News Releases

The City of Saskatoon and Reconciliation Saskatoon are co-hosting a Pipe Ceremony & Survivors’ Flag Raising this morning to start the week that includes the National Day of Truth and Reconciliation.

“Our objective is to collectively set intentions for the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation and the Rock Your Roots Walk for Reconciliation,” says Pipe Carrier and Knowledge Keeper, Corine Eyahpaise. “We are coming together to reflect and also to set our sights on a brighter future for every member of this community.”

The flag being raised is the newly unveiled Survivors’ Flag, meant to honour Residential School Survivors and all the lives and communities impacted by the Residential School System in Canada. Each element depicted on the flag was carefully selected by Survivors from across Canada. Eugene Arcand – who attended St. Michael’s Residential School in Duck Lake, Saskatchewan and is now Chair of the Saskatoon Survivors Circle – was one of the Survivors consulted in the flag’s creation.

Eugene Arcand says: “On the flag, there is an incomplete circle that surrounds this image much in the same way that there are still many Truths to be told before we come close to understanding the impact residential schools had on Survivors, communities, and the entire nation. And there is a story yet to be told. We are at a point in time where we have to ask ourselves how we want our future generations to see what actions we have taken towards healing and reconciliation.”

The Survivors' Flag will be on display in Civic Square (off 23rd St E, between 3rd and 4th Ave N) until Oct. 3, 2022. Note that the Survivors’ Flag, and all flags in Civic Square, will fly at half-mast until Sept. 29 in recognition of Firefighters National Memorial Day and Police & Peace Officers’ National Memorial Day.

Orange Banner Project

During the Pipe Ceremony & Flag Raising, Saskatoon Tribal Chief, Mark Arcand and Saskatoon Mayor, Charlie Clark were invited to speak to the Orange Banner Project. The Orange Banner Project is an initiative to raise awareness about Reconciliation in conjunction with the second annual National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. It refers to the close to 250 orange banners with Reconciliation messages that were installed on light poles over this past weekend.

“The Orange Banner Project is meant to honour the children that didn’t make it home, the ones who made it home, and the ones that are still lost and away from the home fires,” says Tribal Chief Arcand. “By connecting the west and east sides of the city, the banners signify the need to build bridges throughout our city. It also takes us on a path of recognizing our relatives in the core neighbourhoods, along Spadina Crescent where many churches are located, and by the U of S as a symbol of higher education and a brighter future.”

The banners appear along the following route:

• Starting at 20th Street W where it intersects with Avenue P S
• Continuing east along 20 Street as far as Spadina Crescent E
• Continuing northeast along Spadina Crescent as far as University Bridge
• Restarting on the other side of University Bridge, heading east on College Drive
• Continuing along College Drive until Preston Avenue N

There are 10 different banners, reading as follows:

• Banner #1: More than 150,000 attended residential schools 
• Banner #2: Many never returned home 
• Banner #3: It isn’t just Indigenous history 
• Banner #4: It is our shared history 
• Banner #5: We are telling our stories 
• Banner #6: Every Child Matters   
• Banner #7: Over 160 years of pain 
• Banner #8: But together we can heal 
• Banner #9: Saskatoon Survivors Circle – ayacimoyok “We are telling our stories” 
• Banner # 10: Commitment to Reconciliation [Metis Survivors] 

“We wanted to reach as many people in our city as possible with this initiative,” says Mayor Clark. “We hope that people will make some time to walk along a piece of the route and take in the messages and reflect on them. This is an opportunity to continue building awareness and to create a sense of community since Truth and Reconciliation is up to all of us.”

The Rock Your Roots Walk for Reconciliation on Sept. 30 will take place along a portion of the Orange Banner Project route. You can learn more about the Rock Your Roots Walk at saskatoon.ca/Indigenous or by connecting to the Facebook Event.

The Orange Banner Project is an initiative of the Saskatoon Tribal Council and City of Saskatoon. The Rock Your Roots Walk for Reconciliation is organized by Reconciliation Saskatoon with support from the City of Saskatoon. 

The Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo (Zoo) is deeply saddened to announce the loss of Buddy, a 15-year-old grey wolf. Animal care and veterinary staff made the difficult decision to euthanize the geriatric wolf due to his declining health associated with his advanced age.

Buddy had been facing some geriatric health concerns including arthritis, kidney issues and failing vision. Staff had been closely monitoring and managing his comfort and care, but in recent months, Buddy’s condition declined significantly. Veterinary and animal care staff made careful adjustments to his medications and treatment plan to ensure Buddy’s comfort. However, his condition had progressed to the point that staff could no longer ensure his comfort and quality of life.  

Buddy arrived at the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo in 2007 and played an integral role in the educational programming at the Zoo inspiring guests, students and families to help conserve and protect this incredible species.

“Buddy loved to have visitors at the Zoo,” said Jeff Mitchell, Zoo Manager. “He would often come up to the glass to greet students and families with his unique whimper of excitement. He was an amazing ambassador for his species and will be missed by all who came to know him.”

The average life expectancy of a grey wolf is six to eight years in the wild and up to 15 years in zoological facilities. They grey wolf is classified as Least Concern on the endangered species list.

The Zoo has set up two commemorative signs outside the wolf exhibit at the Nutrien Ark. Everyone is welcome to write a message for Buddy, the signs will be on display until Tuesday, September 27.

Make this your year to volunteer and make a difference in your community by helping shape programs and services that matter to you.

We rely on citizen volunteers to bring their diverse backgrounds and expertise to participate on our boards, committees and commissions.

As a commitment of our Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Action Plan, the membership of the City’s various boards, committees and commissions should reflect the community we serve, with each member bringing their perspective, guidance and advice. We welcome, support and value individuals for their differences, lived experiences, talents and contributions.

We are currently seeking volunteers for various City Boards, Committees and Commissions. As a member, you’ll  have opportunities to guide recommendations, and share your input, advice and expertise.

There are a wide variety of open positions on:  

• Diversity Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee
• Municipal Heritage Advisory Committee
• Public Art Advisory Committee
• Saskatoon Environmental Advisory Committee
• P4G Saskatoon North Partnership for Growth – District Planning Commission
• Marr Residence Management Board
• Municipal Planning Commission
• Remai Modern Art Gallery of Saskatchewan
• TCU Place Board of Directors
• Board of Revision (& Licence Appeal Board)

Interested in contributing, gaining valuable experience and expanding your network of contacts? Apply before 5:00 p.m. Monday, October 4, 2021.

Our boards and committees are stronger through diverse membership. In working together, we make Saskatoon a better city.

Check the full list of vacant positions, descriptions of the ways you can contribute, or to apply at saskatoon.ca/boards.

As the city continues to grow, so too does the need to ensure sufficient water supply to all neighbourhoods. Construction of an underground reservoir in Evergreen is underway, just to the south of the McOrmond Drive and Baltzan Boulevard intersection.

Once operational, the Northeast Reservoir will collect and store water from the City's Water Treatment Plant and distribute it to the surrounding neighbourhoods of Evergreen, Aspen Ridge and Willowgrove.

“The Northeast Reservoir will have a total capacity of 43 million litres, which is equivalent to approximately 17 Olympic sized swimming pools of water,” says Russ Munro, Director of Saskatoon Water. “The water will be stored underground, and the site will include a pump station surrounded by grass and trees.”

Saskatoon has three other reservoirs that help deliver water to surrounding neighbourhoods: the 42^nd Street Reservoir, the Avenue H Reservoir and the Acadia Drive Reservoir.

Construction on the Northeast Reservoir is expected to be complete in December of 2023.

For more information about the project, visit saskatoon.ca/reservoir.

Reduced speed limits in Saskatoon will be discussed at City Council’s Standing Policy Committee on Transportation meeting on Tuesday, September 7. The Administration recommends lowering the speed limit to 40 km/h on local and collector streets in residential areas. The Committee’s recommendation will be debated at the September 30 City Council meeting.

In 2018, City Council asked the Administration to develop a detailed framework for revising posted speed limits on neighbourhood streets.  Council members have received repeated concerns over speeding, and these concerns were also expressed at neighbourhood traffic review engagement events. A report with technical information and survey results from residents following a review of the issue was presented to the Standing Policy Committee on Transportation in June. The collision data and traffic safety best practices validate that lower speeds on residential streets will reduce the number of collisions and the seriousness of traffic-related injury and fatalities.

The majority (65%) of respondents from an open survey (14,970 respondents) prefer no change to the speed limit on all streets, whereas about half (52%) of a third-party supplemental survey (414 respondents from a cross-section of neighbourhoods and demographics) prefer a speed limit lower than 50 km/h on local streets in residential areas. 

The Administration prepared options for the Committee’s consideration after an extensive review of speed data on local and collector streets in Saskatoon’s residential neighbourhoods and a review of speed limits in other Canadian cities.

Once City Council makes a decision about changing speed limits, the Administration will present options for speed limits in school and playground zones, as well as areas of high concentration of seniors and dedicated neighbourhood bikeways. An overall implementation plan will follow based on the final direction from City Council.

Project information is available at saskatoon.ca/engage/speed-limit-review.

An information report being presented to the City of Saskatoon Transportation Committee on September 7, 2021, will outline the required extension to the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project timeline to ensure engagement on the system will be in-depth, inclusive and accessible. This extension is necessary due to the challenges presented by COVID-19 to the public engagement process, most notably the inability to meet with partners and stakeholders in person.

“The BRT project was unexpectedly impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic,” says Terry Schmidt, General Manager of Transportation and Construction. “Not being able to meet in person meant we were unable to meet our engagement principles of inclusivity and relationship building. We determined it was necessary to extend the launch date to June 2026 so we can gather the important public and staff input needed to ensure the BRT system meets the needs of our residents.”

Service launch of the BRT system was originally planned for June 2025. Public feedback is required on several areas about the planning and construction of the BRT network. It is expected that engagement opportunities will be available soon (dependent on pandemic restrictions and health orders) and will continue throughout the project. Interested residents can participate in the BRT process by signing up for the project enewsletter to stay informed about upcoming opportunities.

Visit saskatoon.ca/brt for more information on the BRT project.

The City of Saskatoon has released its 2021 Annual Report to the public having received the opinion of the external auditor. Per The Cities Act, the 2021 Audited Financial Statements and Reports were presented to City Council for information on Monday, August 29, 2022. The Annual Report containing the consolidated financial statements is the legally required public report of the City's finances.

“The 2021 Annual Report highlights the City’s progress on major projects and initiatives by business line, our achievements and ongoing priorities as set out in the Multi-Year Business Plan and Budget, and the City's financial position at the end of 2021,” says Clae Hack, Chief Financial Officer. 

“Against the ongoing challenges and the uncertainty of COVID-19 in 2021, we continued to find creative ways to be resilient and responsive in the delivery of our key civic services to the community,” says Hack. “We remain committed to ensuring residents receive value from the services and programs provided by local government, and from the investments made through their tax dollars.”

Financial highlights from 2021 show the City had:

• consolidated operating revenues of $1.08 billion and operating expenses of $892.3 million resulting in a net surplus of $186.7 million
• a strengthened accumulated surplus from $4.6 billion to $4.8 billion, an increase of 4.0% over 2020’s figures
• a 2.95% increase in overall Reserves from $208.7 million to $270.4 million
• a year-end deficit for tax-based operations before the transfer from the fiscal stabilization Reserve of $1.1 million, the same operating deficit that was reported to City Council at its meeting on April 25, 2022

Award-Winning Financial Reporting

For the 14^th consecutive year, the City of Saskatoon received the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) Canadian Award for Financial Reporting (2020). The 2021 Annual Report will be submitted to the GFOA for consideration for this year's award.

The City also had its S & P Global ‘AAA/ Stable’ credit rating reconfirmed for 2021 (and again in January for 2022 ), supported by the City’s cautious financial decision-making and willingness to explore innovative and alternative ways to fund, finance, deliver and make progress on important infrastructure projects.

Intending to be one of the best-managed cities in Canada, the 2021 Annual Report reflects the City’s ongoing dedication to continuous improvement, accountability to the public we serve, transparency and clarity in financial reporting.  

Visit saskatoon.ca/finance to view the 2021 Annual Report. Citizens may request an individually printed copy by emailing finance@saskatoon.ca.

A pair of size options to collect residential garbage at single family households will be presented to the Standing Policy Committee on Environment, Utilities & Corporate Services (EUCS) at its meeting Tuesday, September 6. The options are part of a report preparing the City’s move to a variable garbage cart utility in January 2024.

A variable black cart utility is a rate-based program where residents pay fees for the volume of waste they dispose and the services they receive based on the size of their garbage cart.

“While people are free to choose whatever they want, the volume-based rate structure is designed to encourage residents to divert as much waste as possible away from the landfill,” says Brendan Lemke, Director of Water and Waste Operations. “Residents with the largest garbage carts pay more and those with the smallest pay less.”  

The decision to fund both the garbage and organics services through payments on utility bills was approved October 18, 2021 by the Governance and Priorities Committee of City Council, at which time the Committee asked the Administration to evaluate the funding model and present options on timing, phase-in and affordability.

The two options up for discussion are:

• Option 1 (Recommended by Administration):
  • Three different garbage cart sizes would be available to residents upon request.
  • Residents would have a choice of cart sizes ranging from a 180 litre, 240 litre and the current 360 litre for year-round bi-weekly pick-up service.
  • This illustration compares the volume of the three black cart sizes. 

• Option 2:
  • Two different garbage cart sizes would be available to residents upon request -- the current large 360 litre and new medium 240 litre black cart for year-round bi-weekly pick-up service.

“Moving to a volume-based cart program will give residents choice based on their waste needs and it’s one of many components under the City’s Waste Reduction and Diversion Strategy to meet our waste diversion goals,” Lemke says. “We recommend Option 1 to City Council because it increases the customer’s control over their costs and provides financial incentives for waste diversion at a lower overall investment.”

The full report and attachments (appendix 1; appendix 2) can be found here.

For more information on waste and recycling, visit saskatoon.ca/wastediversion.

The City of Saskatoon will mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation as a statutory holiday on September 30, following unanimous approval of City Council at its meeting held last night, August 30.

“It is important that we show leadership in this area, to honour what we’ve heard from Survivors in our community about the impact of Indian Residential Schools,” says Mayor Charlie Clark. “Elders, Survivors and members of the Indigenous Community have been reaching out to non-Indigenous members about building a better future together, based on truth and reconciliation. By marking the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, we are recognizing how important this is in continuing our journey forward.” 

The Government of Canada passed legislation in June to make September 30 a federal statutory holiday for federally regulated workers in the public and private sector. Following Council approval, starting September 30, 2021, the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation will become a designated paid holiday for all City employees to recognize and commemorate the legacy of residential schools.

The federal government created this federal statutory holiday in response to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action number 80: to honour Survivors, their families, and communities, and ensure that public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component of the reconciliation process.

Unmarked graves at residential schools in Saskatchewan and across the country have raised awareness about the “truth” of residential schools. It is more important than ever to ensure that education and awareness continues and the honouring of residential school survivors and the children who did not make it home is done appropriately.

The City of Saskatoon continues to champion and implement the Truth and Reconciliation Calls to Action by working with community partners to ensure the City contributes to the collective movement. To support efforts to elevate the significance of September 30, the City is working with Reconciliation Saskatoon and other Indigenous organizations to develop messaging and tools to encourage people to take on their own Calls to Action, take up an initiative at their workplaces, encourage the community to read the Calls to Action and find out on how to get involved.

Also known as Orange Shirt Day, wearing orange on September 30 will continue to be a way to honour Indian Residential School Survivors, their families, and those who didn’t make it home. It’s a way to acknowledge the legacy of Indian Residential Schools, demonstrate a commitment to reconciliation, and affirm Every Child Matters.

For more information on activities and initiatives to support reconciliation and see civic services and holiday hours on September 30, visit saskatoon.ca.