News Releases

Diefenbaker Drive, between St. Laurent and Lloyd crescents, will be closed starting Monday, March 23 at 9:00 a.m. to replace a valve. This work is expected to take two days to complete, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.  

Saskatoon Transit will continue to operate as scheduled. Transit service alerts, regarding detours or temporary bus stop closures, and real-time bus locations are available on third party apps like Transit and Google Transit on desktop.  

We are constantly reassessing pandemic developments to ensure the safety and well-being of staff and citizens.  We have also continued to reassess the way we deliver public services to keep staff and residents safe when we are out in the community.

Transit fare suspension and rear door boarding effective Friday, March 20

To reduce the risk to Transit Operators during the COVID-19 pandemic, starting Friday, Saskatoon Transit will ask riders to get on and off buses by using the rear doors. Transit also reminds riders to keep a safe distance — at least one metre — from bus operators and fellow riders.

As a result, the City will also be suspending fares indefinitely.  The City will be determining how to compensate those affected by this and those details will be provided soon.

Anyone who requires personal mobility devices will be exempt from entering the rear doors and will be permitted to enter and exit through the front doors as usual.

Please note: all riders will be required to stay behind the front wheel wells and to keep the seats behind the operator free at all times. This measure will meet the new recommendation for social distancing released by the Province of Saskatchewan on Wednesday March 18.  Transit will also monitor where and when extra buses may need to be added onto routes to help people maintain appropriate social distance.

Saskatoon Transit is also reassuring customers of Transit’s daily cleaning protocols, which include regular hard surface wipe-downs with hospital-grade disinfectant and disinfectant misting treatments.

Parking Restrictions for Residential Parking Program Zones Suspended

Effective immediately parking restrictions for the Residential Parking Program zones are suspended until further notice.  In addition, overtime parking on all residential streets will no longer be enforced, to encourage residents to stay home and prevent the spread of COVID-19.

Public safety-related parking restrictions remain in effect to maintain emergency access and traffic flow including:

• "No Stopping" signs
• "No Parking" signs
• "Accessible Parking" signs
• Fire Hydrants (maintain 1 metre from the centre of a fire hydrant)
• No parking within 10 metres of an intersection
• No parking in alleys unless active loading/unloading is taking place.

Further details on these parking restrictions are provided on the City of Saskatoon website: saskatoon.ca/moving-around/parking/understanding-parking-saskatoon

Building Standards

The decision to close City Hall to the public has a direct effect on the way we do business, including providing building inspections and permits:

• All building and plumbing inspections are suspended while the City explores options to provide inspections in a safe manner.
• Residential applications are limited to online.
• Property Information Disclosure (PID) applications accepted via building.standards@saskatoon.ca
• Plumbing permit applications accepted via plumbing.permits@saskatoon.ca
• Payments will be accepted via telephone at 306.975.2645.
• New commercial permit applications will not be accepted. The City is exploring opportunities to provide online access to this program.

As the situation is evolving, we will update the Building Standards webpages regularly if there are service limitations.

Questions? Reach out to our permit file support team by calling (306) 975-2645 Monday to Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.

What is the City doing to provide financial relief for citizens?

To offer assistance and best service to citizens experiencing the effects of the economic impact due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City is committed to providing increased flexibility and immediate short-term relief for your utility payments through the following changes:

Utility Services

We will continue to bill for utility services as normal.  However, to best serve the City’s customers in these extraordinary times, the City has made the following changes to current utility collections activities:

• Utility disconnections due to arrears will be suspended until September 30, 2020;
• Late payment charges will be suspended on all utility accounts until September 30, 2020; and
• We will continue to generate utility bill reminders and other related notices for customers who are in arrears to keep them informed of their current situation.

These measures are aimed at providing financial relief for customers who may not be able to afford to pay their bills on time.  By suspending late payment charges, utility customers will have the option to delay bill payments without putting themselves in additional financial hardship.  However, our staff will continue to work with the City’s utility customers regarding payment arrangements so as to not leave them in a difficult financial situation in the future.

Delaying disconnections will help ensure that all homes have access to water, allowing for proper handwashing and personal hygiene.

Have utility-related questions? Please call our Revenue Customer Service Representatives at 306-975-2400. We understand and will work with you.

2020 Property Taxes

Your 2020 Property Tax notice will be delivered by the end of May 2020.

To offer assistance and best service to citizens experiencing the effects of the economic impact due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the City is committed to providing increased flexibility and immediate short-term relief for your 2020 Property Tax payment. On your notice, your 2020 Property Tax due date will still show as June 30, 2020. However:

• The City is extending to you, a three-month grace period, allowing you additional time to pay your 2020 Property Tax amount due.
• You will not incur any penalties on your 2020 taxes if your property tax payment is made in full before September 30, 2020.

Have property tax-related questions? Please call our Revenue Customer Service Representatives at 306-975-2400. We understand and will work with you.

Updates will continue to be provided at saskatoon.ca/covid-19 and at saskatoonpolice.ca

*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only.

NIGHTWORK

33RD ST E EB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM IDYLWYLD DR N TO ALBERTA AVE
(Red light camera work)
Start: March 19, 7:00 p.m. End: March 20, 6:00 a.m.

IDYLWYLD DR N NB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 33RD ST E TO 34TH ST E
(Red light camera work)
Start: March 19, 7:00 p.m. End: March 20, 6:00 a.m.

33RD ST E WB CURB LANE CLOSED AT IDYLWYLD DR N
(Red light camera work)
Start: March 19, 7:00 p.m. End: March 20, 6:00 a.m.

IDYLWYLD DR N SB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 33RD ST W TO 32ND ST W
(Red light camera work)
Start: March 20, 7:00 p.m. End: March 21, 6:00 a.m.

ONGOING

8TH ST E ROTATING LANE RESTRICTIONS AT PRESTON AVE S
(Red light camera installation)
Start: March 17, 9:00 a.m. End: March 20, 3:00 p.m.

AVE H N ROAD CLOSED FROM 31ST ST W TO 32ND ST W
(Sewer connection replacement)
Start: March 18, 8:00 a.m. End: March 20, 5:00 p.m.

8TH ST E ROAD CLOSED FROM RANGE ROAD 3044 TO MCORMOND DR
(Trucking route)
Start: February 24, 7:00 a.m. End: October 26, 5:00 p.m.

All restrictions will be lifted as indicated, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances.

Slow down, pay attention and respect work zones. Watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs and barriers.

The City of Saskatoon is closing to the public all its facilities including City Hall; this follows the provincial government declaration of a public emergency for COVID-19 (coronavirus).

“While we are closed to the public, our business operations will continue to provide essential services for our residents as much as possible,” says City Manager Jeff Jorgenson.

Jorgenson says this move is an important preventative measure. It will help slow the rate of COVID-19 infection in Saskatoon and protect City staff, as well as vulnerable populations, which include seniors and people with compromised immune systems.

The City reminds the public that we offer many online services which are listed at: www.saskatoon.ca/onlineservices

“We continue to work with internal and external partners, including the Saskatchewan Health Authority, the Ministry of Health and the Public Health Agency of Canada on a proactive approach to deal with COVID-19,” Jorgenson says. 

The City continues to thank its staff and citizens for their patience and support. Jorgenson says as City leaders continue to respond to a rapidly evolving situation meanwhile promising to provide information as it becomes available.
The provincial health ministry encourages everyone to be mindful of good hand hygiene, cough etiquette and social distancing. For those who have risk factors such as old age, or underlying health issues, medical experts encourage those people to stay away from crowded areas.

The City of Saskatoon continues to encourage the community to reach out to those most vulnerable to COVID-19 and to those organizations that assist with our vulnerable homeless population.  

We are constantly reassessing the situation to ensure the safety and well-being of staff and residents.  We will also continue to reassess the way we deliver services to the public in order to keep staff and residents safe when we are out in the community.

Updates will continue to be provided at saskatoon.ca/covid-19 and at saskatoonpolice.ca

Water valve repairs will close a section of Avenue H between 22nd Street and 23rd Street on April 19, 2018. This work is scheduled to take one day to complete, barring unforeseen circumstances or weather delays.  

  What you can expect from us

• Avenue H will be closed to traffic between 22nd Street and 23rd Street on Thursday, April 19.
• Detour signs will be in place well in advance of the work zone, directing traffic around the area.
• Transit Route 3 Hudson Bay/ City Centre will be impacted by this construction zone. Please consult the app called Transit for details.

 How you can help us​​

• Drivers are advised to expect delays and may want to reroute their commute and avoid the area if possible.
• Plan your bus route in advance online at Saskatoontransit.ca or on your mobile device with the real-time Google Maps or Transit App.  
• Refer to the Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map for updates and more information.

The City thanks drivers for their patience while this necessary work is carried out. Slow down, pay attention and respect work zones. Watch for pedestrians and work crews, and for everyone’s safety, please obey all detours, signs, and barriers.

Weather permitting, the City will be resurfacing Warman Road southbound between Circle Drive and 7^th Avenue this weekend. The work will take place overnight on Saturday and Sunday (June 2 & 3) between 7 p.m. and 7 a.m.

While work is underway, there will be a complete closure to southbound traffic at this location. Signage will advise road users to take an alternate route.

City crews will be returning to Warman Road during the summer months, when traffic volumes are lighter, in order to pave the stretch of roadway between 7^th Avenue and 33^rd Street. Due to its proximity to residential areas, and the potential for noise disruptions, paving at this location needs to take place during the day.

For updates on construction projects anytime, refer to the Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map. Road users are reminded to reduce speeds, stay alert and mind posted signage and barriers when encountering a construction zone.

Repairs to traffic signal lights at Warman Road and Assiniboine Drive are now complete. Normal operations have been fully restored at this intersection.

Yesterday afternoon, a motor vehicle accident at the intersection of Warman Road and Assiniboine Drive caused considerable damage to the traffic control equipment and the concrete pad that supports it. This damage resulted in the intersection operating as a 3-way stop while crews worked to repair the concrete pad and restore the traffic control equipment.

Due to the substantial damage at this location, underground repairs were required. Underground work was completed overnight last night and crews replaced the traffic cabinet this morning. 

 What you can expect from us

• Traffic lights have been repaired and the intersection is fully operational. 

 How you can help us​​

• Road users can use normal routes.
• Visit saskatoon.ca/servicealerts or follow @YXEServiceAlert on Twitter for Traffic Detour updates.
• Refer to the Road Restrictions and Construction Projects interactive map for updates and more information

The Shaw Centre competitive pool will be closed for maintenance from Friday, July 29, at 12:00 p.m., through Monday, September 5, 2016.  During this time, the leisure pool will remain open with modified access provided through the change rooms.  The Hamm Fitness Centre and Walking Track will also remain open to the public during this time.  Regularly scheduled programming for the competitive pool will resume on Tuesday, September 6.  Please refer to Drop-in Online at saskatoon.ca/dropinonline for up-to-date information on affected programs.

Maintenance closures will also occur in the change rooms and hot tub areas on the following dates (subject to change).  Access to alternate change rooms will be made available during this time:

• Competitive pool:  July 29 to September 5, inclusive;
• Women’s change room:  August 2 to 12;
• Men’s change room:  August 15 to 19;
• Family change room:  August 22 to 26; and
• Main Hot Tub:  August 18 to September 5, inclusive.

Visitors and patrons may notice slight construction odours in the building due to painting and work being done.

The Saskatoon Field House, Harry Bailey Aquatic Centre, Lakewood, Lawson and Cosmo Civic Centres, and Terry Fox Track will maintain regular hours during this time.  For drop-in programming information at any of the other six facilities, please refer to saskatoon.ca/dropinonline.

The City of Saskatoon and Shaw Centre thank patrons for their cooperation.  For more information on programming and services affected, please contact the facility at
306-975-7744.

The results are in on the 2016 Civic Services Survey and public engagement activities, which will help shape the City’s 2017 Business Plan and Budget. This year’s Civic Services Survey shows overall satisfaction with the level of services provided by the City remains high and is significantly higher than in 2013. Since 2013, overall satisfaction increased by 5% for telephone respondents and 10% for online respondents.

“I am very pleased to see this result,” says Catherine Gryba, General Manager of Corporate Performance. “In 2015, we established a performance target of overall satisfaction with civic services of 90% or more. Looking at 2016 survey results, it shows we are definitely moving in the right direction toward hitting that target.”

The majority of Civic Services Survey respondents continue to rate Saskatoon’s quality of life as high, and they feel the City is on the right track to becoming a better city 10 years from now. Each year, citizens are also asked to the name the most important issue facing the City. 

“In 2013, citizens were very concerned with the condition of roads and sidewalks,” says Gryba. “As a result of that feedback, we launched the most aggressive road improvement program in the community’s history, Building Better Roads, in 2014. That investment is definitely making a difference, and although roads continue to be cited as the most important issue, there are significantly fewer respondents saying this is an issue as compared to 2013.” 

Similar to 2015, citizens also prefer to pay for services and balance the operating budget using a combination of user fees and property tax increases. Annual survey results have always been considered in the development of the City’s business plans and budgets, but Gryba says additional engagement initiatives are also proving to be quite valuable, including an online budget tool called "Citizen Budget", and in-person surveys conducted at various locations throughout the City.

“Participation in the Citizen Budget was very strong this year with over 2,600 unique visitors and a total of 803 online submissions, which is an increase of 60% for online budget submissions and matches the number of participants in the 2016 Civic Services Survey online study.” 

Although participation for the in-person survey varies and cannot be considered statistically reliable, the responses still provide important input into the process. When the results of all engagement initiatives are combined, citizens generally support increases in service levels or an increase in spending on road maintenance. Besides road maintenance, there is also support for increases for affordable housing, transit, snow and ice management, and traffic management. 

“It’s interesting to see the needs and wants of citizens of varying demographics coming in as fairly consistent through each method of engagement,” says Gryba.

The 2016 Civic Services Survey and Citizen Budget engagement strategies support the Strategic Goal of Continuous Improvement and being the best-managed city in Canada. All results are available at saskatoon.ca/financialfuture and in the coming weeks the comments provided by on the Citizen Budget site will also be posted.  

The City of Saskatoon is pleased to announce that pet owners can now conveniently purchase and/or renew pet licenses online.

To purchase a new license online, pet owners can simply visit www.saskatoon.ca/go/petsonline and provide their contact details, pet, and payment information.  To renew a license, pet owners will need to have their personal ID and license tag number, which can be found on your pet license renewal form.  Renewal notices are sent out approximately one month prior to the expiration date.  New and renewed licenses purchased online take 24 hours to take effect.
Licenses can also be purchased in person at City Hall, the Saskatoon Animal Control Agency, the SPCA, SCAT Street Cat Rescue Inc., and participating veterinary clinics and pet supply stores.

All dogs and cats over four months of age must be licensed.  Annual cat license fees for spayed/neutered cats are $16 and $32 for non-spayed/neutered cats.  For spayed/neutered dogs, annual license fees are $27 and $54 for non-spayed/neutered dogs.

Enjoy the benefits for being a responsible pet owner and licensing your pet.  These benefits include the development and maintenance of off-leash recreation areas (OLRAs) and services dealing with dangerous animals.  Licensed pet owners also receive a Pet at Large (P.A.L.) card, which allows a one-time fine totaling up to $300 to be waived if your pet is found at-large and offers a return-to-home or safe shelter for your stray pet.

Responsible pet owners deserve treats too! If you like to save money or enjoy trying new things, you will like what the My Pet Matters Card has to offer! Visit www.mypetmatters.ca for full program information.

If you do not have your Pet License Renewal notice or if you have any questions regarding the online payment option, please call Customer Service at 306-975-2400 or 1-800-667-9944, Monday to Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.  For more information about Animal Services and pet licensing, please visit www.saskatoon.ca/go/animalservices.

For more City of Saskatoon Public Service Announcements, News Releases, Traffic Detours and Service Alerts, visit www.saskatoon.ca or connect with the City of Saskatoon on Twitter and Facebook.