News Releases

The City wants to extend many thanks to its Transit employees and to the public: to transit employees for their continuing efforts and professionalism through this lengthy set of contract negotiations; to the public for its patience and understanding that the City is attempting to settle the contract in a way which is fair for every city employee.

We met Thursday, November 10 with ATU and tabled a comprehensive package of wages and benefits, including a way of dealing with their concerns over this pension language

We believed it would get us a deal as it is a very fair and reasonable offer.  We are offering a 10% wage increase and in the current economic downturn, it’s certainly above what many workers would receive elsewhere in the marketplace.

Unfortunately, the ATU Executive retrenched its position on the pension changes and now says it will not accept the pension changes or the future sustainability plan for the pension.  The City even met with the union executive on the morning of November 11, only to be presented with the same position.

I’m sure this is as disappointing to you as it is to the City.  We have been very practical in bargaining with the ATU Executive over the last four years, but we can now only conclude that they are firmly entrenched in their belief that they deserve a better pension than any of the other city employees.  That is just not a fair or reasonable position.

For the sake of all City employees – including transit workers – and for the sake of protecting the public purse, the City simply cannot compromise on the pension changes and the sustainability plan for the pension.  It is of key importance to the City to protect the defined benefit plan of its employees in a way that is affordable for taxpayers.

A Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority (SREDA) analysis reveals the local economy loses $2.5 million of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) per year as a result of traffic delays at major rail crossings in the city.

“This study provides us with a measurement of what we’ve suspected for some time,” says Angela Gardiner, Director of Transportation.  “These results will further enhance the Railway Working Group’s move toward a solution for minimizing delays at rail crossings on high traffic streets.”

The analysis is highlighted in a report for the November 14 meeting of the Standing Policy Committee on Transportation.

“The lost GDP is due to lost labour productivity to businesses in the Saskatoon Region as a result of traffic delays at nine rail crossings in the City,” says Alex Fallon, President & CEO, SREDA.

In March, the Committee directed the Administration to expand the ongoing work of the Railway Working Group to include exploring relocation of railways.  This additional mandate will be considered in the 2017 budget discussions beginning at month’s end.

The Administration report details modifications have already been made to Canadian National Railway’s (CN) operations in the south west portion of the city to reduce traffic delays in the area.

The Administration report further outlines the two phases of the upcoming feasibility study. The first phase will evaluate the costs and benefits of relocating the Canadian Pacific (CP) mainline and possibly the rail yard compared to constructing grade separations at priority rail crossing locations.

“The impact of CP on the city’s road network is significantly greater than that of CN due to the number of at-grade crossings along the mainline,” Gardiner says.  “If the relocation of CP is determined to be financially feasible, the study may further explore the relocation of CN.”

Two options will be considered as part of the feasibility study: either construct grade separations at priority rail crossing locations; or relocate CP rail infrastructure, including CP Sutherland Yards.

Once an option is chosen by City Council, the second phase of the study would be a more detailed analysis to develop a business case to approach other orders of government for construction funding.

The first phase of the feasibility study will be completed in 2017 and presented to the Standing Policy Committee on Transportation in early 2018.​​

Following extensive consultation and engagement with its citizens, the City is proud to release the 2017 Business Plan and Budget which aims at striking a balance between investing in key priorities while practicing good fiscal management and restraint. 

“The City of Saskatoon’s proposed 2017 Business Plan and Budget is focused on achieving what we heard through our public engagement process, namely increased road maintenance and snow and ice service,” says Chief Financial Officer, Kerry Tarasoff.  “While the City cannot satisfy the demands of all, we are very proud to say that this financial plan attempts to accomplish many of the important things that citizens told us in during the Shaping our Financial Future community engagement.”
To help pay for the City’s operations and to ensure the budget is balanced, the 2017 Business Plan and Budget proposes a 3.97% property tax increase.

The 2017 Operating Budget

Total operating expenditures of $481.4 million, an increase of $16.6 million, or 3.6%, over the 2016 approved Operating Budget.

Tax-supported-operating expenditures of $463.4 million for 2017, an increase of $18.4 million or 4.1%, over the 2016 approved Operating Budget.

Tax-supported operating expenditures represent 96.3% of total operating expenditures in 2017.

In 2017, 1% of the property tax is equivalent to $2.03 million. So, the proposed property tax increase for 2017 will generate an additional $8.1 million for the City’s Operating Budget. The additional property tax revenue that is collected will be distributed as follows:

• 0.55% or $1.1 million dedicated to snow and ice management
• 1.93% or $3.9 million dedicated to the maintenance of roadways.  The final year of the road levy will deliver $61.8 million to continue road improvements.
• 1.49% or $3.1 million allocated to pay for police, firefighters and other expenditures associated with all other programs and services.

The 2017 Capital Budget

In contrast to the City’s Operating Budget, the City’s Capital Budget provides the investments in hard infrastructure. This includes the construction of buildings (like recreation centres and libraries), transportation assets (like new roads and bridges), and neighbourhood infrastructure (like sidewalks and water lines).

For 2017, the City of Saskatoon is investing $261.4 million in various capital projects. This is an increase of approximately $32.7 million, or 14.3% over the 2016 approved Capital Budget.  This increase in capital programming is largely due to the City’s allocations under the Federal Public Transit Infrastructure Fund (PTIF) of $37.3 million and Clean Water and Wastewater Fund (CWWF) of $31.6 million.

What this means to residential property owners

The proposed property tax increase of 3.97% means that a homeowner who owns a single family detached home with an average assessment of $325,000 will see their municipal property taxes increase by $67.55 per year or $5.63 per month.  

“In supporting one of Canada’s great cities and vibrant economies, the City will to continue to deliver value to citizens,” Tarasoff says. “With thousands of new citizens joining us every year, providing quality services, vibrant facilities and properly maintained infrastructure is crucial to sustaining that energy.”

View the detailed 2017 Preliminary Corporate Business Plan Budget documents here.

A Saskatoon Transit articulating bus was involved in a multiple vehicle collision this afternoon.  It happened near the intersection of Preston Avenue and College Drive West around 5:30 p.m.

Police, firefighters and ambulance crews responded to the scene; paramedics took one of the bus passengers to hospital with undetermined injuries.

The Broadway Avenue Improvement Project and the Water Main Replacement Project Queen Street location both wrap up this week. This brings two of the City’s major 2016 projects to a successful close. 

“It’s been another very busy construction season overall and we are very happy to deliver on our commitment of building better roads for Saskatoon residents and visitors,” says Celene Anger, Director of Construction and Design. “The Broadway Avenue Improvement Project and Water Main Replacement Project Queen Street location were a large part of the City’s ongoing commitment to continuous improvement, meeting our immediate priorities for clean drinking water and safe wastewater removal to support a cleaner and healthier environment for our communities.”

Water main infrastructure in the Broadway neighbourhood and beneath Queen Street was almost 100 years old and were priority locations requiring the most urgent attention. Work in both areas included replacing water main infrastructure – replacing cast iron pipes and fittings and removing lead connections in order to remove weak links in the existing water distribution network. Sanitary sewer systems were also upgraded and lastly there was significant rehabilitation of roadways. This work required extensive excavation and temporary water service connections in addition to traffic restrictions and detours.

“Work on Broadway started at the beginning of the construction season back in May, and even with a stretch of cold and snow in early October, the project was finished within days of our target completion date,” Anger says. “Businesses and residents in the Broadway area were very patient while we worked on and under their streets. Now they have water main infrastructure that’s built for the future, and a smooth roadway to go with it.”   

The Queen Street project – replacing water mains between 6th Avenue and 8th Avenue – involved significant coordination between Saskatoon City Hospital and the City of Saskatoon. Although work on this particular part of the City’s water infrastructure system did not impact the hospital directly, the road work did. This 16-week project needed to be phased to allow for consistent access to the hospital for emergency services, patients, workers and residents.

Anger says her team is always looking for ways to improve how they do work and to minimize negative effects on the community.

“These were big projects which upset routines of a lot of people so we needed to be innovative. This year, our coordinated approach using targeted, flexible phasing, and extended work hours allowed us to improve services and complete the work in an efficient manner,” she says. “It’s our goal to minimize the impact to residents, businesses and essential services while we work. We thank everyone for their patience while this necessary construction was carried out.”

In the spring, crews will return to Broadway Avenue for final touch up work, landscaping and sidewalk panels and some paving on a small section of roadway at the top of the bridge. Extended paving from 2nd Avenue to Spadina Crescent (excluding the already complete Queen Street project area) will also take place in the spring.

Throughout the projects, access was always maintained to the Broadway Bridge and Saskatoon City Hospital.

Some key facts from the Broadway Avenue Improvement Project include:

• 1,663 metres of water main replaced.
• 8.9 lane kilometres of road resurfaced.
• 100 water service connections replaced.

Some key facts from the Queen Street Water Main Replacement Project include:

• 195 metres of water main replaced.
• 195 metres of road resurfaced.
• 5 water service connections replaced.

The cost for the Broadway Avenue Improvement Project is $6 million and $850,000 for the Queen Street Water Main Replacement Project.

To learn more please visit saskatoon.ca/broadway and saskatoon.ca/queenstreet.

As the Bridging to Tomorrow project approaches the one year mark, the City is pleased with the progress that has been made at each site. Work on the Traffic Bridge began in December 2015 and North Commuter Parkway site construction began in January of 2016.

“Right now at the Traffic Bridge, crews are putting the finishing touches on construction of an in-river berm on the north side of the river so they can start building the two north piers,” says Dan Willems, Director of Major Projects. “The south in-river pier, the north and south bridge abutments, and the first new span are complete and demolition of the last original span will start in mid-November.”

Meanwhile, at the North Commuter Parkway, the west in-river pier is complete and construction of the centre in-river pier is underway.

“This part of the project involves more than bridge construction. It also involves storm sewer installation as well as several kilometers of earthworks for the roads connecting to the new bridge,” says Willems. “Work also involves improvements to the intersection of Attridge Drive and Central Avenue, which is nearing completion, and the realignment of the eastbound off-ramp from Circle Drive East to Attridge Drive.”

Both bridges are scheduled to open in 2018. The North Commuter Parkway will support the transportation needs of northeast Saskatoon residents who work in the Marquis and North Industrial Areas. The new Traffic Bridge will support the growing city centre by allowing drivers, pedestrians and cyclists to cross the South Saskatchewan River. It will resemble the original bridge, but will be wider to accommodate larger vehicles like fire trucks and Transit buses.

Bridging to Tomorrow project updates, including detailed monthly summaries, links to live cameras at each bridge site, and quarterly video updates, are available at saskatoon.ca/bridging. In person, anyone can watch Traffic Bridge progress at the River Landing viewing area. North Commuter Parkway construction can be viewed from the Meewasin Trail just east of the cul-de-sac at the north end of Kinnear Avenue (north of Silverwood Golf Course).

Improving business development and employment for Métis people and communities is the focus of a one-day conference today in Saskatoon. Open to business leaders, organizations, educational institutes and economic development corporations, the conference covered a range of topics that addresses barriers faced by regional Métis businesses.

The Forum’s keynote speaker Jason Madden, Managing Partner with Pape Salter Telleit, spoke on the recent ruling of the Supreme Court Ruling and the government’s responsibility to negotiate with Métis and non-status peoples. Other sessions focused on best practices for economic development and reconciliation, and employment and procurement policies.

The Forum was organized in partnership with the City, Central Urban Metis Federation Inc. (CUMFI), Saskatoon Aboriginal Employment Partnership (SAEP), and Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Association (SREDA).

Quotations

“We recognise the whole community prospers when there are opportunities for everyone, including Aboriginal and Métis people, to participate in the economy. The more there are opportunities for Métis business leaders to network, the greater the likelihood Métis peoples can succeed in creating jobs and a better quality of life for the entire community.”

• Gilles Dorval, Director of Aboriginal Relations, City of Saskatoon.

“It is important for the Métis people in Saskatoon to be involved in the growth of our economy by creating new business opportunities.”

• Shirley Isbister, President, Central Urban Métis Federation Inc. (CUMFI)

“In order to help grow, strengthen and diversify the Saskatoon Region economy, we need to increase the number of partnerships and business opportunities that engage our Métis communities. This Forum will help us all share opportunities, strengthen relationships and ultimately lead to more successful economic development opportunities.”

• Alex Fallon, President and CEO, Saskatoon Regional Economic Development Authority.

The City of Saskatoon’s commitment to the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada's calls to action supports City’s Strategic Goal of “Quality of Life” by strengthening partnerships with Aboriginal and Métis organizations to enhance access to training, employment, economic opportunities, and housing.

Almost 500 Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal experts, leaders, youth and Elders will “learn from one another to build community” and commit to moving forward on the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada’s Calls to Action at the second annual Wîcihitowin (wee-CHEE-toh-win) Aboriginal Engagement Conference.

“In our second year, we’re focusing on learning and resources for non-Aboriginal organizations to improve engagement and inclusion of Aboriginal peoples, whether it be as an employee, volunteer or in a board role,” says Gilles Dorval, Director of Aboriginal Relations for the City of Saskatoon.

Wîcihitowin is Cree/Saulteaux for “helping each other” or “working together”, which is an important component of delivering enhanced programs and services. This conference is presented in partnership with the City of Saskatoon, the United Way of Saskatoon, Saskatoon Health Region, and Aboriginal Friendship Centres of Saskatchewan.

“When done well, Aboriginal engagement can improve outcomes for Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal community members, strengthening both the organization and our community by incorporating the voice of the Aboriginal community in programming and service delivery,” says Warren Isbister-Bear, Director of Aboriginal Relations for United Way of Saskatoon.

This year’s conference will address themes outlined in the Truth & Reconciliation Commission of Canada Calls to Action, such as: education, language & culture, health, media, newcomers to Canada and sports & reconciliation.

“These sessions offer organizations opportunities to learn more about what reconciliation might look like in a safe environment. Each organization might have a slightly different response to the calls to action and we’re learning from one another how to move forward,” says Neal Kewistep, Manager, Our Neighbourhood Health Centre & Building Health Equity for the Saskatoon Health Region.

The conference aims to support organizations working to incorporate Aboriginal values within program and service delivery settings with the goal of creating culturally respectful organizations.

“We have an opportunity through this conference to assist local organizations, be it human service, government of private industry, to address the real and perceived barriers in preventing Aboriginal people from participating fully in the economy,” said Brad Bird, Aboriginal Cultural Coordinator, Aboriginal Friendship Centres of Saskatchewan.

Keynote speakers include Dr. Marie Wilson, Former Commissioner of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada, and Chief Darcy Bear, seven-term leader of Whitecap Dakota First Nation. Full agenda for the Wîcihitowin Aboriginal Engagement Conference available here. 

Wîcihitowin supports the City’s Strategic Goal of “Quality of Life” by identifying actions for enhancing Aboriginal well-being and participation in our community.

Following a police investigation and legal review, a Crown Prosecutor has recommended no charges be laid against the operator of a City street patching truck involved in a collision earlier this year.

Just after 8:30 a.m. on June 1, 2016, City officials responded to a collision between a street-patching truck and a cyclist at the corner of Idylwyld Drive and 29th Street West.

Saskatoon Police say as a result of the collision, the cyclist was warned to drive a vehicle with required due care.

In addition to a police investigation, the City follows its own protocols after a critical incident to ensure the proper operating procedures were maintained. 

The operator returned to duty in June and the conclusion of the police investigation also concludes the matter for the City.

Weather

Saskatoon continues to deal with the first winter Weather Event of the year, however Environment Canada has ended its snowfall warning for Saskatoon and area.

Even so, Saskatoon experienced a few more flurries overnight.

As of Friday morning total snowfall was 30 cm.

Hurricane Matthew is posing challenges for forecasters creating some variability in weather prediction models.

In a briefing to City officials Friday morning, Environment Canada’s John Paul Cragg says Saskatoon and area could expect up to another 5 cm of snow. Cragg says this is likely to happen very early-to-mid Sunday morning with temperatures hovering around the freezing mark.

Because of the possible fluctuating temperature, any snowfall may turn to rain.

Cragg says we may also experience easterly winds over the same period Sunday at 20 Km/h gusting to 40 Km/h. 

Roadways & Operations

As a result of the Weather Event and with near melting temperatures, roads are wet, not icy.

Roadways expects any snow accumulation predicted for the holiday weekend to be very manageable.

Crews will remain working around the clock now until Tuesday.

Sanding crews will focus on high-priority trouble areas day and night, applying sand and salt as necessary.

For timely updates, check the snow and ice service alerts at saskatoon.ca/service-alerts and on Twitter by following @YXEServiceAlert.

In the interests of public safety, Roadways will focus efforts on improving road conditions. As a result, staff will monitor and minimize water ponding and surface drainage issues as the snow melts. Only emergency flooding areas will be monitored for now.

The Fall Sweep is tentatively delayed 1 week and Roadways is considering rescheduling to start Monday, October 17, weather dependent.  

Transportation

Signals: Crews have made one pass and cleared all snow-blocked signals. There is a crew checking problem areas today to see if anything needs to be done again. 

Signs: Crews continue to patrol and clear any blocked signage. The focus remains on stop and yield signs.

As always, be extra alert at intersections.

Saskatoon Light & Power

Wind will continue to be the main challenge for the City’s power company over the weekend and especially early Sunday morning.

At this point, SL&P crews are in clean-up mode collecting downed tree limbs or pruning back trees near lines.

Crews can manage any outages that occur from overloaded tree branches or other weather related factors.

To report a tree limb contacting or threatening a Saskatoon Light & Power service line, please call 306-975-2414.

For a SaskPower service line please call 306-310-2220.

Service Alerts with regular updates will continue to be issued if outages occur. They will provide information about the cause of the outage and the anticipated time for restoration. 

Construction & Design

To let concrete cure on the pedestrian overpass, a lane closure remains in effect for the curb lane on College Drive heading towards the University Bridge.

The early autumn snowfall has also presented City construction projects with some challenges. Specifically for anyone currently on temporary water service for water line replacement, the unseasonably cold temperatures have made it necessary for property owners to keep their taps on to prevent the temporary water lines from freezing.

Overall, most of the City’s construction projects are nearing completion or in the process of being closed for winter.

The impact this weather will have depends less on the amount of snow that fell, rather on the length of time the snow sticks around.

A few days of snow that quickly melts is the same as rain.

If we have enough warm, dry weather, work sites will dry up which means paving and other construction projects can continue.

Major Projects

Work on major projects continues including work on the Attridge Drive and Central Avenue intersection. Excavation at the northeast boulevard of Attridge Drive and Central Avenue is scheduled to remain ongoing through the entire weekend. Weather depending, line painting on Attridge Drive eastbound is scheduled for Sunday. 

Drivers are reminded the traffic accommodation through this intersection includes two westbound through lanes.

For drivers who typically use the right (curb) lane to travel through the intersection, please continue to use this lane and follow the signs and delineators; the right lane does not merge into the left lane at the intersection. More information is here.

Bolting of Span 4 of the Traffic Bridge is scheduled to proceed as planned through Sunday.

Earthworks for the south embankment of the Traffic Bridge will remain ongoing through the entire weekend, weather depending. 

Earthworks for the west embankment of the North Commuter Parkway bridge will remain ongoing through the entire weekend, weather depending.

Transit

Transit service is operating as regularly scheduled. Customers could experience delays should weather conditions worsen.

NOTE: Holiday operating hours are in effect for Monday, October 10, 2016. 

Customers are reminded to dress for the weather and to track their bus in real time through Transit App and Google Transit.  

Parks & Urban Forestry

Urban Forestry crews are responding to tree damage on a priority basis.

We presently have 100 calls and more coming in today.

2 aerial crews and 2 ground crews are responding to this work and will arrange assistance from contract crews if needed.

Parks received 3 urgent calls overnight to clear roads and sidewalks.

Horticulture staff continue their inspections and report damage in parks. This work is scheduled but keeping roadways, sidewalks and paths clear is the priority.

Until more of the snow melts, everyone is advised to be cautious near trees in parks and around the city.

To report damage to City-owned trees that have failed and are blocking roadways and sidewalks, please call 306-975-2890 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

After hours tree damage can be reported to the Saskatoon Customer Service line at 306-975-2476.

Trees on private property are the responsibility of the property owner and brush that is cleared as a result of private trees obstructing public sidewalks or roadways will be left on the adjacent private property for the owner to clean up.

Any elm branches must be disposed of at the Saskatoon landfill. 

For timely updates check the City website and snow and ice service alerts at saskatoon.ca/service-alerts and on Twitter by following @YXEServiceAlert.