News Releases

On March 5, 2025, the City of Saskatoon will present the Preliminary Year-End Financial Results for the year ending December 31, 2024, to the Standing Policy Committee on Finance.

“I am pleased to report that the City’s preliminary 2024 year-end financial results indicate a surplus of $12.27 million, representing a 1.96% favourable variance from our approved civic budget,” says Clae Hack, Chief Financial Officer. “The City’s investment portfolio performed better than expected and contributed $9.14 million to this surplus, thanks to stronger interest rates and higher bond returns than originally planned in the budget.”

After accounting for the $9.14 million investment income surplus, the remaining civic operating budget realized a surplus of $3.13 million, equivalent to a 0.50% variance from the approved civic budget of $626.18 million. Some of the other key variances in 2024 that contributed to this surplus include: (Appendix 2 provides a detailed overview of all operating budget variances in 2024)

Transit Operations generated a $4.96 million surplus: 

• Transit revenues were $2.10 million higher than anticipated due to increased ridership and higher than expected UPass revenue.
• in addition, Transit had expenditure savings of $2.86 million primarily due to fuel and salary savings and vacant positions.

Administration engaged to find corporate-wide savings of $4.87 million:

• to help offset budgetary pressures, Administration gained favourable savings in staff training and travel, staff vacancies, materials, office supplies and other expenditures among the Civic Operating or Property Tax supported Business Lines.

Offset by a $6.48 million deficit in the Snow & Ice Management program: 

• activation of the Roadways Emergency Snow Response Plan (ERP) in March 2024 resulted in a $5.50 million deficit.
• 9 additional snow events in 2024 compared to the annual budgeted number of 5 to 6 snow events, caused an additional $980,000 overage.

“Administration recommends that the majority of the 2024 surplus be allocated to the City’s Fiscal Stabilization Reserve, which has been heavily relied upon in recent years,” Hack adds. “We recommend transferring funds to bring the Fiscal Stabilization Reserve to $17.04 million, leaving $6.90 million in the Snow and Ice Management Contingency Reserve. This allocation will help offset future operating budget deficits or other unforeseen challenges that may arise in the coming years.” 

Utilities 2024 Year-End Results: Details Appendix 3

The following City Utility surpluses or deficits were realized in 2024, resulting in an overall $10.73 million surplus or 2.46% positive variance from the approved budget:

• Water Utility reported a year-end surplus of $5.80 million.
• Wastewater Utility reported a year-end surplus of $4.10 million.
• Waste Services Utility reported a year-end surplus of $757,018.
• Storm Water Management Utility reported a year-end surplus of $220,129.
• Saskatoon Light & Power (SL&P) reported a deficit of $145,820.

The recommendations on the allocation of the surplus funds in 2024 are subject to the confirmation of the City’s year-end financial status as conducted by the annual external accountant’s audit process. The City’s 2024 Annual Report will be next released this summer.

The City of Saskatoon is committed to ongoing financial transparency, accountability and sound financial management. This is evidenced in its historically stable budgetary performance; the City has retained the ‘AAA’/Stable credit rating for twenty-three years, since S&P first began affirming the City’s credit rating in 2002.

For more information visit saskatoon.ca/budget

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

NEW

CIRCLE DR W NB CURB LANE CLOSED AT CLANCY DR
(Utility locates and road inspections)
Start: February 27, 10:00 a.m. End: February 27, 2:00 p.m.

ONGOING

LORNE AVE ROAD CLOSED FROM 8TH ST E TO 7TH ST E
(Connection replacement)
Start: February 26, 8:30 a.m. End: February 27, 5:00 p.m.

BRIGHTON BLVD ROAD CLOSED FROM TASKAMANWA ST TO 8TH ST E
(Construction)
Use McOrmond Dr
Start: November 20, 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 Clarence Downey Speed Skating Oval will be wrapping up for the season on Sunday, March 2, 2025.

Public skating hours for the final week of operation are Monday to Thursday from 11:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m., Saturday and Sunday from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.

The City of Saskatoon and Gordie Howe Sports Complex thank residents for their patronage. Public skating at the indoor municipal rinks will continue to be available in March. Visit dropinschedule.saskatoon.ca for the public skating schedule.

The City of Saskatoon is looking for resident input on creating a more accessible, inclusive and barrier free community for everyone who lives, works and plays here.

“Over the next year, the City must develop an accessibility plan that reflects the needs and experiences of all residents,” says Stryker Calvez, Director of Reconciliation, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (REDI) for the City of Saskatoon. “We recognize the responsibility we have to find, fix, and remove barriers so that everyone, especially people with accessibility needs, can be part of strong and inclusive communities.” Developing an accessibility plan for the City is a requirement of the Accessible Saskatchewan Act, which states that the City must have a plan in place by December 2025.

In order to create this plan, the City is looking for resident participation to complete an accessibility survey. The survey opens February 27 and can be found on the City’s Engage page. It will remain open until March 27, 2025. After completing the survey, residents will have an option to sign up to participate in focus groups and to be eligible for a random draw for one of many $50 gift certificates.

“We have done a lot of work to make these surveys as accessible as possible,” says Calvez. “There are options to complete long or short form surveys and we have tested them to ensure they are compatible with assistive technology, such as screen readers.” Paper copies of the survey will be made available and other options exist for those who request them.

Developing a plan for improved accessibility is not just about making buildings more accessible, although that is important. It is about providing information and employment opportunities in more accessible ways such as making information assistive technology friendly and using language translation services. “We also need to hear from our residents about how we can improve their accessibility and our accommodations when it comes to transportation, service animals and buying goods and services from the City,” says Calvez.

Removing barriers and improving accessibility in our communities is a complex task. “We fully recognize that we may not get everything right the first time,” says Calvez. “There is going to be some trial and error but we are committed to working with our communities to create a more inclusive community for everyone.”

Residents can learn more about the plan on our Accessibility Plan page.
 

As Saskatoon transitions into spring, City crews are proactively managing the melt by clearing snow and ice from priority drainage routes and known problem areas. While some temporary pooling is expected, crews are prepared to respond to drainage concerns as needed. 

How Residents Can Help 

If you notice significant water pooling or a blocked catch basin, check if it's covered by snow or ice. Clearing it, if safe to do so, can help water drain more efficiently. If the issue persists, report it to the Customer Care Centre at 306-975-2476 or customercare@saskatoon.ca to ensure it is properly categorized and prioritized for response. 

What to Expect 

As temperatures rise, standing water may become more noticeable, particularly in areas with heavy snow accumulation. Crews will inspect and prioritize emergency flooding locations that pose a risk to property, major roadways, and pedestrian access, aiming to address these within the same day. 

Non-emergency pooling—such as water collecting on residential streets that does not impact traffic—may take several days to resolve as temperatures fluctuate and melting continues. 

Back Lanes 

Gravel back lanes can become muddy and uneven as the ground thaws. While it may seem like they need immediate grading after the snow melts, heavy equipment cannot be used until the lanes have dried enough to prevent further damage. Crews will begin grading operations as soon as surface conditions allow, ensuring all back lanes are addressed as part of the regular spring maintenance cycle. 

Potholes & Utility Cuts 

As snow melts, water seeps into road cracks, leading to soft gravel utility cuts where a utility company has excavated the road for a repair, and potholes. Crews are maintaining utility cuts and performing temporary cold-mix repairs on high-priority streets, with permanent hot-mix asphalt repairs beginning in mid to late April when hot-mix becomes available from suppliers. Residents can report potholes via the Customer Care Centre or the Report-a-Pothole tool at saskatoon.ca/potholes. 

Street Sweeping 

While snow-clearing equipment remains on standby for any late-season storms, spring pre-sweeping is expected to begin in mid-April, starting with Priority streets and Business Improvement Districts. Removing debris and sand early helps minimize dust and prepares streets for full sweeping operations later in the season. 

For more information on spring melt preparations and lot drainage tips, visit saskatoon.ca/snowmelt.

Lorne Avenue will be closed between 8th and 7th streets starting Thursday, February 27, at 8:30 a.m. for a connection replacement. Detours will be in place guiding motorists around the work zone. This project is expected to take two days 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

11TH ST W EB LANES CLOSED FROM AVE R S TO AVE Q S
(Tree maintenance)
Start: February 26, 9:00 a.m. End: February 26, 1:00 p.m.

33RD ST W EB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM AVE B N TO IDYLWYLD DR N
(Sign installation)
Start: February 26, 9:00 a.m. End: February 26, 5:00 p.m.

ONGOING

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: February 26, 5:00 p.m.

BRIGHTON BLVD ROAD CLOSED FROM TASKAMANWA ST TO 8TH ST E
(Construction)
Use McOrmond Dr
Start: November 20, 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.

Crews have been working day and night clearing snow from residential and industrial streets across the city, with 30 of Saskatoon’s 65 neighbourhoods completed as of Tuesday morning. The goal remains to reduce the six to seven inches (15 to 18 cm) of compacted snow and ice on streets to below four inches (10 cm or less), helping to prevent severe rutting and mobility challenges as temperatures rise. 

With warmer weather continuing this week, graders have been able to cut through more snow and ice pack, improving road conditions, and ensuring long-term mobility as we approach spring. 

What you should expect: 

• Snow is being stored in parking lanes, with efforts to maintain as much street width as possible. 

• Some streets will be narrowed due to snow storage, but roads will remain passable. 

• Snow removal is limited to select narrow streets where additional space is needed for mobility. 

• Overnight snow removal on priority streets will continue.  

• Crews are working to keep catch basins open where possible, prioritizing flood-prone areas to improve drainage. 

Residents are encouraged to move vehicles off-street where possible to support effective clearing. 

To view the residential street clearing schedule, visit saskatoon.ca/snow. 

The warmer weather is also causing water pooling on some streets and in back lanes. If safe to do so, clear catch basins blocked by ice or snow to help drainage, or contact the City’s Customer Care Centre at 306-975-2476. Avoid driving through puddles, as they may also be hiding a pothole. Please report potholes that have formed as a result of the snow melt through the Report a Pothole map.  

Residents are reminded to keep an eye on their own properties. Ensuring that water can drain away from your home, clearing any blocked drainage paths, and working with neighbours to direct meltwater safely can all help prevent issues. For more information and tips for improving drainage visit saskatoon.ca/springmelt. 

The City of Saskatoon is proud to announce its recognition as one of Canada’s Best Diversity Employers for 2025. This honour reflects the City's ongoing commitment to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace.

"At the City, we want our employee population to reflect the residents that we serve every day and have our community see themselves in our organization. Every year we are improving, and we remain committed to creating a workplace where everyone can thrive," says Chelsey Mack, Director of HR Shared Services.

The City’s diversity and inclusiveness initiatives are wide-ranging and ongoing from reaching out to community through career fairs and recruitment presentations, to hosting a Reconciliation Town Hall for employees where a smudging ceremony was held in council chambers for the first time.

The City also values the essential connection between mental wellness and Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) initiatives. “We are committed to fostering a workplace where everyone feels empowered to be their authentic selves, free from the need to hide any part of their identity,” says Mack.

Canada's Best Diversity Employers recognizes employers across Canada that have exceptional workplace diversity and inclusiveness programs. This competition recognizes successful diversity initiatives in a variety of areas, including programs for employees from five groups: (a) women; (b) members of visible minorities; (c) persons with disabilities; (d) Indigenous peoples; and (e) lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) peoples.

Canada's Best Diversity Employers for 2025 are published and distributed online today in The Globe and Mail and on Eluta.ca. The City has now been honoured with this award for the tenth time.

Direct service from the Special Events Stop (23rd Street and 2nd Avenue) to see the Saskatoon Blades take on the Lethbridge Hurricanes at SaskTel Centre on Tuesday, February 25 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.