News Releases

The City of Saskatoon has once again achieved a ‘AAA’ credit rating with a “Stable” outlook, confirmed today by S&P Global Ratings (S&P). The City has maintained the highest rating possible for 23 years since S&P first began affirming the City’s rating in 2002.  

“Saskatoon City Council and the Administration are committed to fiscal responsibility and transparency as we focus on delivering high-quality civic services and programs to residents today and into the future. The endorsement by S&P confirms that we continue to be on the right track,” says Clae Hack, Chief Financial Officer.  

“While we are excited to receive the ‘AAA’/Stable credit once again, it’s not something we take for granted,” says Hack. “This rating reaffirms that the City is managing its finances responsibly as we continue to focus on planning appropriately to ensure we can meet the needs of our growing city now and for years to come.”  

S&P rates the City of Saskatoon’s institutional framework as “extremely predictable and supportive” and bases credit context on having “effective financial management practices [that] will support strong operating balances.”  

S&P’s rationale and outlook contributing to the confirmation of the City’s strong credit rating within the January 15, 2025, S&P Global Ratings Direct® Report states: 

• “Saskatoon’s small, diverse economy and strong population growth will support its creditworthiness.” 

• “We expect the City’s strong financial management, coupled with an extremely predictable and supportive institutional framework, will support the rating.”  

• “Saskatoon’s strong and prudent financial management is a key credit strength, in our view. Although the recent municipal elections resulted in a historic turnover among council, the city’s administration remains largely stable, with significant experience and a record of effectively enacting fiscal policies.”  

• “We view both management accountability and transparency to be strong, as reflected in ongoing disclosures and grounded assumptions, as well as prudent financial policies.” 

• “The City consistently produces robust annual budget documents. It also prepares multi-year operating and capital budgets for upcoming years, alongside comprehensive long-term capital and borrowing plans. This underpins fiscal transparency and discipline, in our assessment.” 

S&P Global report indicates that the City of Saskatoon’s strong budgetary performance will ensure a manageable debt burden amid large capital expenditures including Link (Bus Rapid Transit), infrastructure maintenance, and firehalls. With these projects being partially funded out of the City’s reserves, S&P expects after-capital surpluses averaging 2.8% of revenues during the base-case period.  

“The City is moving forward with significant projects, such as Link, that support the needs of a growing city,” says Hack. “We are confident in our plans to deliver these projects in a fiscally responsible manner, and this is underpinned by S&P’s assessment.” 

Credit ratings are one of several tools that investors and lenders use when making decisions regarding an organization’s future financial strengths and weaknesses. For the City of Saskatoon, the ‘AAA’/Stable rating serves as an indication of the City’s credit risk and ability to meet its financial obligations in full and on time. 

View reports on the City of Saskatoon’s financial performance and credit rating history at saskatoon.ca. 

Avenue H will be closed between 37th and 35th streets on Thursday, January 16, starting at 8:00 a.m. for sewer inspections. 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 Portland Winterhawks at SaskTel Centre on Wednesday, January 15 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.

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

NEW

SPADINA CRES E ROAD CLOSED FROM DUCHESS ST TO QUEEN ST
(Unplanned water main repair) 
Start: January 14, 7:00 a.m. End: January 15, 5:00 p.m.

108TH ST W WB LANES CLOSED FROM RITA AVE TO BRYANS AVE
(Underground maintenance)
Start: January 15, 9:00 a.m. End: January 15, 12:00 p.m.

ONGOING

4TH AVE N NB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 22ND ST E TO 23RD ST E
(SL&P work)
Start: January 6, 8:00 a.m. End: January 20, 5:00 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: January 24, 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, 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.

Spadina Crescent is currently closed between Duchess and Queen streets due to water pooling from a water main break on an adjacent roadway. Detours are in place guiding motorists around the work zone. This work is expected to take one day to complete, weather permitting and barring any unforeseen circumstances. Water main repairs are expected to start tomorrow morning.

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.

Saskatoon Light & Power will begin removing seasonal decorations starting January 15. Over the next few weeks, work will impact various roadways including:

• University Bridge – Tuesday, January 21 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m., and from 1:00 p.m. to 3:00 p.m.  
• 2^nd Avenue – Sunday, January 26, from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m.

This will be a moving work zone and will impact traffic in both directions. Drivers are reminded to slow down in work zones and be respectful of workers.

The Decorative Lighting Program provides lit and unlit seasonal decorations on street light poles in many of Saskatoon’s major commercial areas over the winter season. The decorations provide a welcoming ambience, supporting the Winter City Strategy by providing more lighting to make the darker winter season more inviting and beautiful. While some are removed in January, the remainder of the decorations are turned off and removed after the spring equinox.

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

NEW

BERINI DR SB CURB & CENTER LANES CLOSED FROM ATTRIDGE DR TO WEBSTER ST
(Concrete pour)
Start: January 14, 6:00 a.m. End: January 14, 2:00 p.m.

20TH ST W WB LANES CLOSED AT AVE R S
(Manhole repair)
Two-way traffic will be maintained in EB lanes
Start: January 14, 9:00 a.m. End: January 14, 12:00 p.m.

8TH ST E EB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM ACADIA DR TO MOSS AVE
(Streetlight install)
Start: January 14, 9:00 a.m. End: January 14, 1:00 p.m.

AVE W N ROAD CLOSED FROM BEDFORD RD TO RUSHOLME RD
(Sanitary sewer flushing)
Start: January 14, 9:00 a.m. End: January 14, 3:00 p.m.

ONGOING

BROADWAY AVE ROAD CLOSED FROM HILLIARD ST E TO ADELAIDE ST E
(Connection replacement)
Start: January 13, 7:00 a.m. End: January 14, 4:30 p.m.

4TH AVE N NB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 22ND ST E TO 23RD ST E
(SL&P work)
Start: January 6, 8:00 a.m. End: January 20, 5:00 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: January 24, 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, 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

BROADWAY AVE ROAD CLOSED FROM HILLIARD ST E TO ADELAIDE ST E
(Connection replacement)
Start: January 13, 7:00 a.m. End: January 14, 4:30 p.m.

HIGHWAY 5 EB & WB SPEED REDUCTIONS FROM MCORMOND DR TO HIGHWAY 41
(Light replacements)
Start: January 13, 9:00 a.m. End: January 13, 3:00 p.m.

ONGOING

4TH AVE N NB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 22ND ST E TO 23RD ST E
(SL&P work)
Start: January 6, 8:00 a.m. End: January 20, 5:00 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: January 24, 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, 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

RUSSELL RD INTERSECTION CLOSED AT ROBORECKI CRES
(Valve repair)
Start: January 11, 8:00 a.m. End: January 11, 5:00 p.m.

ONGOING

4TH AVE N NB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM 22ND ST E TO 23RD ST E
(SL&P work)
Start: January 6, 8:00 a.m. End: January 20, 5:00 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: January 24, 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, 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 service from the Special Events Stop (23rd Street and 2nd Avenue) to see the Saskatchewan Rush take on the Las Vegas Desert Dogs at SaskTel Centre on Saturday, January 11 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.