Why the City of Saskatoon?
The City of Saskatoon serves as a central hub within our great prairie province, with tons to offer to over 270,000 residents! We are an inclusive, diverse workforce, where you can build a career and make a real difference in your community.
As a municipal government, we provide a wide variety of core public services such as roads, transit, parks, water, police and fire. In order to have all of these services run smooth and efficient, we have many business professionals who contribute to finance, human resources, business strategy, information technology, business operations and many more!
Whatever your career aspirations are, the City of Saskatoon is the perfect organization to grow and be fostered!
Life in Saskatoon
Saskatoon is a growing, friendly city. Throughout its history, it has welcomed people from all over Canada and the world. In 2020, Statistics Canada has estimated the City’s population to be 336,614. More and more people are choosing Saskatoon as a wonderful place to live, work, learn and play.
History
The Saskatoon area was first inhabited by Aboriginal peoples over 8000 years ago. The name “Saskatoon” comes from the Cree word misaskwatomina, which refers to a sweet, purple berry which still grows in the area.
Learn more about Saskatoon’s history.
Geography and Climate
Saskatoon is located in the central region of the province and is the largest city in Saskatchewan. Spread over a relatively flat area, it straddles a bend in the South Saskatchewan River and dips into the South Saskatchewan River Valley.
Referred to as the "Paris of the Prairies" or the "Bridge City", Saskatoon has nine river crossings! It is also home to the University of Saskatchewan, the Meewasin Valley Authority (which stewards the South Saskatchewan River and riverbank park spaces), and Wanuskewin Heritage Park which represents 6,000 years of First Nations history.
Saskatoon is one of the sunniest places in Canada, averaging around 2381 hours of sunlight per year (that’s 6.5 hours, every day!). It has four distinct seasons. Winter and summer can be extreme; temperatures can range from -30 Celsius in January to +30 Celsius in July. However, the climate is not humid, which helps winter temperatures feel warmer and summer temperatures feel cooler.
Check us Out
Check us out using the online City of Saskatoon iMap! This interactive map makes it easy for you to find the places and addresses you need. The site is continually updated, making sure that the newest City streets and facilities are included. You can search for a specific address or use the ‘I Want To’... feature to find commonly searched-for items. Visit the iMap here.
Government
Saskatoon’s civic government consists of a Mayor and ten City Councillors. A municipal election is held every four years, in which Canadian citizens who have lived in Saskatoon for at least 6 months can vote for a mayoral candidate and a municipal councilor to represent the area of Saskatoon in which they live. Learn more about Saskatoon’s government here.
Neighbourhoods
Saskatoon has 46 different neighbourhoods, each with its own unique character and attractions. Whether a newer neighborhood is your vibe or it’s a historic home you’re searching for or maybe it’s a neighborhood filled with trendy shops and restaurants, Saskatoon is sure to have a neighborhood that suites your lifestyles.
Each neighbourhood has its own Community Association, which works to provide recreational activities for neighbourhood residents, and ensures that everyone enjoys a good quality of life. Visit Community Associations and Saskatoon’s neighbourhoods to find out more.
Getting Here
Located in the central part of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon is most easily accessible via Highway 16 (Yellowhead) from Edmonton or Winnipeg, and via Highway 11 from Regina. You can reach Saskatoon using a variety of public transportation options as well, including bus, plane and train.
Travel by bus from any long-distance bus station or travel by train to Saskatoon’s VIA Rail station, located about 8 km west of the downtown area. Saskatoon is on “The Canadian” route, which travels from Toronto to Vancouver and back, through the Rocky Mountains.
Saskatoon has an international airport (John G. Diefenbaker International Airport). At least 60 flights per day arrive from and depart to various cities in Canada and other parts of North America. Taxi and bus service is available at the airport to take passengers to other parts of the city.
Cost of Living
Saskatoon enjoys one of the lowest costs of living among major cities in Canada. This means that you will pay less for housing, utilities, food, and taxes in Saskatoon than in other similar-sized or larger cities. Paying less for these essential things means that you will have more money available for saving or spending on less essential items!
Learn more about Saskatchewan’s cost of living.
See a comparison of housing, tax, and utility costs between Saskatoon and other Canadian cities.
Banks
Saskatoon is home to at least one branch of all the major banks operating in Canada. In addition, there are a number of credit union branches available. Credit unions are financial institutions which have the same function as banks (you can open an account, deposit money, get a mortgage, etc.). However, credit unions are technically owned by their members (account holders), rather than by shareholders.
For a list of bank and credit union branches in Saskatoon, please contact the Newcomer Information Centre.