News Releases

The arrival of warmer temperatures has allowed the City to get an early start on its microsurfacing work. Microsurfacing is a road surfacing treatment that preserves the roadway without the cost and inconvenience of full road replacement. It’s applied to weathered or worn surfaces that are structurally sound.

“Microsurfacing is one of those treatments that many residents don’t really like the look of when it’s first applied,” says Celene Anger, Director of Construction & Design. “It appears kind of rough and pebbly immediately after application. But, over time, it wears into a smooth and structurally sound surface that road users can appreciate.”

The City is undertaking microsurfacing at approximately 70 locations in 2018. Many of these locations are residential but there are some higher traffic routes that will also be treated including sections of the Sid Buckwold Bridge, Idylwyld Drive, and 51^st Street.  The work will be undertaken at night at those locations where the noise won’t be disruptive to area residents.

Microsurfacing is fast moving work that poses little interruption. In most locations, if weather cooperates and there are no unforeseen issues, contractors can be in and out of a location within a day or less.

More information about the 2018 Building Better Roads plan is available at saskatoon.ca/betterroads. You can also access Traffic Detour Service Alerts at saskatoon.ca/servicealerts or follow @YXEServiceAlert on Twitter.

It’s a new time and a new way forward for the City of Saskatoon. We’re moving to a new multi-year business plan and budget.  Rather than budgeting for one year at a time, residents can now expect to see a two-year business plan and budget created for 2020-2021. 

To get started, a new Civic Satisfaction & Performance Survey will kick off the first significant public engagement activity. This survey is the first of two, which along with other engagement activities, will ask residents for their input to be used in preparing our 2020-2021 Multi-Year Budget.

We value public input as an important part of the budget process and want to keep improving opportunities for residents to participate. To do that, the 2020-2021 Multi-Year Budget will create even more ways to help us better understand residents’ perceptions, views and priorities for the City. The goal is to include as many residents as possible by providing a variety of opportunities for people to participate, be heard and learn more.

This year, any resident can complete the Civic Satisfaction & Performance Survey online at saskatoon.ca/engage. The survey takes approximately 10 minutes. We hope to hear from you; tell us how we’re doing and how to improve. If preferred, a hard copy of the survey is available to print and submit to City Hall.  The Civic Satisfaction & Performance Survey is open until Sunday, July 29, 2018.

All public input collected this summer and fall will be compiled and presented to City Council in January 2019.  Your important feedback will be used throughout the year as we plan the 2020-2021 Multi-Year Budget. Watch for updates on what we heard after each survey closes.

The Saskatoon Fire Department would like to remind the community of safe practices for purchasing, enjoying, and disposing of fireworks. This Canada Day, Sunday, July 1^st, low-hazard fireworks can only be discharged on private property between the hours of dusk and 11:00 p.m.

Low-hazard fireworks are designed for public recreational use and include some roman candles and sparklers, among others, and travel less than 50m (160ft) high.

High-hazard fireworks are designed for professionals and can only be purchased by persons holding a valid Fireworks Supervisor – Level I or Level II card issued by Natural Resources Canada.

The Saskatoon Fire Department would like to remind residents and visitors of the risks and obligations associated with fireworks:

• Carefully read and follow the manufacturer instructions,

• Exercise increased caution when handling and discharging any type of firework,

• Choose your location wisely, noting that fireworks can only be discharged on private property,

• Ensure your location is free of overhead obstructions, is clear side-to-side, and is a safe distance from combustible materials,

• Familiarize yourself with the space requirements for the type of firework being discharged; requirements vary depending on the firework type,

• Be sure to properly stabilize the firework according to manufacturer direction, and

• Keep in mind that you are solely responsible for any debris that may land on your spectators or another’s property.

After dusk, when you are ready to discharge the fireworks, ensure that it is not windy, that everyone under the age of 18 is supervised by a parent or guardian, and that you always light the fuse at its tip. Other than sparklers, never light or hold a lit firework in your hand. Always have a water supply available when discharging fireworks.

Wait at least 30 minutes before beginning the clean-up process. At that time, it is a good idea to dispose of used fireworks and debris in a pail of water. Never try to relight or fix the fuse on fireworks that didn’t go off.

Always be extremely careful when discharging fireworks. The debris or smoldering embers could cause injuries, property damage, and/or fires.

The Saskatoon Fire Department wishes everyone a safe and happy Canada Day. Currently, there is no fire ban in effect for Saskatoon. It’s always recommended that residents and visitors celebrate at public firework displays that are hosted by a trusted organization; however, if you choose to celebrate Canada Day by sending off your own fireworks, please follow all safety practices, and only send them off between dusk and 11:00 p.m.

On June 25, 2018 City Council approved the recommendations to move forward with the development of a Pay-As-You-Throw (PAYT) waste utility and city-wide organics program, both projected to launch before the end of 2019.

“The decision by City Council to move forward with these programs is an important step toward better community-wide waste management,” says Brenda Wallace, Director of Environmental and Corporate Initiatives. “The associated improvement to our waste diversion performance  will save future generations the costs of building a new landfill and recover valuable resources that lead to jobs and economic growth from what has previously been simply wasted.”

Additional details of the recommendations can be found in the June 25, 2018 report to City Council (Recommended Changes to Waste Management in Saskatoon) and include:

• that organics be collected in a single green cart for co-mingled food and yard waste;
• that waste utility fees be based on cart sizes (lower prices for smaller carts);
• and that no changes be made to the existing recycling program.

“These recommendations were informed by more than 5,000 curbside residents who participated in our community engagement events and online survey. There was a wide spectrum of responses that will help us design better programs,” Wallace says. “We want the program to be an improvement over the current situation for everyone and considering fairness and equity for all demographics is an important part of the program design. Further details on how these programs meet affordability principles will be put forward in September.”

Administration will report on more details of the curbside PAYT and city-wide organics program in September 2018.  Administration is also engaging with the Multi-unit and Industrial, Commercial, and Institutional sectors, and will be tabling reports on how to manage and divert waste from these sectors throughout the rest of 2018.

For more information regarding curbside engagement results and the recommendations brought forward, visit: saskatoon.ca/engage/saskatoon-talks-trash-curbside

For more information on the City’s Waste Diversion Plan, visit: saskatoon.ca/wastediversion

Saskatoon Transit has chosen the winners of its first Student Art Contest. The contest was open to all grade 3 and 7 students in Saskatoon.

“In an effort to create a greater sense of community we decided to host a Student Art contest, where the winner’s artwork would be displayed on our buses throughout the summer,” said Jim McDonald, Director, Saskatoon Transit. “Working with both school boards, we decided grades 3 and 7 would be most appropriate based on the theme of Active Transportation.” 

Grade 7 students, Nimarta, Nicoletta, and Zehua from Sylvia Fedoruk School and Mrs. Liebrecht’s grade 3 class from College Park School are this year’s best of show winners. The winning pieces were chosen by a member of Paved Arts based on how well they reflected the “Active Transportation” theme.  These pieces were selected from 130 entries from 19 schools.

“The opportunity to share art with the community reinforces to children and youth the joy art brings to others,” said Lisa Fleming, Superintendent of Education for Saskatoon Public Schools. “Art creates a sense of belonging and appreciation for creative expression. Thank you to Saskatoon Transit for inviting our children to share their gifts with the greater community.”

The winning artwork will be displayed on the side of Saskatoon Transit buses travelling across Saskatoon for the months of July and August and will receive $375 from our prize sponsors, UFCW 248P & UFCW 649, My Private Wealth, and Galon Insurance.

“Both students and teachers had fun with this initiative,” said Scott Gay, Superintendent of Learning, Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools. “Anytime our partnerships can provide tools to teach students in a new and unique way, it helps keep the classroom environment interesting for students. And learning more about active ways to get around in our communities is positive from the perspectives of sustainability and health and wellness. It’s a win-win for everyone.”

“We hope to turn this contest into a tradition that helps promote the use of public transportation,” says Jim McDonald, Director of Saskatoon Transit. 

From now until the snow flies, men and women wearing reflective vests and hard hats will be working alongside drivers to complete as much maintenance, repair and construction as possible on roadways and other City infrastructure. The difference between these people and those who are driving, is the amount of protection they have in a collision.

“Our staff come to work for many reasons like all of us, but at the end of the day they look forward to going home and seeing their loved ones,” says Angela Gardiner, Acting General Manager of Transportation & Utilities. “Work zone signs and barriers are in place to let drivers know where they must not enter in order to keep these workers safe. It’s your responsibility as vehicle operator to watch for signs and respect work zones.”

Work zones are clearly marked with orange signs to show you're entering a road construction area and white signs showing the reduced speed limit. Drivers are required to slow to 60 km/h or whatever speed is posted when you enter the work area, and follow the directions of all signs in the zone. In residential areas, where the speed limit is 50 km/h, drivers are expected to slow down when passing workers.

“Fines double for speeding in a work zone and the Saskatoon Police Service will be watching for this,” says Saskatoon Police Service Traffic Unit Staff Sergeant Patrick Barbar. “Driving 20 km/h over the speed limit in a work zone will cost you $440 and 40 km/h over will cost $1008.”

The Saskatoon Police Service Traffic Unit will be patrolling various types of City work zones and workers are encouraged to report license plate numbers to the Saskatoon Police Service, which will follow up with the vehicle owner.

“Aside from people speeding past or driving through work zone barriers, our people report hearing threats and profanities from drivers,” says Gardiner. “Verbal and physical abuse of City and contractor workers is not acceptable and to stop this behaviour we will actively pursue court action to the extent of the law.”

The City is launching a public awareness campaign “At what cost?” to remind drivers that they put lives at risk when they are distracted or speed while passing construction work zones.

Visit saskatoon.ca/respectworkzones for more information.

The South Saskatchewan River is a constantly moving water course. Citizens and visitors experiencing the recent hot temperatures are reminded that Bylaw 4433 prohibits swimming in the South Saskatchewan River within city limits.

The Saskatchewan Water Security Agency also forecasted that water levels will drop by an average of one metre in the coming weeks.

“The South Saskatchewan River is unpredictable and dangerous,” says Assistant Chief Wayne Rodger. “With changing currents and water levels, both the bank edges and riverbed are considered extremely hazardous.  Obstacles such as fallen branches, broken concrete, and discarded debris can pose a threat to anyone or anything in or near the water.”

The Saskatoon Fire Department requests boaters taking to the water make certain the vessel is in good condition.  Boaters should practice what to do in the event of an emergency before going on the water, wear an approved personal floatation device, monitor weather conditions, leave a travel plan and obey all local laws and regulations.

Additionally, The South Saskatchewan River is equipped with a weir to alter the flow and discharge of water along the river; this barrier produces a powerful backwash of water that is capable of trapping objects and people.

The weir is not a recreational feature of the South Saskatchewan River, it must never be approached and should only be viewed from a safe distance.

In the event that you witness someone in distress in the river, the Saskatoon Fire Department would like to remind you of the following tips for helping others in distress:

• Call 911 immediately to report the incident, noting details about the individual, time, and situation
• Keep track of recognizable landmarks around the area where the individual was first seen in distress in the water
• Coach the individual from the shore edge on the below noted tips for water self-rescue

In the event that you are in distress in the river, the Saskatoon Fire Department would like to remind you of the following tips for water self-rescue:

• Stay calm; Don’t fight the current
• Keep your head above the water
• Move with the current as you work your way to the shore edge
• Remove any heavy or bulky clothing items

Always be cautious near larger bodies of water. In an emergency, call 911 immediately.

Major repairs are planned on Circle Drive over 33^rd Street this summer. Following the Canada Day weekend, the entire northbound overpass will undergo a two and a half month long rehabilitation.

“The northbound structure over 33^rd Street was built in the 1990s,” says Todd Grabowski, Manager of Asset Preservation for Bridges. “During the City’s annual deck testing program, we could see that it is at an age where proactive work is necessary to ensure it continues to serve its purpose for years to come.”

The rehabilitation project will include asphalt removal and replacement, and repairs to the deck and expansion joints, among other things. The work is extensive and will affect northbound traffic on Circle Drive. Southbound traffic will not be affected by the rehabilitation project.

“Beginning on July 3, drivers heading northbound on Circle Drive can expect delays at 33^rd Street, especially during the weekday morning peak times, as traffic will be reduced to one lane,” says Grabowski.

The lane reduction is expected to slow down northbound traffic on Circle Drive, but not completely stop it. Even so, it is expected that a significant number of drivers will divert to alternate routes, so the City will be adjusting traffic signals to accommodate drivers opting to detour or exit off the northbound ramp at 33^rd Street. 

Every day, approximately 20,000 vehicles pass over the northbound lanes of Circle Drive at 33^rd Street.   

A record crowd of over 4,000 people gathered today in Victoria Park for the third annual “Rock Your Roots” Walk for Reconciliation. The event kicked off at 10:00 a.m. with participants and groups coming together to celebrate their unique cultural heritage by holding or wearing traditional symbols of their culture or organizations.

The theme of the walk this year is “'Planting the Seed' - by walking together, we plant the seeds of reconciliation—honouring survivors and answering the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's Calls to Action as we grow a more inclusive community."

The walk culminated at 11:30 a.m. and joined up with National Indigenous People Day celebrations which included free lunch, special guest speakers, live entertainment and fun for the whole family hosted by the Saskatoon Indian & Métis Friendship Centre.

Last month, the Saskatoon Community Foundation made a four year commitment to the Rock Your Roots walk, providing funding through to 2021.

The “Rock Your Roots” Walk for Reconciliation is one of a number of events organized by Reconciliation Saskatoon, an 88 member initiative of organizations, non-profits, businesses and partners who have come together towards one mission: to initiate a citywide conversation about reconciliation and provide opportunities for everyone to engage in the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.

For more information, visit facebook.com/ReconciliationSaskatoon or www.otc.ca.  

The City of Saskatoon’s commitment to the TRC’s Calls to Action supports the City’s Corporate Strategic Goal of Quality of Life by identifying actions for enhancing Aboriginal well-being and participation in our community.

The North Commuter Parkway Bridge Naming Steering Committee announced “Chief Mistawasis” (miss-tuh-WAH’-sis) as the recommended name of the North Commuter Parkway Bridge.

“As we come together to celebrate National Indigenous Peoples Day in Victoria Park and get involved in “Rock Your Roots” Walk for Reconciliation it’s fitting that we have chosen to name the North Commuter Bridge after Chief Mistawasis to acknowledge the contributions of those who came before us and strived to create a better future,” said Harry LaFond, Executive Director, Office of the Treaty Commissioner.

The announcement was made prior to the kick-off of the Rock Your Roots Walk for Reconciliation and National Indigenous Peoples Day celebrations at Reconciliation Circle in Victoria Park today. The final recommendation for the name Chief Mistawasis to be applied to the bridge will be presented to City Council in August for formal approval.

“The process to bring us to this day has been one of learning and growth,” said Mayor Charlie Clark. “Reconciliation is a journey, and it is a journey that the City of Saskatoon is dedicated to continuing as we seek to bridge the divides within our community. Our Elders have been appealing to us to treat one another as relatives, which is a powerful starting place for building a stronger Treaty relationship for future generations. Thank you to the Elders, Survivors, the bridge naming committee and the entire community for the support and advice in our journey.”

Chief Mistawasis, also known as Pierre Belanger, was one of the most visionary northern plains Indigenous leaders. He was known in the Saskatoon area in hunting bison and played a major role in Treaty 6 negotiations in 1876.

“Prior to, and following Treaty No. 6, Chief Mistawasis was a bridge to changing times between people, communities and Nations,” said Chief Daryl Watson. “Today, Mistawasis Nêhiyawak follows Chief Mistawasis' legacy and belief in treaties, partnerships, alliances, friendships in sharing territories and all that Creator provides for us all.”

To celebrate this honour, Mistawasis Nêhiyawak will create an education campaign to tell the story of Chief Mistawasis’ role in moving Treaty 6 forward, in particular how he spoke for the people involved in the treaty, both First Nations and Métis, and his vision of the future.

Chief Mistawasis was one of over 400 names that were gathered from the community as part of an extensive community engagement exercise that began in July 2017. A key focus of the naming process was to educate the community on Indigenous people’s history, culture and contributions, which included the creation of four educational vignettes, school lesson plans and tool kits.

The community-led project responds directly to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action #79: Participate in a strategy to commemorate Aboriginal People’s history and contributions to Canada.

The North Commuter Parkway Bridge remains on schedule to open in October 2018.

The NCP Bridge Naming Committee consists of community leaders from the Office of the Treaty Commissioner, Central Urban Métis Federation Incorporated, Saskatoon Tribal Council, Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations and the City of Saskatoon.

Under the City of Saskatoon’s Strategic Goal of Quality of Life, this project supports the recognition of our built, natural, and cultural heritage.  The naming of civic facilities celebrates the history, environment, and outstanding contributions of our diverse community.