Saskatoon Minute: Issue 68

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

📅 This Week In Saskatoon: 📅

• On Wednesday, at 9:30 am, the Governance and Priorities Committee will meet. On the agenda is the Saskatoon Homelessness Action Plan (SHAP). The City is collaborating with community partners and is seeking approval to take a leadership role in specific actions within the plan. The proposed City-led actions are advocating for sustained operational funding, allocating City land for affordable housing, and reducing municipal barriers to increase affordable housing stock, along with conducting a feasibility study for community navigation centres, exploring inclusionary zoning amendments, and establishing a community land trust. The finalized SHAP, including performance indicators and monitoring processes, is expected by September 2025. Currently, no new financial commitments are identified, as many actions align with existing initiatives and funding. Future reports will bring forward any required policy, budget, or other decisions related to SHAP implementation.
  
  
• The Committee will also receive an information report updating Council on the use of the Communications and Constituency Relations Allowance for the first half of 2025. The report confirms that all individual expenses for the Mayor and each Councillor have been posted online in line with policy requirements. So far, Mayor Cynthia Block’s office has spent just over $45,500, mainly for the Communications Director’s salary. Among Councillors, spending varies - some have used their allowance for community sponsorships, ads and events, while others reported minimal costs. Total spending in this area stands at about $17,600 out of the $100,000 budget.
  
  
• The CEO of Oak View Group (OVG), Tim Leiweke, whose company won the contract to manage Saskatoon’s proposed downtown arena and convention centre, has been indicted in the US for allegedly rigging the bidding process for an arena project in Austin, Texas. Leiweke faces charges under the Sherman Act, with potential penalties including up to 10 years in prison and a $1 million fine. The alleged scheme involved persuading a rival company not to bid, leaving OVG as the sole qualified bidder. Although the allegations have not been proven, Leiweke is stepping down as CEO but will remain involved as vice-chairman and shareholder. Saskatoon City officials say the indictment does not affect the City’s dealings with OVG, and the arena project approval is still paused due to other factors like tariffs and a federal election. OVG has paid penalties related to the Austin case but faced no charges itself. 
  
  
• In 2024, Saskatoon successfully diverted nearly 41,000 tonnes of waste from the landfill, thanks in large part to its green cart program for food scraps and yard waste. Launched in mid-2023, the program diverted 18,000 tonnes alone in 2024, contributing to an overall increase in waste diversion from 24.5% in 2022 to 34.2% in 2024. The City also saw significant contributions from recycling programs and other initiatives like charity bins and hazardous waste disposal. Despite this progress, Saskatoon aims to divert 70% of waste from landfills by encouraging residents to reduce landfill garbage through composting and recycling. The City says that much of the landfill waste could be kept out through proper sorting.
  
  
• Saskatoon is experiencing a rise in homeless encampments as summer progresses, posing challenges for City crews tasked with dismantling these temporary shelters while supporting those experiencing homelessness. Fire crews and Crocus Co-op staff work together to remove tents and structures, often addressing multiple sites daily. Officials report an increase in new individuals living on the streets, many of whom are unfamiliar to those working in support services. When encampments are identified, occupants are given notice to vacate or risk removal, and they can choose to take their belongings or have them discarded. Crocus Co-op, which employs people with lived experience of homelessness and mental health issues, helps connect individuals with services like ID recovery and housing support.  Safety concerns, especially fire risks, become more pronounced during colder months, adding further challenges to the work.

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

🪙 This Week’s Sponsor: 🪙

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