Saskatoon Minute: Bear Spray, Power Outage, and a Property Tax Increase

Saskatoon Minute - Your weekly one-minute summary of Saskatoon politics

This Week In Saskatoon:

• The Standing Policy Committee On Environment, Utilities And Corporate Services will meet on Tuesday at 9:30 am. The Committee will appoint a Chair and Vice-Chair for the remainder of 2024, as former Councillor Loewen was the previous Chair. The agenda also includes the 2023 Climate Action Progress Report and the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee 2024 Annual Report.
  
  
• There will be a Special Regular Business Meeting Of City Council on Tuesday at 11:00 am. The agenda includes an update on funding for the Temporary Emergency Residential Shelter - an increase of $360,000 is being proposed. Later in the day, at 2:00 pm, the Standing Policy Committee on Transportation will meet to discuss the Fringe Festival parking permit program. The Committee will also hear an Administrative response to inquiries made by former Councillor Hill regarding missing sidewalks. Hill made the inquiries after concerns raised by elementary students from North Park Wilson and École St. Paul about safety in their neighbourhoods. The response notes that there are approximately 440 kilometres of known missing sidewalks in the city, and a database is kept on them, along with their prioritization level.
  
  
• On Wednesday, the Standing Policy Committee On Planning, Development And Community Services will meet at 9:30 am. The agenda includes potentially increasing the general liability insurance requirement for a Seasonal Commercial Enterprise in a park from $2 million to $5 million. Also up for discussion is regulating the sale of bear spray. (More on this below!). The Standing Policy Committee On Finance will meet on Wednesday at 2:00 pm. The Committee will discuss a request to sell City-owned property in the Kensington neighbourhood, among other items. On Thursday, the Governance and Priorities Committee will meet at 9:30 am. Much of the meeting will be held in-camera to discuss appointments to Boards, Commissions and Committees.

Last Week In Saskatoon:

• Council approved a $1.1-billion budget for 2025, including a 4.96% property tax increase. This year's budget process was completed more quickly than the previous year, with much of the financial planning settled during last year's multi-year budgeting cycle. Councillors agreed to allocate an additional $500,000 for snow removal, on top of a $1.1 million increase already planned. The budget also includes funding for new fire inspectors and support for the police, public library, and Remai Modern.
  
  
• Saskatoon experienced widespread traffic gridlock after a major power outage affected much of the city. The outage, caused by a high voltage switch failure at a northwest substation, impacted around 30,000 to 40,000 customers. As freezing rain and light snow followed, icy conditions added to the chaos, particularly affecting traffic on Idylwyld Drive and 33rd Street, where traffic lights were out and collisions occurred. Saskatoon Light and Power is investigating the cause of the switch failure. The outage also prompted some schools to dismiss students early and caused disruptions in local businesses.
  
  
• Police Chief Cam McBride reported over 300 bear spray attacks in 2024, a number that continues to rise. The provincial government has introduced the Safe Public Spaces Act, allowing municipalities to implement rules to restrict weapons like bear spray in public areas. As a result, Council is now considering regulating bear spray sales following this surge in incidents. Efforts may focus on tracking sales by requiring vendors to record buyer information, and a push for stronger penalties for misuse.