Saskatoon Minute: Issue 61

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

📅 This Week In Saskatoon: 📅

• Council has urgently approved continued funding for a public washroom trailer in the Pleasant Hill area, aimed at supporting vulnerable residents and addressing public hygiene concerns. The decision follows reports of people relieving themselves in public spaces, prompting calls from local communities and businesses for a solution. The washroom trailer, initially launched as a pilot project in 2024 with $700,000 in funding, was used over 14,000 times in two months. The remaining $230,000 from that project will now be used to operate the facility through the fall. While the City seeks additional funding for navigation services to assist users with shelter and support connections, there is currently no secured budget for this component. Some Councillors expressed concerns about a lack of transparency and coordination on related initiatives, particularly a new drop-in centre also being planned in partnership with the provincial government. Despite these concerns, the council unanimously agreed that both the washroom facility and drop-in centre are necessary to meet the needs of Saskatoon’s homeless population.
  
  
• Saskatoon City Council has delayed approval of the College Drive segment of its $250 million Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project by one month to address concerns about platform design and traffic flow. The decision, made unanimously at the most recent Council meeting, allows more time to review issues raised by residents and Councillors, including pedestrian platform capacity and traffic congestion near Preston and Clarence Avenues. Former mayoral candidate Cary Tarasoff questioned whether key elements, like student ridership from nearby Saskatchewan Polytechnic, were properly considered. City staff said the platforms were designed with 10-minute peak service and event overflow in mind, but agreed to revisit design assumptions. Councillor Zach Jeffries expressed concern about lane capacity and future traffic needs, prompting the motion to defer approval. Construction remains scheduled for 2026, with project completion and system launch planned for 2028. The delay is not expected to impact the overall timeline.
  
  
• Despite a provincial rollback of building energy standards, Saskatoon City Council has voted to maintain its own higher efficiency rules for new homes. In February, the Province reverted to Tier 1 of the National Building Code, citing affordability concerns. Saskatoon had previously adopted Tier 2, which represents a 10% improvement in energy performance, and had planned to move to Tier 3 by 2026. City Administration recommended maintaining Tier 2, and Council approved that plan with some dissent. Several residents and organizations submitted letters urging the City to stick with its emissions-reduction goals, citing climate impacts, utility cost savings and long-term benefits. Supporters included the Saskatchewan Environmental Society and Wild About Saskatoon. Councillors Randy Donauer, Robert Pearce and Bev Dubois voted in opposition.
  
  
• The Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park and Zoo is planning a major expansion focused on improving and enlarging its bear exhibits. The first phase involves relocating grizzly bears Koda and Mistaya to a larger space that exceeds the minimum standards set by Canada’s Accredited Zoos and Aquariums. Future phases aim to introduce new enclosures for black bears, polar bears, and potentially a full pack of Arctic wolves. Zoo operations manager Jeff Mitchell emphasized the importance of forward-thinking exhibit design and improving animal welfare. Caring for bears is resource-intensive, requiring dedicated keepers each day, which the zoo has already begun allocating. The ambitious project is expected to take up to six years to complete, depending on city support and fundraising efforts. While new animals won’t arrive immediately, the zoo is set to announce a new addition this spring.
  
  
• Saskatoon has passed a new bylaw banning residents from feeding wildlife anywhere in the city, with the exception of bird feeders. The change follows a sharp increase in coyote sightings, rising from 16 calls in 2022 to 214 in 2024. The updated bylaw prohibits leaving out food, compost or garbage that might attract wild animals like coyotes, deer or raccoons. Bird feeders are still allowed on private property if they’re elevated and inaccessible to other wildlife. Fines start at $250 for a first offence and can reach $1,000 for repeat violations. Councillor Randy Donauer backed the update, saying it strengthens enforcement and addresses growing safety concerns. City officials emphasized that feeding wild animals disrupts natural behaviour and can increase aggression. The Saskatchewan Wildlife Federation also warned residents that animals like coyotes can lose their fear of humans and become dangerous.

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

Join the Common Sense Saskatoon Facebook group to stay informed about what’s really happening at City Hall and connect with others who want to bring transparency, accountability, and common sense back to local government. 

Be part of the conversation, share your ideas, and help shape the future of our city.

🪙 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!