News Releases

*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

ATTRIDGE DR S EB CURB, CENTRE & NEXT LANE CLOSED AT KENDERDINE RD
(Emergency water main repair)
Start: February 29, 8:00 a.m. End: TBD

CIRCLE DR E WB CURB LANE CLOSED AT WARMAN RD
(Directional boring)
Closure will be set up from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. daily.
Start: February 29, 9:00 a.m. End: March 1, 3:00 p.m.

CENTRAL AVE NB CURB LANE CLOSED AT GRAY AVE
(Directional boring)
Start: February 27, 10:00 a.m. End: March 1, 6:00 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: 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.

Increased ridership leading to higher Transit revenues and lower than anticipated spending for snow clearing have, in part, contributed to a nearly $10 million 2023 civic operating budget surplus.

“I am pleased to report the City’s Civic Operating Preliminary 2023 Year-End Financial Results indicate a $9.9 million (1.68%) surplus,” says Clae Hack, Chief Financial Officer. “The City’s stabilization reserves, designed to deal with unforeseen circumstances such as higher than normal amounts of snow and fuel volatility, have been significantly relied upon in recent years because of the financial impacts from the pandemic. This surplus is recommended to replenish these reserves, so the City is well-prepared to respond to future financial challenges in a sustainable and proactive manner.”

The City of Saskatoon will present the Preliminary 2023 Year-End Financial Results and forecast for the year ending December 31, 2023, to the Standing Policy Committee on Finance on March 6, 2024.

It is important to recall that the 2023 Budget included an ambitious target of $5.7 million in savings in addition to structural budget and other post-pandemic revenue challenges.

“Administration took these targeted savings measures and budget challenges seriously in 2023. We adopted strict discretionary spending and hiring restrictions early in 2023 and continued it for the year. This resulted in approximately $5.5 million in savings,” says Hack.

In addition to the Administration’s savings efforts, favourable external factors experienced in 2023 contributed to the surplus of $9.9 million in 2023 which included:

• Fewer, smaller scale snow events in 2023 compared with typical years resulted in a $5.7 million surplus in the City’s snow and ice management program;
• A higher than anticipated interest rate environment resulted in $1.2 million in additional investment income;
• Temporary closure of Harry Bailey Aquatic Centre for renovations contributed to an overall surplus for Leisure Centres of $1.0 million; and 
• Notably, Saskatoon’s population grew by 14,000 in 2023; this helped contribute to significant increases in Transit and Access Transit revenues which, in turn, supported a quicker return to pre-pandemic ridership with $3.5 million in higher than budgeted revenues.

“While the Preliminary 2023 Financial results are certainly welcome based on the need to replenish the City’s stabilization reserves, it is important to note that this surplus has minimal impact on the 2024 Budget recently approved by City Council. We cannot budget for a future with no snow events, nor can we continue to budget for the $10 million in pandemic relief funding that was fully used in 2023. These items, along with unprecedented inflationary pressures and their impact on City services levels were the focus of extensive budget discussions. These realities have not changed because of this surplus,” adds Hack.

The City Administration recommends using the surplus of $9.9 million, as follows:

• The $5.7 million surplus related to Snow and Ice Operations be added into the Snow and Ice Management Contingency Reserve. This will bring the reserve to a balance of approximately $6.2 million to provide funding in future years for higher-than-normal snowfall; and
• The remaining $4.2 million civic surplus be allocated to the Fiscal Stabilization Reserve, bringing the balance to approximately $5.8 million which will then be available to offset future operating budget deficits or challenges.

“The recommendations presented in this report provide City Council and the public with assurance that the City’s stabilization reserve funds will be replenished and available for future unforeseen financial challenges,” Hack adds. “The City’s approach to stabilization reserves has been a key tool for the City to utilize in addressing unforeseen financial challenges, without impacting service levels. This approach is a proven Municipal Government Financial best practice.”

In addition to the City’s Property Tax Supported or Civic Operating Budget, the City Utilities, funded by Utility charges including Saskatoon Light & Power, Storm Water, Saskatoon Water/Wastewater and Waste Services also posted a surplus of $10.96 million (2.75%).This surplus was largely due to a longer and warmer than normal summer which resulted in higher electricity and water usage. Cost savings were realized as the City’s Utilities also put in place discretionary hiring and spending restrictions for the majority of 2023 in alignment with Civic operations.

For additional context, the Water/Wastewater Utilities experienced three deficits and three surpluses in the past six years (including 2023). The City’s operating budget, including Utilities, is always based on a variety of assumptions including weather fluctuations which impact the financial performance of the utilities significantly. Over the past six years (2018 – 2023), Saskatoon Water/Wastewater has realized an approximate 1.36% positive budget variance, and this has been used to help pay for infrastructure maintenance and required expansion which can help keep future rates lower and reduces the need to borrow money.

The recommendations for City Council on the allocation of the surplus funds in 2023 are subject to the confirmation of the City’s year-end financial status, conducted annually via the external accountant’s audit process. The City’s 2023 Annual Report will be released this summer.

Visit saskatoon.ca/budget.

Saskatoon Transit is warning residents of a Multi-Use-Go-Pass fare scam on social media and through a fraudulent website.  

The fraudulent social media account and posts are promoting a scam offer for a $2.35 Multi-Use-Go-Pass–the actual cost of a Multi-Use Pass is $8.50. Additionally, a website attached to this account is falsely claiming to be a Saskatoon Transit online page promoting "500 free travel cards" through an online survey. This deceptive scheme aims to trick individuals into purchasing a fake pass and disclosing personal information under the appearance of a competition. 

How to identify a potential scam: 

• The scam offers seem too good to be true.  
• The website may not be an official webpage or social media account page.  
• Requests for personal or financial information are a red flag.    

Helpful reminders to help protect residents from potential scammers:   

• The City never requests or collects credit card, bank accounts or any sort of personal information from customers via phone, text, social media, or email.   
• Never give out your personal or banking information, or credit card number via phone, text, social media, email, or on a non-trusted website. It is a best practice to block suspicious phone numbers, email addresses or social media accounts and delete them after reporting.   
• Do not click on suspicious web links.   
• Always verify information from trusted sources:  
  • Official website:  
    • Saskatoon.ca 
    • Saskatoontransit.ca or Transit.saskatoon.ca  
  • Social media channels:  
    • @cityofsaskatoon 
    • @stoontransit 

Scammers typically use the information gathered to get money or commit identity theft.  

Residents should contact their bank if they have become a victim of fraud, and report these types of phone or online scams to Saskatoon Police Service at saskatoonpolice.ca/onlinereporting/fraud/ or the Canadian Anti-Fraud Center, 1-888-495-8501. 

Concerned residents may also call the City of Saskatoon to speak with a Customer Service Representative at 306-975-2400.   

City Council today endorsed a motion to expand the site selection criteria for shelter spaces to be at least 250 metres from an elementary school (Public or Catholic).

This means the proposed location for the emergency shelter in former Fire Station #5 on Central Avenue will not proceed.

The City will continue to support the Government of Saskatchewan in its Provincial Approach to Homelessness through identifying sites for two new locations, each having approximately 30 shelter beds.

The process to date: how did we get here?

Late last year, the Government of Saskatchewan requested the City take the lead role in identifying sites for emergency shelters. The criteria the City developed to search for sites were as follows:

• Room for approximately 30 beds each
• Beds in an open shelter-type hall (with movable wall systems or partitions)
• Some private rooms (accessed internally)
• An area suitable for office space for site staff
• Showers, bathrooms, kitchen
• Internal and external gathering spaces (amenity spaces) available on site be considered
• Proximity to other services should be considered
• Zoned appropriately if possible, or applicable for consideration under the City’s Emergency Residential Shelter zoning provisions

Based on the above selection criteria, former Fire Station #5 on Central Avenue had been identified as a site for one of the emergency shelter locations.

What’s changed?

After hearing community concerns, City Council has directed the Administration use the previously approved criteria and added one additional criterion as follows:

• At least 250 metres from an elementary school in the Saskatoon Public School or Greater Saskatoon Catholic School system.

As a result, all neighbourhood information sessions scheduled for Sutherland area residents and businesses will be cancelled and the Administration will seek alternate sites that meet the new criteria. 

The City will hold a gathering at City Hall on Friday, March 1 to kick off Cultural Diversity and Race Relations Month (March). This gathering will take place between 10 a.m. and 11 a.m. in Council Chambers at Saskatoon City Hall. The event is open to all.

Attendees will hear remarks from special guests about the importance of diversity and inclusion and combatting racism in our community. Speakers include: Mayor Charlie Clark, Saskatoon Tribal Chief Mark Arcand, Saskatchewan Human Rights Commission Chief Commissioner Treena Skiora, Executive Director of People Bridge Advocacy Senos Timon, and Métis youth Autumn Calvez.

Chair of the City's Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee, Amanda Guthrie, will act as Master of Ceremonies.

Attendees will also be treated to cultural performances by Sushmitta Dutta, Ameya School of Dance (“Bollywood Solo”), and USask Confucius Institute (“Chinese Lion Dance”).

Following the program in Council Chambers, the Race Relations Flag will be raised in Civic Square where it will remain raised for one week. 

Since 1990, Saskatoon City Council has proclaimed March Cultural Diversity and Race Relations Month — an opportunity to heighten awareness about diversity, equity, and inclusion. Several activities are planned for the month of March in recognition of cultural diversity and race relations. To learn more, visit saskatoon.ca/RaceRelations.