News Releases

The northbound curb lane of Circle Drive under 108^th Street has been closed after the overpass was hit by an oversized load.

108^th Street over Circle Drive is fully open, but for safety, the northbound curb lane of Circle Drive under the overpass is expected to remain closed until Friday afternoon. This will allow for detailed inspection and testing as well as the removal of loose concrete.

Saskatoon Transit may be affected. Transit service alerts and real-time bus information are available on third-party apps like Transit and Google Maps Transit on desktop.                              

For more information about current road restrictions and construction, visit saskatoon.ca/construction.

The City of Saskatoon released its 2023 Climate Action Progress Report, detailing strides and ongoing efforts in reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and advancing climate mitigation, adaptation, and green network plans.

“We are encouraged to see the community emissions trending downward. Whether you are taking the bus or using active transportation, making home or business energy retrofits, or finding other ways to reduce your electricity consumption and tailpipe emissions, every little bit helps to keep moving us toward our larger goal of net-zero by 2050”, says Jeanna South, Director of Sustainability.

Emission Reduction Highlights

• Community GHG Emissions Reduction: Community-wide GHG emissions decreased by 12% relative to the 2014 baseline. Emissions were 3,371,700 tonnes CO₂e in 2023, down from 3,852,200 tonnes CO₂e in 2014. The largest reductions were seen in the Stationary Energy and Waste sectors.
• Corporate (City operations) GHG Emissions Reduction: Corporate GHG emissions decreased by 7% relative to the 2014 baseline. Emissions were 207,400 tonnes CO₂e in 2023, down from 222,200 tonnes CO₂e in 2014. The largest reductions were seen in the Streetlighting and Buildings sectors.
• Interim Targets: Despite these reductions, Saskatoon fell short of its 2023 interim targets. The City aimed for a community reduction of 15% below the 2014 baseline and a Corporate (City operations) reduction of 40% below the 2014 baseline. Updated interim targets based on remodeled projections toward the City’s 2050 net-zero emissions target will be included in the new Climate Action Plan, expected in 2025.

For the first time, this progress report includes information on the Green Network to recognize the importance of nature-based climate solutions in the City’s climate action planning.  While this reporting is at a starting point, nature-based climate solutions are key to achieving the net-zero emissions target of the new Climate Action Plan being detailed and delivered in 2025.

Progress on Key Plans

• Green Pathways: Progress includes the initiation of natural area management plans for the Small Swale and Richard St Barbe Baker Afforestation Area, planning to install food forests in Leif Erickson Park and Boughton Park, and the incorporation of green network considerations into park upgrade designs for Parkridge Park, John Avant Park, Forestry Farm Linkage, Balsam Park, Parc Canada, Buena Vista Park, Robert Hunter West Park, and Weaver Park.
• Low Emissions Community (LEC) Plan: Highlights include completion of 100 residential home energy efficiency retrofits through the Home Energy Loan Program (HELP), construction of a BRT Pilot Station, a 33% waste diversion rate, and significant savings from park and sports field irrigation pilots.
• Corporate Climate Adaptation Strategy: Progress includes the establishment of the Climate Adaptation Program, implementation of weather-related procedures for outdoor staff, and completion of a Crisis Communications Plan.

Benefits 

Climate action not only addresses environmental concerns but also enhances health, quality of life, and economic stability. It offers long-term savings and reduces risks for the community.

The Green network supports biodiversity, mitigates extreme weather impacts, and improves storm water management, while promoting health and well-being through access to green spaces, recreational opportunities, and enhanced urban aesthetics. 

The City of Saskatoon remains committed to its sustainability goals and will continue to work towards a sustainable future.

Learn more about Saskatoon's climate action progress at saskatoon.ca/ClimateTargets or visit saskatoon.ca/ClimateDashboard for specific tracking on the Low Emissions Community Plan.

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

NEW - NIGHTWORK

CIRCLE DR E WB MEDIAN LANE CLOSED AT PRESTON AVE S
(Guardrail improvements )
Start: December 4, 7:00 p.m. End: December 5, 6:00 a.m.

CIRCLE DR E EB MEDIAN LANE CLOSED AT PRESTON AVE S
(Guardrail improvements)
Start: December 5, 7:00 p.m. End: December 6, 6:00 a.m.

ONGOING

19TH ST E EB & WB MEDIAN LANES CLOSED FROM 2ND AVE S TO 3RD AVE S
(Crane hoist)
Start: December 3, 7:00 a.m. End: December 7, 5:00 p.m.

19TH ST E EB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 2ND AVE S TO 3RD AVE S
(Building Maintenance )
Start: November 19, 7:00 a.m. End: December 11, 5:00 p.m.

24TH ST E WB LANES CLOSED FROM 6TH AVE N TO 5TH AVE N
(SL&P construction)
Start: August 7, 8:00 a.m. End: December 11, 5:00 p.m.

4TH AVE N NB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 22ND ST E TO 23RD ST E
(Vault repairs)
Start: September 16, 7:00 a.m. End: December 13, 4:00 p.m.

8TH ST E ROAD CLOSED FROM MCORMOND DR TO ZIMMERMAN RD
(Road construction)
No access to Zimmerman Rd from 8th St
Start: June 10, 7:00 a.m. End: December 20, 5:00 p.m.

BRIGHTON BLVD ROAD CLOSED FROM TASKAMANWA ST TO 8TH ST E
(Construction)
Use McOrmond Dr
Start: November 20, 2023, 7:00 a.m. End: September 26, 2025, 5:00 p.m.

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

For more information about current road restrictions and construction, visit saskatoon.ca/construction.

The province-wide household packaging and paper recycling program led by SK Recycles has launched. SARCAN depots are now accepting several materials that were previously hard to recycle. This means residents of Saskatchewan can now responsibly recycle the following items:

• Flexible plastics including plastic bags, zipper-lock pouches and crinkly packages,
• Foam packaging including takeout containers and foam trays.

As a reminder, the City’s curbside and multi-unit recycling programs do not accept flexible plastics or foam packaging. Flexible plastics can jam or damage recycling sorting equipment. Both flexible plastics and foam packaging materials are hard to separate from other recyclable items and could result in other materials no longer being recycled.

We encourage residents to recycle these material types at any SARCAN depot. For more information, visit What Can I Recycle? - SK Recycles or SARCAN Recycling to find your nearest location.

Millar Avenue will be closed between 58th and 57th streets starting this morning for unplanned hydrant repairs. Detours will be in place guiding motorists around the work zone. This project is expected to take one day to complete, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances. 

Saskatoon Transit may be affected by these detours. Transit service alerts and real-time bus information are available on third-party apps like Transit and Google Maps Transit on desktop.                              

For more information about current road restrictions and construction, visit saskatoon.ca/construction.

Direct service from the Special Events Stop (23rd Street and 2nd Avenue) to see the Saskatoon Blades take on the Red Deer Rebels at SaskTel Centre on Wednesday, December 4 at 7:00 p.m., is available at the following times:

• 5:45 p.m.
• 6:25 p.m.

Post-event drop-off is at the downtown terminal and regular fares apply ($3.00 per trip). Fare can be purchased on your mobile phone using either the TGo or transit app, transfers and passes are also accepted. Typically, buses arrive onsite 30 minutes prior to the end of the event.

Plan your trip to events at SaskTel Centre on Route 333 using the Transit app up to two weeks in advance. Check out the Transit+ feature to help make connections that combine Transit with OnDemand Transit, riide, and Uber. Download the Transit app from the Apple Store or Google Play.

Transit service times for special events at SaskTel Centre and other popular destinations can always be found at SaskatoonTransit.ca/plan-my-trip/popular-destinations. Experience the convenience of using Saskatoon Transit to attend all your favourite events.

City Council today unanimously approved the City of Saskatoon’s 2025 Adjusted Business Plan and Budget. After a day and a half of deliberations, the new City Council made key adjustments to the City’s fiscal plan, increasing investments in priority areas like community safety and snow and ice management, while doing so in an affordable way. To that end, City Council voted to increase the funding for the City’s snow and ice management program by an additional $500,000 bringing the total increase for this program to $1.6 million. City Council also voted to increase investment in policing by $8.5 million and added additional bylaw inspectors to address safety concerns.

The 2025 budget deliberations got off to a good start as the Administration revised its fiscal forecast by adding $2 million in investment income. “This is a welcome development,” says Chief Financial Officer, Clae Hack. “Investment revenue continues to outperform our expectations as bond yields have remained higher than forecasted and we continue to have higher bank interest than originally planned, despite several Bank of Canada interest rate reductions.”

City Council made additional adjustments during the deliberation process and, together, these measures trimmed the 2025 property tax increase by almost one full percentage point, as City Council landed on a 4.96 per cent property tax increase to help pay for crucial investments.

“I applaud the work of our new Council for working together to reduce the budget, while also investing in strong core services,” said Mayor Cynthia Block. “New support for homelessness, community safety and the snow and ice budget will help to meet the demands of our growing city.”

Despite the proposed property tax increase, the City of Saskatoon has among the lowest municipal property tax levels for both residential and non-residential properties in Canada.

The City’s 2025 budget address key priorities in a time of unprecedented growth. Estimates indicate that Saskatoon added more than 26,000 residents in just two years, and its population is estimated to be at or near 308,000 in 2024. This rapid growth, coupled with a strong labor market and one of Canada’s lowest unemployment rates, has driven unprecedented demand for City services.

At the same time, rising costs for service contracts, construction, materials, and supplies have placed significant pressure on service delivery. The 2025 budget tackled those challenges by responsibly investing in the core services that ensure the safety, mobility, and quality of life for all Saskatoon residents.

The City’s 2024-2025 Business Plan and Budget invests in the areas that matter most to the people of Saskatoon – transportation, public safety, and community support. In particular, the 2025 budget builds on the fiscal plan set out by City Council almost two years ago. It delivers record funding into essential projects, services, and programs that reflect the City’s ongoing efforts to balance fiscal sustainability with community priorities.

The City thanks all residents, organizations and business owners in Saskatoon who wrote in or spoke to City Council regarding the 2025 budget. We value all input received from the community at large.

The finalized 2024/2025 Multi-Year Business Plan and Budget document will be made available on saskatoon.ca/budget once ready.

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

NEW

CIRCLE DR E WB MEDIAN LANE CLOSED AT PRESTON AVE S
(Guardrail improvements)
Start: December 4, 7:00 p.m. End: December 5, 6:00 a.m.

ONGOING

MILLAR AVE ROAD CLOSED FROM 58TH ST E TO 57TH ST E
(Hydrant repair)
Start: December 3, 8:00 a.m. End: December 4, 5:00 p.m.

CIRCLE DR E WB MEDIAN LANE CLOSED AT PRESTON AVE S
(Guardrail improvements)
Start: December 3, 7:00 p.m. End: December 4, 6:00 a.m.

29TH ST W ROAD CLOSED FROM AVE B N TO AVE C N
(Service line replacement)
Start: December 3, 7:00 a.m. End: December 4, 6:00 p.m.

24TH ST E WB LANES CLOSED FROM 6TH AVE N TO 5TH AVE N
(SL&P)
Start: August 7, 8:00 a.m. End: December 6, 5:00 p.m.

19TH ST E EB LANES & WB MEDIAN LANE CLOSED FROM 2ND AVE S TO 3RD AVE S
(Crane hoist)
Start: December 3, 7:00 a.m. End: December 7, 5:00 p.m.

19TH ST E EB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 2ND AVE S TO 3RD AVE S
(Construction)
Start: November 19, 7:00 a.m. End: December 11, 5:00 p.m.

4TH AVE N NB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 22ND ST E TO 23RD ST E
(Vault repairs)
Start: September 16, 7:00 a.m. End: December 13, 4:00 p.m.

8TH ST E ROAD CLOSED FROM MCORMOND DR TO ZIMMERMAN RD
(Road construction)
No access to Zimmerman Rd from 8th St
Start: June 10, 7:00 a.m. End: December 20, 5:00 p.m.

BRIGHTON BLVD ROAD CLOSED FROM TASKAMANWA ST TO 8TH ST E
(Construction)
Use McOrmond Dr
Start: November 20, 2023, 7:00 a.m. End: September 26, 2025, 5:00 p.m.

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

For more information about current road restrictions and construction, visit saskatoon.ca/construction.

The City celebrates the contributions to our community from persons with disabilities on December 3, the International Day of Persons with Disabilities. Persons with disabilities add to the richness and diversity of our community and bring unique perspectives and strengths that benefit us all. This day is dedicated to celebrating the invaluable contributions of persons with disabilities in all aspects of life, including the workplace. 

In 2022, the disability rate for persons aged 15 years and over in Canada was 27 percent, which is nearly 8 million people. That’s why it is so important that we create and maintain a community that provides the supports and inclusivity that makes every resident feel valued and welcome regardless of abilities. It is also important to create and ensure that our work environments are spaces where everyone can thrive. 

This year and next, the City will develop an accessibility plan that aligns with the standards set out in the new Accessible Saskatchewan Act. This Act is designed to address barriers for people with disabilities in Saskatchewan. In accordance with the Act and working with an advisory committee that includes persons with disabilities and those who work and advocate for persons with disabilities, the City of Saskatoon will work to identify, remove, and prevent these barriers and make our community more inclusive and accessible. 

The International Day of Persons with Disabilities was established in 1992 at the United National General Assembly. 
 
-30- 

The warming location at St. Mary’s on Avenue O South will be open as of December 2, 2024. St. Mary’s will be operated by the Salvation Army and will be open overnight from 11:00 p.m. to 8:00 a.m. every day of the week. This new location is in addition to the Saskatoon Indian and Métis Friendship Centre (SIMFC), which is open every day from 11:00 p.m. to 9:00 a.m.

On November 27, 2024, City Council approved a contribution of $200,000 in City funds to support the $1.2M Winter Navigation and Warming Centres capital project. The remaining $1M in funding was received from other levels of government, local community organizations and private contributions. The acquired funding will support:

• Evening warming centre operated by The Saskatoon Indian and Métis Friendship Centre located on Wall Street
• Overnight warming location for women operated by the Saskatoon Indian and Métis Friendship Centre located on Wall Street
• Overnight warming location for men at St. Mary’s Parish on 20th Street operated by the Salvation Army
• Additional overnight outreach services operated by Sawēyihtotān

“We are truly thankful to all our partners who have been actively engaged in a collaborative process and who have been instrumental in getting these two overnight warming locations operational,” says Pamela Goulden-McLeod, Director of Emergency Management Organization. “As temperatures drop, our priority is to provide a warm safe location for all residents during the winter. We recognize homelessness is a complex issue that requires a comprehensive community response and we remain committed to looking out for our most vulnerable residents and relatives.”

Additionally, there are many daytime warm-up locations available for those needing to find somewhere to get out of the cold weather. Posters with this information are printed and available through key partners in the community and an informational graphic is available on the Saskatoon Fire Department and City of Saskatoon social media channels for sharing.

For more information about the warming locations and the Saskatoon Winter Emergency Response Plan, visit saskatoon.ca/cold.