News Releases

This PSA has been updated to reflect correct dates.

One in every four trees in Saskatoon is an elm tree and threatened by Dutch elm disease (DED). The City reminds residents that the provincial ban on pruning elm trees is from Monday, April 1 to Saturday, August 31, 2024. 

Provincial regulations also prohibit the storing, transport and use of elm wood for any purpose. This includes wood chips, firewood, wood slabs and branches. The only permitted movement of elm wood is to the City’s designated disposal site at the City Landfill.  

What is DED? 

DED is a serious disease caused by a fungus that clogs the elm tree’s water and nutrient conducting system, which eventually causes the tree to die. DED was introduced in North America in the 1930s and has since wiped out millions of elms across Canada and the United States.   

How is DED spread? 

In Saskatchewan, the disease is spread by several species of elm bark beetles. These beetles can fly farther than two kilometres in search of elm trees. The DED fungus has tiny spores that stick to the body of the beetle. Elm bark beetles can carry these spores and infect other elm trees. The fungus can also be spread by infected pruning tools. 

You can help prevent DED by: 

• Not pruning elms during the provincial pruning ban (April 1 to August 31) 
• Not bringing elm wood into the city, storing elm wood for more than a day, or burning elm firewood  
• Always disposing of elm wood at the City Landfill 
• Sanitizing tools after working on elm trees 
• Not building treehouses in elm trees, as the nail and screw holes can attract elm bark beetles  
• Reporting dead or dying elm trees or branches to the City

How to identify and report unhealthy elm trees and firewood 

American elm trees with DED may start showing symptoms as early as June. Typically, the leaves will start to wilt and turn yellow, then curl and turn brown. If you suspect an unhealthy elm tree or are unsure of what type of firewood you have, take a photo and complete the online form at saskatoon.ca/dutchelmdisease or call Urban Forestry at 306-975-2890. 

Anyone wishing to prune elm trees during the ban must obtain a permit and are asked to call the City’s Parks Department at 306-975-2890 for more information. By following the provincial regulations and maintaining elm trees on your private property, all residents can help prevent the spread of DED in Saskatoon.  

For more information on DED, visit saskatoon.ca/dutchelmdisease  

Starting Tuesday, April 2, 2024, to serve the public conveniently and best, residents who would like to discuss assessment matters with a City assessor, will only have to visit one centralized location, City Hall. In-person meetings will be by appointment only.

Previously, members of the public could visit the Assessment & Valuation Office one block north of City Hall; from April 2 onwards, the Assessment Office at 325 3^rd Avenue North, will be for City employee’s only with no public access.

“Our Assessment & Valuation team will continue to be as flexible as possible with members of the public seeking to meet with us by appointment at City Hall,” says Bryce Trew, City Assessor. “It remains important for us to have in-person meetings. Having conversations with property owners at a convenient centralized location helps us work through assessment-related questions residents may have. We are here to help.”

The Assessment & Valuation Office’s phoneline and email have not changed, there are three options to reach out:

• Conveniently send your assessment inquiry by email: assessmentsubmit@saskatoon.ca
• Call 306-975-3227 to discuss your assessment inquiry 8 am – 5 pm, Monday - Friday
• Call 306-975-3227 to schedule an in-person meeting with a City assessor at City Hall between 8:30 am – 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday.  

For more information about assessment and assessment appeals visit saskatoon.ca/assessment.

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

NEW

No new projects are scheduled to start on this date.

ONGOING

BRIGHTON BLVD ROAD CLOSED FROM TASKAMANWA ST TO 8TH ST E
(Construction)
Use McOrmond Dr
Start: November 20, 2023, 7:00 a.m. End: November 18, 2024, 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.

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

NEW

8TH ST E EB CURB & MEDIAN LANES CLOSED FROM VICTORIA AVE TO EASTLAKE AVE
(Manhole repair)
Traffic squeezed into parking lane
Start: March 24, 11:00 a.m. End: March 24, 1:00 p.m.

NIGHT WORK

PRESTON AVE N ROAD CLOSED FROM RESEARCH DR TO OLD PRESTON AVE N
(UofS transmission line conversion)
Start: March 22, 8:00 p.m. End: March 23, 3:00 a.m.

ONGOING

BRIGHTON BLVD ROAD CLOSED FROM TASKAMANWA ST TO 8TH ST E
(Construction)
Use McOrmond Dr
Start: November 20, 2023, 7:00 a.m. End: November 18, 2024, 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.

Direct bus service from the Special Events Stop (23rd Street and 2nd Avenue) to experience the Saskatoon Blades take on the Prince Albert Raiders at SaskTel Centre on Saturday, March 23, at 7 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.

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

NEW

CIRCLE DR W SB MEDIAN LANE CLOSED FROM AIRPORT DR TO 33RD ST W
(Storm sewer manhole survey)
Start: March 22, 10:30 a.m. End: March 22, 11:30 a.m.

PRESTON AVE N ROAD CLOSED FROM RESEARCH DR TO OLD PRESTON AVE
(UofS transmission line conversion)
Start: March 22, 8:00 p.m. End: March 23, 3:00 a.m.

ONGOING

BRIGHTON BLVD ROAD CLOSED FROM TASKAMANWA ST TO 8TH ST E
(Construction)
Use McOrmond Dr
Start: November 20, 2023, 7:00 a.m. End: November 18, 2024, 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.

On the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, and during Cultural Diversity and Race Relations Month, the City is pleased to announce the 2024 Living In Harmony Award recipients. These awards recognize outstanding achievements in contributing to community harmony through the elimination of racial discrimination.

 Watch the announcement video

2024 Award Recipients

• Classroom Award: Mr. Thorpe's Grade 4/5 Class at Brownell School for drafting their own personalized land acknowledgements. Students: Zander, Isla, Luke, Rayden, Brier, Sahil, Cali, Mitchell, Izzy, Peyton, Harlyn, Ava, Emelia, Yassine, James, Jeremy, Saif, Sadie, Winona, Tak, Dani, Dewarsh, Sean, Luanne, Jaxson, and Samuel.
• Student Group Award: Leia Dustyhorn, Ghazal Al Othman, River Cronk, and Olivia Martens from Buena Vista School. These Grade 6 students created a piece of art depicting a multitude of races marching side by side alongside the river.
• Student Award: Kyra Jackson (Grade 4) at Saskatoon French School and Hezekiah Imafidon (Grade 5) at St. Thérèse of Lisieux Catholic School. These students were selected for special recognition for their gifts and their contributions to ensuring others know the importance of Black History.
• Recognition Award – Individual: Nicole White, founder of Moon Time Connections—an Indigenous-led organization that has sent over 4 million menstrual products to northern and remote communities.
• Honourable Mention – Individual: Aisha Sharma for her poem sharing the perspective of a girl facing racist comments.
• Recognition Award – Organization: The International Women of Saskatoon (IWS) for providing a safe, inclusive, and inviting space for newly arrived Canadians.

Nominations/submissions were accepted between February 7 and March 7, 2024. The winners were selected by the City of Saskatoon's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) Advisory Committee. The committee members expressed how difficult it was to pick 2024 winners due to the high quality of submissions. Visit saskatoon.ca/LivingInHarmony to see a list of nominees the committee wished to recognize.

ATTACHED IMAGES (7): Classroom Winner, Student Group Winner, Student Group – artwork, Student Winners, Nicole White, Aisha Sharma - video capture, IWS Logo

Preston Avenue will be closed between Research Drive and Old Preston Avenue starting on Friday, March 22, at 8:00 p.m. for a transmission line conversion. Detours will be in place guiding motorists around the work zone. This project is expected to take one night 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.

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

NEW

No new projects are scheduled to start on this date.

ONGOING

BRIGHTON BLVD ROAD CLOSED FROM TASKAMANWA ST TO 8TH ST E
(Construction)
Use McOrmond Dr
Start: November 20, 2023, 7:00 a.m. End: November 18, 2024, 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.

City co-chaired Reconciliation Saskatoon is hosting the Rock Your Roots: Walk for Reconciliation on June 21, 2024—National Indigenous Peoples Day. This walk gathers Indigenous, non-Indigenous and newcomer peoples to honour the truth of the Residential schools and those who survived them, as well as demonstrate our collective commitment to reconciliation.

Rock Your Roots began in 2016 as part of the celebrations on June 21 to honour Indigenous Peoples in Canada. In 2022, the event was postponed due to weather and took place on September 30—the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. This tradition was continued in 2023, a decision made by Residential School Survivors. After Rock Your Roots last year, Survivors spoke about how they missed seeing school buses full of children arriving to the walk. Since schools are closed on September 30 to acknowledge the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, teachers are not able to facilitate the participation of their students in the Rock Your Roots event.

“I had a dream of walking for Residential School Survivors that didn’t have a voice,” says Jamie Fiddler, Residential School Survivor. “This Rock Your Roots walk is a covenant of truth or ‘tāpwēwin’ and reconciliation or ‘miyo-wâhkôhtowin.’ As we are one family, we walk and heal together, going into the future.”

Reconciliation Saskatoon creates lesson plans and activities for classrooms leading up to the event, so that learning and engagement takes place before, during, and after the Walk. With the 2024 Rock Your Roots returning to June 21, Reconciliation Saskatoon and Residential School Survivors can deepen their engagement with students across the city.

Participants of the Walk for Reconciliation are invited to “Rock Your Roots” by wearing orange or contemporary/cultural regalia, or carrying signs that celebrate their heritage. Knowledge Keepers will start the day with a ceremony. Residential School Survivors will be honoured by leading the walk. Along the route, an international cast of singers, dancers, and musicians will celebrate the diverse cultures of Saskatoon.

Reconciliation Saskatoon is grateful to the incredible community that has made this walk possible. Organizations like the Central Urban Métis Federation Inc. (CUMFI) have put the strength of their community behind Rock Your Roots.

“Rock Your Roots is a day we honour our Residential School Survivors by coming out and showing community support,” says Shirley Isbister, President of CUMFI. “Gather your families, friends, business, and office staff. Make signs, wear your cultural regalia, and come out and Rock Your Roots.”

Reconciliation Saskatoon also recognizes the incredible support of Community Investors. Blue Cross Saskatchewan was the first investor to come forward in 2024.

“Last year we had the privilege of being a part of this incredible display of diversity in our community,” says Kelly Wilson, President and CEO of Saskatchewan Blue Cross. “We’re excited to partner with Reconciliation Saskatoon to participate in the journey of Truth and Reconciliation in Saskatchewan and celebrate diversity in the province.”

Also returning to support the event: SIGA, SGI Canada, BHP, and Nutrien.

Reconciliation Saskatoon invites everyone in the community to get involved: as organizers, volunteers, community investors, and participants. For more information on the Rock your Roots: Walk for Reconciliation, please visit BeAConnectR.com/events.

ATTACHED: Images (4)
Photo credit to Alexander Willems for the following images: Shirley RYR 2023, RYR Sept 30-2023, Survivors Jamie and Rick