Saskatoon Minute: Issue 57

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

📅 This Week In Saskatoon: 📅

• On Tuesday, at 12:00 pm, the Municipal Planning Commission will meet. The agenda includes a Discretionary Use Application for Happy Faces Early Learning Centre. The organization has applied to open a daycare for up to 34 children and 5 staff at 1615 1st Avenue North in the Kelsey-Woodlawn neighbourhood. While the proposal meets zoning and development requirements, including outdoor play space and a parking plan with staggered drop-offs, City Administration is recommending that City Council deny the application due to concerns about its scale and impact on neighbouring properties. The site is zoned for low-density residential use, and the proposed number of children and staff exceeds what the Administration believes the site can support without causing parking and traffic issues. Administration suggests that a reduced capacity of 25 children and 4 staff would be more appropriate. Of nine responses received from the public, four expressed concerns about traffic and proximity to another daycare, while five were supportive. The applicant has opted to move forward with the original application, which will be decided at a future Public Hearing.
  
  
• Council has decided not to impose a limit on the number of pets allowed per household, despite a year-long campaign by resident Kelsey Stroeder. Stroeder argued that a cap could help prevent animal neglect and hoarding, referencing severe hoarding cases in recent years. Although most other municipalities surveyed do have limits, City Administration recommended against a cap, citing enforcement challenges, existing provincial responsibilities, and the need for more research. Stroeder expressed disappointment with the decision, saying it prioritizes cost over animal welfare and fails to address serious concerns. She noted that most households wouldn’t be affected by the proposed cap and urged residents to report suspected neglect.
  
  
• Councillor Robert Pearce has been removed from Council’s homelessness subcommittee after controversial comments he made about the Saskatoon Tribal Council (STC) and its Wellness Centre during the SUMA convention. Pearce had asked Premier Scott Moe if the Centre’s capacity could be reduced and if another service provider could replace the STC, claiming other shelters didn’t face the same neighbourhood issues. Councillor Randy Donauer introduced the motion to replace Pearce with Mayor Cynthia Block, emphasizing the need for productive collaboration with stakeholders like the STC during a citywide homelessness crisis. STC Chief Mark Arcand said Pearce’s remarks were hurtful but welcomed Council’s move as a sign of renewed partnership and respect. Pearce was not present for the vote but was reportedly aware it was coming.
  
  
• Council has approved the early replacement of a 62-year-old wastewater pumping station in the Broadway neighbourhood that is nearing failure. Originally planned for replacement within the next decade, the pump’s deterioration has prompted an urgent timeline due to the risk of system collapse. Temporary fixes have already cost the city $30,000, and a full bypass system could cost $25,000 per month to operate, making it unsustainable. Council voted unanimously to allocate $300,000 from a wastewater treatment capital reserve to begin the replacement process. Design work will begin in 2025, with construction set for 2026.
  
  
• Saskatoon police are exploring the possibility of a new bylaw to address the rising number of bear spray attacks in the city. Police Chief Cam McBride says the spray is too easily accessible and often ends up being used for criminal purposes. In 2024, police recorded 367 bear spray incidents, up from 256 in 2023 and 176 in 2022, with 103 incidents already reported in 2025. The province is also moving forward with changes to the Safe Public Spaces Act, allowing municipalities to regulate items like bear spray as street weapons. Administration is working with police to propose new enforcement tools, with an update expected in June.
  
  
• Saskatoon's housing market has hit record highs, with benchmark prices for homes soaring due to low inventory and intense bidding wars. Detached homes now average over $477,000, with some properties selling for $100,000 above asking price. The city currently has only about a month's worth of housing supply, making it especially difficult for first-time buyers who are routinely outbid. Nearly 70% of homes are selling at or above asking, pushing many would-be buyers back into the rental market and driving up rent prices as well.

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

It’s Election Day! Voters from coast to coast are casting their ballots to decide who will form the next government. Make sure you take the opportunity to have your voice heard.

Need details on where to vote, what ID to bring, or who’s running in your riding? Visit the Elections Canada website for everything you need to know:

🪙 This Week’s Sponsor: 🪙

This week's sponsor is you! We don't have big corporate backers, so if you like what you're reading, please consider making a donation or signing up as a monthly member.

Having said that, if you are a local business and are interested in being a sponsor, send us an email and we'll talk!