Saskatoon Minute: Bear Spray, Reduced Hours, and Victoria Avenue Feedback

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

This Week In Saskatoon:

• The Municipal Planning Commission will meet on Tuesday at 12:00 pm. The Commission will elect a Chair and Vice-Chair before appointing 2025 members and discussing the year’s meeting schedule.
  
  
• On Wednesday, at 9:30 am, there will be a Regular Business Meeting of City Council. The agenda includes a number of Administrative Reports, as well as a discussion about amendments to the Temporary Sign Bylaw and the Recreation Facilities and Parks Usage Bylaw. At 6:00 pm, there will be a Public Hearing Meeting of City Council to address amendments to The Saskatoon North Partnership for Growth Planning District Official Community Plan.
  
  
• The Board of Revision will have an Organizational Meeting on Thursday at 9:00 am. The Board will elect a Chair and Vice-Chair as well as appoint Panel Chairs.

Last Week In Saskatoon:

• Despite new regulations aimed at preventing bear spray use as a weapon, Saskatoon police have reported an increase in attacks, with 10 incidents occurring over the long weekend alone. The Safe Public Spaces Act, which was introduced in December 2024, has not stopped the rise in bear spray incidents, with 23 recorded in December 2024 and 31 in January 2025. Police Chief Cameron McBride emphasized the difficulty in preventing such attacks, as bear spray is often concealed until used. Local malls like Centre Mall and Midtown Plaza have expressed concern over the attacks and are working with authorities to improve safety. McBride also noted that while bear spray may be purchased online, the police are doing their best to manage the issue.
  
  
• Saskatoon City Hospital announced that its emergency department is reducing its hours until March 2nd due to a shortage of physicians. The department will close at 6:00 pm instead of 8:30 pm. Patients in need of emergency care should visit Royal University Hospital or St. Paul’s Hospital. The emergency department had previously closed on December 31st, 2024, due to physician illness. To alleviate some pressure on emergency services, a new urgent care center near St. Paul’s Hospital is set to be completed by spring 2026.
  
  
• The City has asked for public feedback on the proposed design plan for cycling and pedestrian improvements along Victoria Avenue from Taylor Street East to Ruth Street. This follows an initial round of engagement in July 2024, where community input was gathered on the opportunities and challenges of the project. An online survey is now open, with responses due by March 21st, 2025, and an open house will be held on March 5th at Aden Bowman Collegiate from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. The final design will be presented to the Standing Policy Committee on Transportation and City Council in Spring 2025. Public comments and questions can also be submitted by email, phone, or mail.