on how to safely enjoy outdoor activities please see the following resources:

• City of Saskatoon’s list of ponds designated for recreational use
• Water Security Agency of Saskatchewan’s  guidelines on ice thickness
• City of Saskatoon’s winter events & activities webpage

The Meewasin Valley Authority exists to ensure a healthy and vibrant river valley, with a balance between human use and conservation. To get involved or learn more, visit: meewasin.com

Mild temperatures over the past couple of days are creating deep ruts on some residential streets. City and contractor crews are shifting their focus to shaving down the deep ruts where people are getting stuck or there’s a risk of damage to vehicles.

Beginning this evening, graders will start to shave the top layers of ruts on residential streets with severe rutting and store the snow in the parking lane. Snow removal may only occur in areas where there is no room to store the snow.

“To open up these streets quickly for residents, we need to move fast,” says Terry Schmidt, General Manager of Construction and Transportation. “Colder temperatures are coming soon which will make grading harder for us.”

Grading will be done by neighbourhood starting on the streets where the ruts are at least 15 centimetres deep, making it challenging for smaller vehicles. We will go around parked cars but encourage people to move vehicles if there is off-street parking available.

On streets with heavy on-street parking that are too narrow for our equipment, we will post No Parking signs in advance and relocate vehicles left on the street.

The work will occur day and night and we hope to complete all severely rutted streets within the next two weeks. This may be extended if there is a snow event that requires some staff to address priority street grading.

While grader operators attempt to keep driveways unobstructed, short snow ridges may be left behind. The location may be inspected for clearing if it completely blocks a vehicle from accessing the driveway.

Starting tomorrow, regular updates will be provided on saskatoon.ca/snow with neighbourhood locations. Note that grading will accommodate garbage and recycling collection schedules. Thank you for your patience and leaving space for our operators and equipment to safely do their work.

The City identified the need for a permanent outdoor festival site to assist festivals and events with their programming while also protecting green infrastructure (trees and grass) from re-occurring damage. After an extensive feasibility study and stakeholder engagement, an Approval Report will be presented to the Governance and Priorities Committee at its meeting on Tuesday, February 16, 2021. The report articulates a vision for the future of hosting outdoor special events in Saskatoon, recommends a preferred site location and provides a functional concept plan for development of the area.

“Saskatoon is renowned for its festivals and events,” says Lynne Lacroix, General Manager of Community Services. “From music festivals to celebrations of local food and record-setting snowball fights, the amount, variety and scale of events in the city is important to the cultural, social and economic life of Saskatoon. Against the backdrop of the South Saskatchewan river, a permanent site will allow events four seasons of the year and provide event planners and the tourism industry stability in planning world-class events.”

The Approval Report includes:

• The technical and engagement processes that led to the preferred site selection;

• An extensive concept plan; and,

• Cost, risk and budgetary analysis.

Should Council approve the concept plan for the Permanent Downtown Festival Site, development of the full vision for the Site would need to be completed in phases. Phase 1, totaling $2 million, will be funded by the Municipal Economic Enhancement Program and construction will begin in Spring 2021.

“Phase 1 will provide us with a great site that will be a gathering place for Saskatoon,” says Lacroix. “The remaining phases can be constructed over time, pending future budget and funding considerations and approval.”

Further information, including the concept plan and engagement summary, is available on the City’s engagement website.

At a Special Meeting of City Council this morning, Council approved a number of resolutions to guide the City’s response to COVID-19 in the community and continue to protect the health and safety of residents, customers and employees once provincial Public Health Orders are lifted later this month.  

Council approved the removal of Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination or Negative Test Requirements for City of Saskatoon facilities when the Government of Saskatchewan rescinds the “Public Health Order Proof of COVID-19 Vaccination or Negative Test”, effective Monday, February 14.

Council unanimously recommitted to keeping in place the requirement that all residents and visitors accessing all City facilities, including when travelling on Saskatoon Transit, wear a mask upon the rescission of the existing “Public Health Order Mandatory Isolation and Face Covering” by the provincial government, which is anticipated to occur at the end of February.

Council also directed that Administration continue to provide masks for patrons of Saskatoon Transit, and report back on ways to increase enforcement or conflict resolution support on Transit in regards to the use of masks before the end of the month.  

Further, Council has requested that the Administration provide a report to Governance and Priorities Committee (GPC) on a monthly basis, starting in March 2022, providing a written COVID update that includes a recommendation on whether to continue the requirement of masking for all persons accessing all City facilities.

For the latest updates, visit saskatoon.ca/covid-19. 

Diverting edible items from the landfill to improve food security is an easy cause to support. Removing the barriers to make it happen, however, can be complicated.

A new joint study by the University of Saskatchewan (USask) and the City of Saskatoon, Promising Practices in Food Reclamation in Saskatoon, found ways to minimize the food being discarded.

The project took place through Research Junction, an innovative partnership between the city and the university. Research Junction awards funding to projects that apply advanced research methods to address current issues in Saskatoon.

Rachel Engler-Stringer of USask’s Community-University Institute for Social Research was a lead researcher on the project.

The team performed a survey of best practices in food diversion, and gathered information from a wide variety of stakeholders, including food retailers and organizations on the front lines of providing food to clients in Saskatoon.

Once they understood the logistical and infrastructure barriers to diverting food, researchers developed recommendations to address this widespread issue. It is estimated one-third of the food produced worldwide and 30-40 percent of all food produced in Canada annually is wasted or lost.

“We tried to make it very practical,” said Engler-Stringer, who is also associate professor in the Department of Community Health and Epidemiology at USask’s College of Medicine. “I hope that a number of our recommendations will be taken up and there will be significant change in Saskatoon.”

In particular, she would like to see a food recovery association created in partnership with governments, as well as a social enterprise established to “upcycle” or transform surplus food for other uses.

Farhad Lashgarara, who was a principal researcher for the study, said it is necessary to both create ways to divert food from landfills and provide disincentives for simply discarding it.

“It is now easier to just throw things away,” he said. “We need to change that equation.”

Other recommendations include a public awareness campaign, the use of phone food diversion apps, and inclusion of food diversion in city planning processes.

This initiative aligns with Saskatoon’s Solid Waste Reduction and Diversion Plan that provides clear actions the city can take to produce less waste and recycle and compost most of it. The report was presented to the Standing Policy Committee on Environment, Utilities and Corporate Services on Monday, February 7, 2022.

“With these two strategies coordinated, the city is looking toward the next steps to act on their recommendations,” said Jeanna South, Director of Sustainability for the City of Saskatoon. “The upcoming regulation for businesses to start diverting the food waste they generate in 2023 presents an opportunity to encourage reduction and redistribution of food that otherwise would become waste, thus saving disposal costs while benefiting our community and environment.”

The full report can be found here: https://cuisr.usask.ca/publications.php