News Releases

Measuring pharmaceuticals in Saskatoon’s wastewater, diverting food from the landfill to save money and the planet, and improving property assessment appeals are some of the first research projects of the new Research Junction collaboration between the City of Saskatoon (City) and University of Saskatchewan (USask) researchers.

“It is incredible to see City employees and university researchers come together to solve problems and address such a wide variety of issues facing Saskatoon,” said Mayor Charlie Clark. “This helps us move forward as a community and shows how we can lead the country through collaboration to create the best results for our community and residents. As we work together on these projects, we can create real benefits and build a healthy, strong and sustainable future.”

Five projects have been awarded a total of $100,000 through the Research Junction Development Grant program, a jointly funded university-municipal research partnership announced in September of 2019.

“Through the power of research, these collaborative projects will address some tough challenges in our community,” said USask President Peter Stoicheff. “It is exciting to see from this list of approved projects the first concrete ways in which this strategic partnership will help build a better Saskatoon.”

The grants provide researchers with access to the City’s resources, data and expertise, and provide City staff with access to analyses and data resulting from the projects to inform decision-making. Projects funded through the initiative also create hands-on learning and research opportunities for USask students and post-doctoral fellows, helping them prepare for future careers. 

The first Research Junction projects funded are:

• Preventing food from going to waste. USask community health and epidemiology researcher Rachel Engler-Stringer will work with the City’s  community leadership and program development manager Katie Burns to find ways to prevent surplus food from food-based businesses from ending up in the landfill by studying and providing information to these businesses on how to donate. The Saskatoon Food Council will coordinate the project. The aim is to reduce the environmental impact of edible food ending up in the landfill. If all surplus food was reclaimed, it could divert 13,000 tonnes of food city-wide and save up to $138,000 worth of space per year at the City’s landfill.
• Improving municipal appeals. USask law professor Heather Heavin will collaborate with Alan Rankine a lawyer with the City Solicitor’s Office  to examine three high-volume, City-appointed tribunals (Board of Revision, Development Appeals Board, and License Appeal Board). The goal is to promote efficient and reliable City-appointed tribunals.
• Increasing demand for downtown living. USask urban planner Ryan Walker and city centre planner Brent McAdam will work with other USask researchers, the City’s urban design manager, and the executive director of the Saskatoon Downtown Business Improvement District to examine how downtown Saskatoon can be made a more attractive location in which to live.The team will study other cities and survey Saskatoon’s current, new and long-term downtown residents. The results will provide evidenced-based data to inform decisions on key proposals for the City’s future downtown development.
• Exploring municipal voting rights for permanent residents. USask political scientist Joe Garcea will collaborate with the City’s  diversity and inclusion consultant (immigration) April Sora to examine extending the right to vote in Saskatoon’s municipal elections to non-citizens who are Canadian permanent residents. Permanent residents already hold voting rights in New Zealand, Australia, and some countries in Europe. In recent years this issue has been explored by a few major cities in Canada.
• Measuring pharmaceuticals in Saskatoon’s wastewater.  USask toxicology researcher Markus Brinkmann, in collaboration with other researchers from USask’s Toxicology Centre and the College of Engineering, will work with City’s wastewater treatment plant operations manager Mike Sadowski to conduct comprehensive measurements of pharmaceuticals—antibiotics, pain killers, beta-blockers, hormone-like substances and others. The treated wastewater is discharged after an extensive treatment process from Saskatoon’s wastewater treatment plant into the South Saskatchewan River.
  Pharmaceuticals, while not officially regulated in wastewaters, have become an important class of wastewater elements that many treatment plants across Canada have worked to measure. By sampling water in the wastewater treatment plant and downstream in the river, the researchers will work to better understand and stay current with technology and new solutions to treat wastewater.

Two additional collaborative projects have also been awarded nearly $50,000 for research relating to homelessness in Saskatoon through a related program, “Pathways to Equity,” funded by an anonymous donor.

The Pathways to Equity projects are:

• Improving quality of life and reducing poverty through oral health. USask dental public health specialist Dr. Keith Da Silva and the Community-University Institute for Social Research (CUISR) led by co-directors USask professor emerita Isobel Findlay and the City’s senior planner Bill Holden, will examine access to dental care and how it may enhance quality of life for Saskatoon’s homeless population and those living in poverty. The ultimate goal is to reduce poverty by alleviating some social symptoms of poor oral health: lowered self-esteem, limited social interaction, and reduced employability.
• Reducing 2SLGBTQ Youth Homelessness. USask women and gender studies researcher Marie Lovrod will work with City housing analyst Michael Kowalchuk and OUTSaskatoon executive director Rachel Loewen Walker, a queer and sexuality studies specialist. This team will study the success of OUTSaskatoon’s Pride Home, a five-bed home for 2SLGBTQ youth. 2SLGBTQ youth are at high risk for housing insecurity and consequently have increased physical and mental health challenges. The aim of the project is to create an evidence-based model for reducing queer youth homelessness to be shared across Canada. 

Applications are now open for the 2020 Research Junction Development Grant to support research projects carried out by USask researchers in partnership with City of Saskatoon staff. The deadline is May 15, 2020.

For more information, visit research.usask.ca.

For the ninth year in a row, the City of Saskatoon has been selected as one of Saskatchewan’s 2020 Top Employers. The competition recognizes Saskatchewan employers that lead their industries in offering exceptional places to work, and this year took a special focus on initiatives that responded to our employee's desire to feel more connected, improve access to information and stay informed about what is going in our workplace

“This is an exciting time at the City. The refresh of our corporate values and the inclusion of People Matter is a commitment to continue work towards listening to our employees and providing them with a healthy, safe and engaged workplace,” says Chief Human Resources Officer Sarah Cameron. “By using our corporate values as the lens for how we work together, we’re creating a work environment where our employees have an opportunity to shine, where they are engaged and committed to delivering exceptional service to the citizens of Saskatoon.”

The City of Saskatoon was evaluated on eight criteria, the same used for the Canada Top 100 Employer’s competition: Physical Workplace; Work Atmosphere & Social; Health, Financial & Family Benefits; Vacation & Time Off; Employee Communications; Performance Management; Training & Skills Development; and Community Involvement.

“Over the past year, we made it a priority to better connect with our employees working in the field, away from a desk. Our new mobile-friendly intranet has allowed us to communicate valuable information and share timely corporate updates with all City employees regardless of where they work,” Cameron says. “In addition, we provided ongoing opportunities through our Leadership Connect Lunch Program and All-Employee Town Halls where employees at all levels could hear directly from senior leaders about important corporate initiatives, ask questions and provide feedback. These well-attended events reinforced our refreshed corporate purpose and values.”  

Employers are compared with other organizations in their field to determine which ones offer the most progressive and forward-thinking programs.

The Saskatchewan’s 2020 Top Employers are highlighted in today’s Saskatoon StarPhoenix and Regina Leader-Post. 

As we learn of Peter Zakreski's passing, my condolences go out to Elaine, the Zakreski family and all of those whose lives have been touched by Peter.

We have lost an incredible community builder. Peter Zakreski has left a legacy in Saskatoon that reflects so much of who we have become as a city. He has been central to life in sports, politics, business, philanthropy, arts, community safety, and more.

Peter's vision and impact went well beyond Saskatoon – most notably with the incredible efforts he made working so closely with Elaine on the Hope for Malawi  project.

In Peter's role as a nation builder, he was recognized as a Member of the Order of Canada.

Peter’s warmth and generosity were infectious. His partnership with Elaine and his devotion to family, friends, and the people who live here is remarkable.

Peter has also left a legacy with the many people whom he mentored. They are following in his footsteps by making a difference in community building and philanthropy.

We are a better community because of Peter’s leadership.

He will be missed.

Mayor Charlie Clark
 

Saskatoon’s Green Infrastructure Strategy (Strategy), which forms the vision, actions, initiatives and mapping for Saskatoon’s Green Network is now complete.

Green infrastructure creates a network of natural, enhanced, and engineered assets that protect, restore or enhance green space.  Saskatoon’s green spaces are under pressure from urban growth and increasing stress from climate-related impacts such as invasive pests, flooding, heat and drought.  When the quality of green space diminishes, ecosystem services such as fresh water, storm protection and air quality are at risk.

“As Saskatoon continues to grow and our climate changes, we must look to strengthen the Green Network by improving the condition of our green spaces, partnering with the community, and nurturing relationships between people and nature,” says Jeanna South, Director of Sustainability. “This Strategy outlines how, by integrating Green Infrastructure into the system of urban fabric and creating a comprehensive green network, Saskatoon can better provide resilient municipal and ecosystem services and high quality environments to live, work, learn and play.”

Through research, engagement, and analysis of the findings, the Strategy proposes a series of 15 actions, each with associated tasks for implementation. The next step for Saskatoon is the development of a Green Infrastructure Program to carry out the actions presented in the Strategy, including:

• Preparation of education material to promote understanding of the Green Network, including biodiversity and urban agriculture
• Collaboration with Meewasin to coordinate with their programs
• Review opportunities for community grants and incentives for green projects
• Green space management planning and engagement

The Green Infrastructure Strategy supports the Strategic Goals of Asset & Financial Sustainability, Quality of Life, Environmental Leadership, and Sustainable Growth. 

For a complete list of the 15 Strategy actions, to read the Strategy, or learn more about Saskatoon’s Green Network, please visit: saskatoon.ca/greeninfrastructure.

The City of Saskatoon has again received a favourable endorsement from S&P Global Rating Services, which today reconfirmed the City’s ‘AAA’ credit rating with a “stable” outlook.

“We’re pleased and excited to receive our ‘AAA’ rating today,” says Kerry Tarasoff, Chief Financial Officer. “This year’s introduction of the City’s first Multi-Year Business Plan & Budget Planning process has supported our fiscal transparency, and our ongoing commitment to improve our financial management practices as we plan for Saskatoon’s future.”

Noting Saskatoon’s diverse economy and observing the City’s “strong operating surpluses and financial management,” S&P Global Rating Services today reaffirmed ‘AAA’ long-term issuer credit and senior unsecured debt ratings on the City with an outlook that is ‘stable’.

Key points within the February 4, 2020 S&P Ratings Direct® Report are:

• The City’s management team is described as “experienced and qualified to effectively enact fiscal policies and respond to external risks.”
• “Management accountability is strong and financial policies are prudent.”
• The City’s has a “lengthy track record of passing budgets before the start of the fiscal year with minimal variations from budgeted revenues.”
• With “exceptional levels of liquidity, (the City’s) debt burden is expected to remain around current low levels of just under 40% of consolidated revenues.”
• Saskatoon’s strong economy has supported “budgetary balances leading to large operating surpluses more than sufficient to fund (the City’s) capital agenda.”

“Maintaining the City’s ‘AAA’ rating is important as it supports our confidence in our budgetary decisions for Saskatoon’s bright future with continued and steady growth,” Tarasoff says. “We remain confident in our ability to minimize debt as we undertake long-term planning for infrastructure to support our great quality of life in Saskatoon.”

The full report entitled “City of Saskatoon Ratings Affirmed At ‘AAA’; Outlook Remains Stable” is available on the City’s website saskatoon.ca.

Approximately 400 properties in the Sutherland neighbourhood experienced a water outage and lower water pressure in the evening of February 3, following an issue with the primary water main on 102nd Street W at O’Neil Crescent. These properties are on a Precautionary Drinking Water Advisory issued by the Water Security Agency and Saskatchewan Health Authority and should boil their water until notified.

There were two separate water main breaks that caused the water distribution system in the area to depressurize. The water main breaks occurred on 102nd Street W at O’Neil Crescent, and Packham Avenue affecting approximately 400 properties south of 108th Street W. 

The water was restored to all properties; however, there could be some localized water outages as crews tackle the repair to the individual water main breaks.

“We thank everyone for their patience as we work as quickly as possible to restore water service,” says Trent Schmidt, Acting Director of Water & Waste Operations. “This is the time of year when the frost is gets closer to the depth of our water pipes and we can notice an increase in breaks, unfortunately.”

Crews are flushing out the water system this morning, which could carry into tomorrow due to the size of the area affected. Following flushing, water testing can take another 48-72 hours to confirm the drinking water quality is achieved. Affected properties will receive a green Drinking Water Advisory Lifted Notice when the water quality tests confirm it is safe to drink.

Properties affected are reminded to review the white letter from the Water Security Agency and Saskatchewan Health Authority, and the yellow door hanger from the City delivered to their front door for instructions. Learn more at saskatoon.ca/drinkingwater.

City and CUPE Local 59 reach tentative contract deal

The Bargaining Committees for the City of Saskatoon and CUPE Local 59 reached a tentative agreement on January 24, 2020.

The term of the tentative deal is for four and one-half years expiring on June 30, 2023. Details of the settlement will be released upon ratification by both parties.

The ratification process will begin the first week in February.

CUPE Local 59 is the largest collective bargaining unit of City employees.

Following the direction of City Council, negotiations on possible locations for a new Downtown Event and Entertainment District continue to move forward.

“As one of the most significant projects the City is likely to undertake in the next decade, we are investing significant efforts to ensure pre-planning and site analysis is thoroughly completed,” says Dan Willems, Director of Technical Services.

"This file is extremely active and we are currently working with landowners and key stakeholders,” says Willems.

An Information Report will be presented to City Council at its meeting on Monday, January 27, 2020. In the report, Administration provides an update on the site selection process for a Downtown Event and Entertainment District, which includes:

• Researching best practices and reviewing the experience of other cities in developing comparable downtown event entertainment districts;

• Engaging the services of two external advisory firms with experience in the development of arena/convention centre/entertainment districts to gain insight into aspects such as site design, patron access, site access (loading/unloading, etc.) and other technical considerations that will influence the feasibility of potential sites; and,

• Negotiating with owners of potential private sites, in addition to assessing all potential sites on City-owned property. 

As negotiations have progressed, it has become evident that additional time will be required to sort out the necessary details to secure land and achieve an agreeable outcome for all parties before public communications on the potential sites can occur.

Once negotiations with private site owners have progressed further, Administration will report back to City Council on the preferred site options and recommended public engagement strategy.

“The public will be able to provide input on all sites that were considered reasonable options before Council is asked to formally approve a preferred location for a future event and entertainment district,” Willems says.

Information will be available on saskatoon.ca later in the year with details on how the public can get involved.