News Releases

After years of detailed study, planning, and community engagement, the city’s Bus Rapid Transit lines have been revealed.

“This is a major move toward the implementation of our Plan for Growth,” says Lesley Anderson, Director of Planning and Development.  “The future transit system is key to providing viable options for people to move around and supporting transit-oriented development along some of the city’s major corridors.  This plan presents us with a view of our future transit system in much greater detail than we have seen before.  Our goal is to design a system that works for Saskatoon – so join the conversation!”

“There are notable changes to the preferred route configuration presented in November,” Anderson says.  She explains that this includes the introduction of a “Green Line,” necessary to accommodate the split in the former “Red Line.”

Formerly the northern component of the Red Line servicing University Heights, the new Green Line will stretch from University Heights, through the Downtown, terminating at Confederation Mall.  This third line will parallel the Red Line for much of its length, improving the frequency along 22^nd Street, through the Downtown, and along College Drive, while making the overall system easier to understand for users.

Anderson adds the plan provides further details about:

• how a new BRT system will function;
• identifying station design options;
• platform locations; and
• configuration of dedicated runningways.

She says the plan also includes a strategy for how the rest of the transit system could be reconfigured to align with BRT; provide high-quality, direct, and frequent transit connections; and better expand to meet the future needs of a city with a population of 500,000..

“I am excited about the opportunities this system will provide our city,” says Jim McDonald, Director of Saskatoon Transit.  “This will help us encourage transit-oriented development that meets the growing needs for our city.  Change is needed to ensure the success of our future system, but it will be done incrementally and thoughtfully, in partnership with the community.”

The proposed plan, along with a summary of stakeholder and public input, will be presented to City Council for consideration and approval later this spring.

Background:
At its April 25, 2016 meeting, Saskatoon City Council approved, in principle, the Growth Plan to Half a Million, which includes plans for a re-envisioned transit system based around BRT and infill at strategic locations in the city, including the Downtown, the University of Saskatchewan endowment lands, and along major transportation corridors.  Following this approval, the City created a Ten-Year Action Plan to advance a number of the core initiatives identified in the Growth Plan to Half a Million.

The City and the Government of Canada will share in a total contribution of $7.65 million through the Public Transportation Infrastructure Fund for a number of the Plan for Growth projects, including:

• Transit Plan – includes BRT and Transit System Plan Implementation
• Corridor Growth
  • Transit Villages Concept Plans
  • Corridor Planning Program
  • Brownfield Renewal Strategy

For more information/to sign up for project updates, please visit saskatoon.ca/growth.  Learn more about engagement opportunities by visiting saskatoon.ca/engage.

Saskatoon firefighters want to remind everyone river ice is dangerous for people and pets alike.

The Saskatoon Fire Department has had to respond to a number of emergencies which have involved dogs in distress on river ice.

“Since 2011, firefighters have responded to ten emergencies that involved dogs in the river during the winter months – that’s over one a year on average,” says Assistant Chief Wayne Rodger. “So far this year the Saskatoon Fire Department has been called out to two such emergencies.”

Rodger points out moving water in the river introduces an inherent structural weakness to the ice and is one of the main reasons firefighters always warn people to stay off river ice throughout the winter season.

“Ice will weaken when water is moving above or below the ice surface,” Rodger says.  “River currents and temperatures constantly affect the quality of the ice on the river making it unstable and dangerous.”

The Saskatoon Fire Department again reminds residents to never go on the river ice and whenever possible, to maintain contact and control of dogs in off-leash areas near the river.

To move towards 70% waste diversion, residents are invited to participate in a series of engagement activities that will assist the City in redesigning the curbside waste collection system.

“Decisions about how we manage the waste-stream will impact all current and future residents. It’s important we get this right.” says Brenda Wallace, Director of Environmental and Corporate Initiatives. “The City wants to hear from a large cross-section of curbside customers including people of all ages, people living in different areas, people of various incomes, people in different types of housing and people with differing abilities. Everybody is encouraged to get involved.”

Wallace says three-quarters of what goes into Saskatoon’s Landfill could be diverted with the right programs, policies and citizen participation rates.

“Redesigning the curbside waste collection program to help make waste diversion more attractive behaviour-- while building a sustainable funding model for waste -- is critical to extending the life of the landfill,” Wallace says.

She adds the costs to close the existing landfill and establish a new landfill are estimated at $26 million and $100 million respectively.

Beginning February 12, the City will host a series of public engagement sessions, workshops and surveys to look at priorities, preferences and any barriers that might impact a redesigned curbside collection system.

The scope of the project includes: a review of the current containers and collection frequency for garbage and recycling; development of a variable-rate utility for waste; introduction of a residential city-wide composting program; and evaluation of depots and other waste services.

For more information, including dates and location of activities, visit www.saskatoon.ca/yxetalkstrash.

Community discussions with multi-unit and business stakeholders will begin in the spring of 2018.  

More work has determined that hydrocarbons have not been detected beyond seven fire hydrants in a small area of the Aspen Ridge neighbourhood; even so, the Water Security Agency (WSA) Do Not Use Notice for just over a dozen homes remains in effect.

“This is very encouraging,” says Russ Munro, Acting General Manager of Transportation and Utilities. “We are now in a position where we can get residents back to a normal routine by installing above-ground temporary water lines.”

The WSA issued the Notice on January 10th after hydrocarbons were visually detected in some fire hydrants within one section of the neighbourhood.

So far, the City’s investigation has revealed no signs of hydrocarbons beyond the hydrant structures. The residential water supply continues to test clean and clear.

“We dug up pipes and looked; we removed water meters and looked and there was no sign of hydrocarbons in either,” Munro says. “Even though tests in the home have come back clear, we simply do not take any chances with water quality. The Do Not Use Notice will remain in effect until the water quality is fully restored.”

The City replaced all the water meters in the affected area and the temporary water line installations are scheduled to happen in about two weeks. Until then, residents in about 10 affected homes will continue to receive bottled water.

The City has also arranged to suspend water billing for the affected properties as of January 10th.

The Do Not Use Notice does not extend to laundry and toilets – those uses are allowed.

To promote winter fun in Saskatoon, a WinterCityYXE pilot program has brought two unique warming huts from The Forks in Winnipeg.

The warming huts can be found at the Nutrien Wintershines Festival from Saturday, January 27 to Sunday, February 4 and the Kôna – Wanuskewin Winter Festival on Saturday, February 10. After that, the warming huts will be on the riverbank at two locations until early March:  Spadina Crescent and Oxford Street, and Spadina Crescent and Avenue D.

Residents and visitors are encouraged to share their experiences with the warming huts by emailing wintercityyxe@saskatoon.ca.

For more information, including the design of the warming huts and a full calendar of winter activities in Saskatoon, visit saskatoon.ca/wintercityyxe. To have an event or activity added to the WinterCityYXE calendar, please contact us at wintercityyxe@saskatoon.ca.

The City and Thunderchild First Nation have cleared a path to designate the First Nation’s Retro Petro Gas Station and Convenience Store at the corner of Idylwyld Drive and 33rd Street as an urban reserve.

Mayor Charlie Clark and Chief Delbert Wapass, along with the Council of Thunderchild First Nation, today signed the agreements at a special meeting of City Council.

“I want to thank Thunderchild First Nation for choosing to invest in our community with the development of the Retro Petro and the establishment of an urban reserve at this busy Saskatoon intersection,” says Mayor Charlie Clark.  “Our long history of establishing urban reserves has proven the shared benefits they bring in investment, job creation, and services that benefit the Indigenous community and all citizens of the community.  Tangible partnerships like these are meaningful steps in the journey of Reconciliation.”

The agreement will address:

• services the City will provide;
• service fees Thunderchild First Nation will pay the City in lieu of property taxes; and
• compatible land-use and development standards. 

“We are very excited to finally conclude the urban reserve process with the City of Saskatoon,” says Chief Delbert Wapass.  “This would not be possible without the prayers and support of our Elders/membership and the hands-on support of our Mayor Charlie Clark and his Council.  Today is a good day and the beginning of a new chapter in Thunderchild First Nation’s road to economic sovereignty.”

Decisions on reserve designation are made by the federal government.  If the property is designated as a reserve, it would become the sixth urban reserve in Saskatoon.  When a property transfers to reserve status, it is no longer under City jurisdiction.

For more information on urban reserves, please visit saskatoon.ca/urbanreserves.

About Thunderchild First Nation
​Thunderchild First Nation is an independent Cree First Nation whose home reserve is located approximately 200 kilometres northwest of Saskatoon near Turtleford, Saskatchewan.  A signatory of Treaty No. 6, Thunderchild First Nation has 2,800 members.  Approximately 1,300 members reside on the home reserve, and 1,500 members live in other communities throughout the province.  

It is time to say farewell to Thorn and Shruikan as the Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo (Zoo) begins preparations for the Komodo dragons to return to the Calgary Zoo.

The Komodo Island Exhibit opened to the public on April 1, 2017, giving visitors an opportunity to learn more about Komodo dragons while also getting an up-close look at these larger-than-life lizards.

Although the Komodo Island Exhibit was only a temporary home for the dragons, Thorn and Shruikan settled into the Zoo family quite well.

“The dragons were a great addition to our collection, and it has been amazing to watch them grow over the past year,” said Tim Sinclair-Smith, Zoo Manager.  “When the dragons first arrived, Thorn weighed 21.40 kg while Shruikan weighed 23.25 kg.  Since then, the dragons have grown to be 32.25 kg and 31.00 kg respectively.”

The Zoo invites everyone to come and see the Komodo Island Exhibit one last time before it closes on Thursday, February 15, 2018.  The Zoo is open daily from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. and admission is by donation until March 31.

Additional information regarding the Zoo can be found at saskatoon.ca/zoo.

The City is proud to be recognized as one of the province’s top employers for 2018, and to be selected among the top employers for the seventh year in a row. Enhancing workplace culture is our Strategic Goal as an employer dedicated to continuous improvement, diversity and inclusion.

“We recognize our people are the driving force behind an outstanding level of service in all divisions”, says Dan Willems, Acting General Manager of Corporate Performance. “Our employees continue to set the bar higher each year, and it only adds to that positive performance we are taking forward into the future.”

The City of Saskatoon was evaluated on eight criteria, the same used for the Canada Top 100 Employer’s competition:

1. Physical Workplace
2. Work Atmosphere & Communications
3. Financial Benefits & Compensation
4. Health & Family-Friendly Benefits
5. Vacation & Personal Time Off
6. Employee Engagement
7. Training & Skills Development
8. Community Involvement

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

Saskatchewan’s Top Employers 2018 are highlighted in the January 24, 2018 editions of the Saskatoon StarPhoenix and Regina Leader-Post. 

The international rating agency S&P Global (formerly Standard and Poor’s Rating Services) has reconfirmed the City of Saskatoon’s ‘AAA’/Stable credit rating, based on the 2016 financial statements and operating results as well as the current outlook for Saskatoon.

“As a city and community we have worked hard through a slower economy to keep finances in order while building quality of life that continues to attract talent and investment,” says Mayor Charlie Clark. 

“S&P Global’s reconfirmation of our ‘AAA’ credit rating and stable outlook is a testament to the hard work of many people. We will continue to work to build confidence in the future for all residents and our business community,” adds Mayor Clark.

S&P Global expects that the City’s “…creditworthiness will be largely unchanged because the City's budgetary performance will continue to be solid, debt burden will remain much less than 60% of operating revenues, and liquidity will remain healthy.”

The credit rating agency also notes “…that the city will continue to benefit from a supportive institutional framework, sound financial management, and a robust economy.”

“Receiving the ‘AAA’ credit rating provides the City with financial certainty and the budgetary flexibility necessary to maintain and add infrastructure,” says Chief Financial Officer Kerry Tarasoff. “Saskatoon is growing toward half a million people. We remain committed to balancing the City’s future needs with today’s financial realities.”

Every year, S&P Global reviews the City’s finances and delivers a rating in a report based on that study. The City has received the ‘AAA’/Stable credit rating every year for more than a decade allowing the City to borrow money at lower interest rates.

View the full report from S&P Global on saskatoon.ca.

Saskatoon Transit has 15 new buses on the road with the help of the Public Transit Infrastructure Fund (PTIF). The new buses are included in the total $24 million contribution towards fleet renewal in Saskatoon.

“The focus of our Fleet Renewal Strategy is to improve rider experience while decreasing operating costs," says Jim McDonald, Director of Saskatoon Transit.  “With this funding, we were able to purchase 26 new 40 foot buses over the last 12 months.”

The new 12 metre (40 foot) buses are fully accessible, have automated passenger counters, contain the latest Intelligent Transportation System technology and are more fuel efficient. 

 “Investing in public transit infrastructure shortens commute times, reduces congestion, protects the environment and helps the community access services and job opportunities,” says the Honourable Ralph Goodale, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency.  “I’m very pleased that these modern, fuel-efficient buses are hitting the streets in Saskatoon, providing residents with better transit service.”

The buses leave a smaller environmental footprint because of improved emissions, but also because they are paint free.  They also come with lower long term operating costs, due to the use of more durable materials.

“Saskatoon residents will enjoy travelling in these new buses while reducing their environmental footprint,” says the Honourable Larry Doke, Minister of Government Relations.  “Investments like this, which is funded under the PTIF program administered by the Government of Saskatchewan, will improve the quality of life for our citizens for years to come.” 

Upgrading the Saskatoon Transit fleet with new buses instead of 10 year old buses saves approximately $40,000 per year, per bus.  With fleet updates over the last five years, Saskatoon Transit has realized a fuel consumption savings of approximately $165,000 per year (based on today’s fuel prices). 

Over the next 10 years, Saskatoon Transit plans to:

• Ensure every bus is fully accessible (by the end of 2018);
• Reduce its average bus age from 12 to 7 years, which will reduce maintenance costs and fleet size (i.e. fewer “spares” required);
• Offer air conditioning and other improved amenities on every bus;

Saskatoon Transit will also be receiving eight smaller 9 metre (30 foot) buses this year funded by PTIF.  Two will be added to Access Transit’s fleet and the remaining will be used for conventional transit.