News Releases
Saskatoon Fire - News Releases
City to explore free public Wi-Fi through pilot project
February 2, 2022 - 10:19am
- youth
- seniors
- immigrants
- Indigenous peoples
- low-income
Many people in our community do not have the same opportunities to access online services. To address growing barriers and risks for those residents, the City of Saskatoon is launching a pilot project to provide free public Wi-Fi internet service to residents in a segment of Saskatoon’s core neighborhood area. The project status is outlined in a report for the Standing Policy Committee on Environment, Utilities and Corporate Services on Monday, February 7.
“This is an exciting project that can have immediate quality of life impacts for residents in the area,” says Celene Anger, Chief Officer of Strategy and Transformation. “Through the COVID pandemic, the City, other orders of government and community organizations, have moved services online. While this has improved service offerings for many, it has created a service gap for many people in Saskatoon.”
Commonly referred to as the ‘digital divide,’ the pilot project aims to help people currently without or with limited Internet access gain better access to online services and participate in today’s growing digital society. In December 2016, the federal government declared Internet access a basic right of all Canadian citizens. Cities across Canada are moving forward with initiatives to address this situation.
The pilot project explores a cost-effective City-delivered solution for approximately 1500 residents to access the Internet from or near their homes and in public areas at no cost. This project will be launched in an area of Saskatoon with a high percentage of residents as measured across five population groups:
With access to the Internet, residents will be able to access key tools like telehealth and learning applications as well as important information about housing, food, pandemic restrictions, and government services.
Moving ahead with project implementation, the City will issue a Request for Proposal (RFP) next week for a vendor to supply products to deliver wireless internet access points throughout the proposed area. The City will deliver high speed internet via fibre to the Saskatoon Fire Development Centre, a City-owned building located at 116 Avenue W South to serve as the connection point (hub) for these Wi-Fi devices. As the primary hub, a wireless signal will then be broadcast to the pilot area through the solution identified through the vendor’s RFP submission. The City is intending to install the wireless internet access points on City-owned streetlamps and power poles in the designated area.
“Through the RFP, we’re looking for a vendor to partner with us to determine the best tools to reach our goals of a strong Wi-Fi signal to the door of, and hopefully inside, the homes of residents in the pilot area,” says Anger. “We’re hoping to identify opportunities, problem-solve the challenges and evaluate the success of providing public Wi-Fi through this project.”
The pilot project valued at $250,000 is expected to become operational late summer/fall 2022 and run for one year. Financial support was made possible through City Council’s approval of a reallocation of funds as a result of Municipal Economic Enhancement Program (MEEP) 2020 funding. The project will be evaluated throughout the pilot phase, and the results of the evaluation will be used to guide City Wi-Fi strategies and any plans for future continuation or expansion of the program.
Daily Road Report - February 3, 2022
February 2, 2022 - 6:36am
*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only.
NEW
8TH ST E EB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM MCKERCHER DR TO BOYCHUK DR
(Pole replacement)
Start: February 3, 9:00 a.m. End: February 3, 12:00 p.m.
ONGOING
No projects are ongoing on Priority 1 streets as of this date.
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 accepting nominations for 2022 Living in Harmony Awards
February 2, 2022 - 2:25am
The City has opened the 2022 Call for Submissions for its annual Living in Harmony Awards. These awards recognize outstanding achievements in contributing to the elimination of racial discrimination in our community. They are presented annually in March, which the City of Saskatoon has proclaimed Cultural Diversity and Race Relations Month since 1990.
Any Saskatoon resident or organization that is contributing to the elimination of racism in Saskatoon is eligible for nomination. Saskatoon schools are also invited to have their students send in submissions in any expressive form (photos, art, written, video).
Nominations are being accepted until March 4, 2022 and the nomination form is available now at saskatoon.ca/LivingInHarmony.
The Living in Harmony Awards are part of the City’s commitment to foster an inclusive community where ethnocultural diversity is welcomed and valued, and where everyone can live with dignity and pursue their full potential without facing racism or discrimination. The winners are selected by the City of Saskatoon's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. They’ll be announced on March 21, 2022 which is the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
Priority streets grading progresses and blown-in areas clear
February 1, 2022 - 10:39am
City and contractor crews are making good progress on grading priority streets in all areas of Saskatoon after Monday’s blizzard. Crews also addressed the major streets that were blown in with snow from high winds. All priority streets will be graded by Friday morning; check our map to see which streets are graded after a snow event.
With a cold weather warning in effect by Environment & Climate Change Canada, drivers and sidewalk users should use caution at high-risk locations such as busy intersections, bridges and overpasses. City staff are monitoring for icy locations and applying sand for traction where needed.
The City is making progress on removing the snow piled along priority 1 streets and were 70% complete when they were re-assigned to clean up Monday’s snow event. Snow removal work will restart on priority 1 streets and then onto priority 2 streets after snow event clean up has been completed.
City adopts new Strategic Plan, setting out vision for 2022-2025
February 1, 2022 - 9:18am
- Advance City Council's Priorities
- Deliver Excellence in Core Services and Operational Priorities
- Drive Corporate Transformational Change
City Council approved a new Strategic Plan for the City of Saskatoon at yesterday’s Council meeting (January 31, 2022). The 2022-2025 Strategic Plan is a guiding document that sets direction and priorities for City Council and the Administration over the next four years.
Along with the Official Community Plan and the Multi-Year Business Plan and Budget, the Strategic Plan ensures City programs and services continue to address the changing needs of our community, while keeping within our financial means.
The City’s 2018-2021 Strategic Plan was retired in December 2021.
Mayor Charlie Clark says: “The foundation of the 2022-2025 Strategic Plan is miyo-pimatisiwin (me-o-pi-ma-ti-si-win) which is a Cree phrase meaning 'the good life' for all residents. I believe this is a powerful common purpose to focus our efforts around. We are living in very dynamic times, and it is essential that we plan strategically to create the conditions for our citizens to live a good life here. I am proud of the work done by citizens, our staff, and my Council colleagues to bring this plan together and focus our work in the years ahead.”
City Manager Jeff Jorgenson says: “I’m proud of the work our Council and Administration have done in pulling together this vision for the City of Saskatoon over the next four years. The process, and the discussions and decisions that were a part of that, enabled us to land on one clear and powerful document that will be the focus for the work of thousands of City employees in the years ahead.”
What’s in the Plan
The 2022-2025 Strategic Plan was developed using contributions from the public, Council, and City employees. The following three pillars underline the identified deliverables and the key actions to achieve them:
Certain elements of previous strategic plans remain relevant and are included in this new one, including the Vision, Mission, Values, Purpose and Strategic Goals.
Public Input
A draft version of the 2022-2025 Strategic Plan was made available for public feedback between Oct. 27 and Nov. 10, 2021. Residents were invited to review the draft plan and provide input using a public survey. A summary on What We Heard was attached to the information report put before Council on Nov. 22, 2021.
What’s Next
In the weeks ahead, the City will be ensuring its various departmental business plans and employee work plans align with the Strategic Plan. This alignment will ensure Council and Administration are working toward the same outcomes and optimizing resources by focusing on the right initiatives at the right time.
The City’s newly approved 2022-2025 Strategic Plan is available at saskatoon.ca/StrategicPlan.
Daily Road Report - February 2, 2022
February 1, 2022 - 3:00pm
*This report includes road restrictions on Priority 1 (high traffic, high speed) streets only.
NEW
PRESTON AVE N NB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM RESEARCH DR TO 115TH ST W
(Material offloading)
Start: February 2, 9:00 a.m. End: February 2, 2:00 p.m.
ATTRIDGE DR WB CURB LANE CLOSED FROM CENTRAL AVE TO CIRCLE DR E
(Transmission line install)
Start: February 2, 10:00 a.m. End: February 2, 3:00 p.m.
ONGOING
WARMAN RD SB CURB & LEFT TURN LANE CLOSED & NB CURB LANE CLOSED AT 7TH AVE N
(Directional boring)
Start: January 31, 9:00 a.m. End: February 2, 3:00 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.
Claypool Drive reopens for full access Hampton Village
February 1, 2022 - 7:21am
Claypool Drive is open again for traffic in and out of Hampton Village neighbourhood after major snow drifting made it impassable on Monday afternoon. The City thanks residents for their patience.
City and contractor crews are working through priority streets with graders and plows to clear driving lanes, and loading out snow on streets that are blown in.
More information about the snow event clean-up will be provided in a separate PSA this afternoon.
Snow event clean-up ongoing after Monday’s blizzard
January 31, 2022 - 11:59pm
More than 5 centimetres of snow blew into Saskatoon on Monday night with major wind, causing snow drifts and restricting lanes in some areas. Drivers and those on sidewalks should use caution this morning on their commute.
Twenty-six City and contractor graders, four loaders and eight plows are out in full force grading priority streets and addressing problems with drifting on streets. Sidewalk clearing is ongoing on pathways, bridge walkways and adjacent to city facilities.
Crews worked through the night plowing Circle Drive, grading the main lanes of major streets, and addressing streets with heavy drifting. Sand is being applied to streets with icy conditions with a focus on busy intersections, bridge decks, and overpasses.
Claypool Drive is currently closed with barricades due to heavy drifting snow and stranded vehicles. People in Hampton Village neighbourhood should avoid Claypool Drive for their morning commute. An update will be issued when Claypool is open to traffic.
Please keep back when you see blue and amber flashing lights to let road equipment complete their pass.
Residents can report locations with heavy drifting that is making a street impassable by calling the Customer Care Center at 306-975-2476.
Additional information
With higher-than-average snowfalls so far this winter, the snow piles are getting big along all priority streets where graded snow is stored. Removal of these piles is ongoing; however, it will be on hold during this snow event clean-up work.
Learn more about priority street grading and other winter road maintenance at saskatoon.ca/snow.
Blowing snow is causing low visibility; drivers urged to avoid unnecessary travel
January 31, 2022 - 11:19am
The City strongly recommends people limit any travel on roads and sidewalks to essential trips during the current blowing snow conditions. Visibility is significantly reduced. It’s important to keep traffic to a minimum for emergency vehicles to get around the city safely.
While it snows, City crews will be monitoring road conditions and responding to ice and snow as best as they can along priority streets and busy intersections to keep Saskatoon's busiest streets clear. The wind may blow away sand and salt that we apply, so icy locations may develop as the temperature drops into the evening.
Some streets in wide open areas may have deep snow drifts that will be graded or removed with loaders if it prevents people from accessing the area once the visibility improves.
Up to five centimetres of snow is expected to accumulate today, which could require a snow event declaration that would call in contractor graders to help the City grade all priority streets over the next 72 hours.
Claypol Drive is impassible due to drifting snow; use alternative route
January 31, 2022 - 10:17am
People driving into Hampton Village neighbourhood should avoid Claypool Dr Monday afternoon. The blown in snow is too deep for vehicles and visibility is too low for crews to safely plow the street at this time.
Other streets near wide open spaces may be experiencing similar drifting problems. Please avoid any streets where the snow may be too deep to drive through.
When the visibility improves, City crews will grade these streets to clear the driving lanes.