News Releases

The Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo (Zoo) is working with the Australian Dingo Foundation and the Oakvale Wildlife Park in Australia to bring two dingo pups to the Zoo this spring.

“We are just making the final arrangements before these pups start their journey to Canada,” says Tim Sinclair-Smith, Zoo Manager. “This is a great opportunity for us to bring some exciting new animals to Saskatoon, allowing visitors of all ages to meet dingoes, most likely for the first time.  It is also a great way to enhance our conservation, research, and education opportunities at the Zoo.”

Known as Australia’s wild dog, dingoes roam great distances and communicate with wolf-like howls.  They can live a solitary life or be part of a pack.  Truly pure dingoes are extremely rare due to interbreeding with domestic and feral dogs that were brought to Australia by European settlers.  The majority of their diet is wallaby and kangaroo, but they will also pursue small game such as rabbits and rodents and eat fruits and plants. Dingoes are naturally lean animals weighing approximately 14 kg and their coats are commonly a golden yellow with white markings on their chest, feet and tail tip.

The dingoes will be taking over the previous wolf enclosure across from the Meerkat House at the Zoo. Renovations for the new Dingo Habitat are expected to start in April with new habitat opening this spring.

The Zoo is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. until the end of April, and from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. starting in May.  Additional information regarding the Zoo can be found at saskatoon.ca/zoo.

The Senator Sid L. Buckwold Bridge will undergo a major rehabilitation beginning on Monday April 15, 2019. To minimize the impact on traffic and eliminate the need for a full bridge closure, the work will happen in two phases.

“The first phase will begin on the lanes leaving downtown and work will continue throughout the summer of 2019,” says Todd Grabowski, Manager of Asset Preservation for Bridges. “In the spring of 2020, the second phase of work will begin on the lanes heading into downtown and continue through the 2020 construction season.” 

Over the next two years, the Senator Sid Buckwold Rehabilitation project will include:

• Deck repairs and asphalt replacement
• Resurfacing of the Idylwyld Drive ramps over 19^th Street 
• Strengthening of piers
• Barrier replacement
• Walkway widening with taller barriers for improved pedestrian protection
• New drainage system to help better traction by reducing puddles and splashing

The City’s preservation plan, with the results of the Deck Testing Program, identified the need to rehabilitate the Senator Sid Buckwold Bridge to ensure it remains safe, serviceable and structurally sound for years to come.

“Allowing deficiencies to worsen over time would accelerate the need for a more extensive rehab or even full replacement, which is far more expensive, time consuming and disruptive,” Grabowski says.

Two-way traffic will be maintained during both phases of the project however there will be lane restrictions and as a result, traffic delays are expected.

This summer, the lanes leaving downtown will be closed and that traffic will be diverted to the other side. The walkway will stay open. During the 2020 construction season, the lanes heading into downtown will be closed, traffic will flip to the other side and the bridge walkway will be closed.  The Meewasin Trails on either side will stay open throughout the project with the possibility of temporary disruptions on the Rotary Park side during some phases to allow for repairs.

Necessary adjustments will be made to traffic signal timing, construction signage will be in place and restrictions will be advertised. The latest project information will be posted at Saskatoon.ca/sidbuckwold and restrictions will be listed in the Daily Road Report.

*For further clarification, two sentences have been added highlighted in italics below.

City Council, at its regular business meeting held on March 25, 2019 voted to pursue a moderate phase-in option as presented by the Administration regarding the implementation of the curbside organics program and funding for existing waste services.  

Option 2: Moderate Phase-In was presented as follows: 

• 2020 - 1.0% Property Tax Increase - No change to current waste services.
• 2021 - 1.0% Property Tax Increase - No change to current waste services.
• 2022 - 1.0% Property Tax Increase - No change to current waste services.
• 2023 - 0.93% Property Tax Increase - First year of curbside organics program. New waste service level (bi-weekly collection in summer).

This option attempts to balance financial investment with a view towards achieving the City’s waste diversion target. The first 1.53% (approximately $3M) of the 2020 and 2021 Property Tax impact is solely dedicated to addressing the funding deficit in the Waste Program while the remaining estimated 2.4% will go towards a new curbside organics program. The City will continue to seek alternative funding sources on an annual basis to reduce this impact. Precise timing for the deployment of the curbside organics program in 2023 would be determined by the terms of the successful proposal from the organics RFP process. 

“We will now focus on developing the implementation plan for the curbside organics program,” says Dan Willems, Acting Chief Strategy & Transformation Officer. “We look forward to providing this new service to residents in 2023 and making strides towards our waste diversion target.” 

The detailed report and all of its attachments can be found here. 

The City’s Neighbourhood Traffic Review (NTR) program has been selected as the 2019 recipient of the Exceptional Engineering/Geoscience Project Award by the Association of Professional Engineers and Geoscientists of Saskatchewan (APEGS). The award recognizes accomplishments in engineering and/or geoscience.

The NTR program, established in 2014, addresses transportation related concerns like speeding and pedestrian safety on a neighbourhood-wide basis. The City works collaboratively with neighbourhood residents to develop recommendations for improvement.

“Prior to the program, we addressed traffic concerns on a case by case basis, which was not sustainable and issues were not always addressed in a timely fashion,” says Jay Magus, Acting Director of Transportation. “This award recognizes the engineering accomplishments of the team that deliver the NTR program are a significant achievement.”  

Neighbourhood meetings, data collection, traffic reviews and recommendations are typically completed within a year. Recommended traffic calming measures are installed on a temporary basis to determine their effectiveness.

Since 2014, the NTR program has:

• Completed 50 neighbourhood traffic reviews (11 neighbourhoods are scheduled for 2019)
• Held 90 community meetings to develop transportation plans
• Made nearly 1,100 recommendations for transportation related improvements
• Spent $4,062,000 on traffic calming measures, pedestrian safety devices and program delivery

The City would like to thank residents, the Saskatoon Police Service, Community Associations, School Boards and Great Works Consulting for their partnerships.

The Transportation Engineering team will accept the award at the APEGS Awards Banquet in May.

The City welcomes a decision of the provincial government to place further restrictions on social gatherings.

“Based on discussions with our Director of Emergency Management, City Council and Senior Administration I gave notice for a Special City Council meeting at 3:30 this afternoon,” says Mayor Charlie Clark.  “This was done in anticipation of needing to take further steps in addressing the growing concern that as we try to reduce the risk of spread of COVID-19, gathering in restaurants and bars was an ongoing risk in our community.

“Based on the announcement today by the provincial government that additional restrictions for bars and restaurants will be included in the Provincial State of Emergency restrictions, the Special City Council meeting is cancelled."

“We thank the Province for providing leadership with this difficult decision,” Mayor Clark says. “We know it has significant impacts on many local businesses”

Mayor Clark adds this decision will meet the local advice he is hearing from the City’s Emergency Management team about what is needed to keep our community as safe as possible at this time. 

Director of Emergency Management Organization Pamela Goulden-McLeod echoes Mayor Clark’s sentiment.

“The Saskatoon Emergency Management Organization would like to thank the Province of Saskatchewan for their leadership and direction in enacting the extended measures to support our provinces safety during this unprecedented event,” Goulden-McLeod says.

“The provincial government’s bravery in taking these extraordinary measures will make a significant difference within our communities. We value the hard work of our provincial partners and we continue to look forward working together in this ongoing rapidly changing situation.” 

While the City of Saskatoon acknowledges the severity of the COVID-19 virus and the impact it is having on the community, the City and its construction partners will proceed as planned with the construction on the east half of the Sid Buckwold Bridge and the Idylwyld Drive ramps over 19^th Street.

This project is an essential service to residents and core City infrastructure. With a very limited window for construction projects of this magnitude, it is important that such work is completed safely and in the most ideal seasonal conditions. Construction is scheduled to begin on Monday, March 30. 

“Safety for our crews and for residents is our number one priority during this project,” says Rob Frank, Engineering Manager of Asset Preservation. “Strict worksite restrictions, social distancing, and other precautionary medical measures will be in place to protect both construction crews and residents and to mitigate the spread of the COVID-19 virus.”

Major rehabilitation began on the 54-year-old structure last year to ensure it remains safe and structurally sound for years to come. Two-way traffic will be maintained throughout construction, however lane restrictions and traffic delays are expected.

From March 30 until mid-October, the northbound lanes heading into downtown will be closed and two-way traffic will be accommodated in the southbound lanes. The bridge walkway and stairs will also be closed for construction. The Meewasin trails will remain open, however there may be a closure directly under the south side of the bridge for a portion of the construction season.

The Sid Buckwold Bridge rehabilitation project includes:

• Resurfacing of the Idylwyld Drive ramps over 19^th Street 
• Walkway widening with taller barriers for improved pedestrian protection
• New drainage system to help better traction by reducing puddles and splashing
• Concrete deck repairs and asphalt replacement
• Strengthening of piers
• Barrier replacement

The City’s preservation plan, with the results of the Deck Testing Program, identified the need to rehabilitate the bridge. The project was phased over two years to allow two-way traffic over the bridge to be maintained throughout construction.

Necessary adjustments will be made to traffic signal timing and construction signage will be in place. The left turn onto 20^th Street from Idylwyld Drive northbound will not be permitted, however a U-turn will be implemented at Auditorium Avenue. Updated project information is posted at Saskatoon.ca/sidbuckwold and restrictions will be listed in the Daily Road Report.

The City of Saskatoon is utilizing $15 million of its federal Gas Tax Fund (GTF) allocations towards the Sid Buckwold Bridge rehabilitation project. The GTF in Saskatchewan is administered by the Saskatchewan Ministry of Government Relations.

The City thanks drivers and pedestrians for their patience while this necessary work is carried out. 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. 

We are constantly reassessing pandemic developments to ensure the safety and well-being of staff and citizens.  We have also continued to reassess the way we deliver public services to keep staff and residents safe when we are out in the community.

Transit fare suspension and rear door boarding effective Friday, March 20

To reduce the risk to Transit Operators during the COVID-19 pandemic, starting Friday, Saskatoon Transit will ask riders to get on and off buses by using the rear doors. Transit also reminds riders to keep a safe distance — at least one metre — from bus operators and fellow riders.

As a result, the City will also be suspending fares indefinitely.  The City will be determining how to compensate those affected by this and those details will be provided soon.

Anyone who requires personal mobility devices will be exempt from entering the rear doors and will be permitted to enter and exit through the front doors as usual.

Please note: all riders will be required to stay behind the front wheel wells and to keep the seats behind the operator free at all times. This measure will meet the new recommendation for social distancing released by the Province of Saskatchewan on Wednesday March 18.  Transit will also monitor where and when extra buses may need to be added onto routes to help people maintain appropriate social distance.

Saskatoon Transit is also reassuring customers of Transit’s daily cleaning protocols, which include regular hard surface wipe-downs with hospital-grade disinfectant and disinfectant misting treatments.

Parking Restrictions for Residential Parking Program Zones Suspended

Effective immediately parking restrictions for the Residential Parking Program zones are suspended until further notice.  In addition, overtime parking on all residential streets will no longer be enforced, to encourage residents to stay home and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Public safety-related parking restrictions remain in effect to maintain emergency access and traffic flow including:

• "No Stopping" signs
• "No Parking" signs
• "Accessible Parking" signs
• Fire Hydrants (maintain 1 metre from the centre of a fire hydrant)
• No parking within 10 metres of an intersection
• No parking in alleys unless active loading/unloading is taking place.

Further details on these parking restrictions are provided on the City of Saskatoon website: saskatoon.ca/moving-around/parking/understanding-parking-saskatoon

Building Standards

The decision to close City Hall to the public has a direct effect on the way we do business, including providing building inspections and permits:

• All building and plumbing inspections are suspended while the City explores options to provide inspections in a safe manner.
• Residential applications are limited to online.
• Property Information Disclosure (PID) applications accepted via building.standards@saskatoon.ca
• Plumbing permit applications accepted via plumbing.permits@saskatoon.ca
• Payments will be accepted via telephone at 306.975.2645.
• New commercial permit applications will not be accepted. The City is exploring opportunities to provide online access to this program.

As the situation is evolving, we will update the Building Standards webpages regularly if there are service limitations.

Questions? Reach out to our permit file support team by calling (306) 975-2645 Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

What is the City doing to provide financial relief for citizens?

To offer assistance and best service to citizens experiencing the effects of the economic impact due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City is committed to providing increased flexibility and immediate short-term relief for your utility payments through the following changes:

Utility Services

We will continue to bill for utility services as normal.  However, to best serve the City’s customers in these extraordinary times, the City has made the following changes to current utility collections activities:

• Utility disconnections due to arrears will be suspended until September 30, 2020;
• Late payment charges will be suspended on all utility accounts until September 30, 2020; and
• We will continue to generate utility bill reminders and other related notices for customers who are in arrears to keep them informed of their current situation.

These measures are aimed at providing financial relief for customers who may not be able to afford to pay their bills on time.  By suspending late payment charges, utility customers will have the option to delay bill payments without putting themselves in additional financial hardship.  However, our staff will continue to work with the City’s utility customers regarding payment arrangements so as to not leave them in a difficult financial situation in the future.

Delaying disconnections will help ensure that all homes have access to water, allowing for proper handwashing and personal hygiene.

Have utility-related questions? Please call our Revenue Customer Service Representatives at 306-975-2400. We understand and will work with you.

2020 Property Taxes

Your 2020 Property Tax notice will be delivered by the end of May 2020.

To offer assistance and best service to citizens experiencing the effects of the economic impact due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City is committed to providing increased flexibility and immediate short-term relief for your 2020 Property Tax payment. On your notice, your 2020 Property Tax due date will still show as June 30, 2020. However:

• The City is extending to you, a three-month grace period, allowing you additional time to pay your 2020 Property Tax amount due.
• You will not incur any penalties on your 2020 taxes if your property tax payment is made in full before September 30, 2020.

Have property tax-related questions? Please call our Revenue Customer Service Representatives at 306-975-2400. We understand and will work with you.

Updates will continue to be provided at saskatoon.ca/covid-19 and at saskatoonpolice.ca

The City of Saskatoon is closing to the public all its facilities including City Hall; this follows the provincial government declaration of a public emergency for COVID-19 (coronavirus).

“While we are closed to the public, our business operations will continue to provide essential services for our residents as much as possible,” says City Manager Jeff Jorgenson.

Jorgenson says this move is an important preventative measure. It will help slow the rate of COVID-19 infection in Saskatoon and protect City staff, as well as vulnerable populations, which include seniors and people with compromised immune systems.

The City reminds the public that we offer many online services which are listed at: www.saskatoon.ca/onlineservices

“We continue to work with internal and external partners, including the Saskatchewan Health Authority, the Ministry of Health and the Public Health Agency of Canada on a proactive approach to deal with COVID-19,” Jorgenson says. 

The City continues to thank its staff and citizens for their patience and support. Jorgenson says as City leaders continue to respond to a rapidly evolving situation meanwhile promising to provide information as it becomes available.
The provincial health ministry encourages everyone to be mindful of good hand hygiene, cough etiquette and social distancing. For those who have risk factors such as old age, or underlying health issues, medical experts encourage those people to stay away from crowded areas.

The City of Saskatoon continues to encourage the community to reach out to those most vulnerable to COVID-19 and to those organizations that assist with our vulnerable homeless population.  

We are constantly reassessing the situation to ensure the safety and well-being of staff and residents.  We will also continue to reassess the way we deliver services to the public in order to keep staff and residents safe when we are out in the community.

Updates will continue to be provided at saskatoon.ca/covid-19 and at saskatoonpolice.ca