Saskatoon Minute: Issue 74

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

📅 This Week In Saskatoon: 📅

• Some residents are expressing concerns about the planned location for a new 60-bed homeless shelter near 31st Street E., off Idylwyld Drive. Residents have raised questions about safety, security, access to supports, and the concentration of shelters in the area, with some suggesting more resources should be allocated to the east side of the city. The shelter will be operated by the Mustard Seed, a non-profit that already runs a temporary facility on Pacific Avenue. An information session for the public is scheduled for September 15th, and the City’s Homelessness Action Plan is expected to go before Council for approval this fall. City officials explained that consultation did not occur earlier due to the large number of potential sites under consideration.
  
  
• Council has released its draft strategic plan for 2026-2029, highlighting housing, homelessness, and community safety as top priorities. Mayor Cynthia Block emphasized that homelessness was repeatedly identified by residents as the most pressing issue, making it a dedicated strategic focus. The plan outlines ten key areas - housing and homelessness, community safety, core services, culture, parks and recreation, downtown, economic development, environment, reconciliation, equity, diversity and inclusion, transportation, and urban and regional growth. Block described the plan as a roadmap that balances long-term vision with short-term actions while aiming to make City services more modern, simple, and responsive.
  
  
• Saskatoon’s Board of Police Commissioners reviewed a recent survey on residents’ views of policing and public safety in the city. The survey highlighted concerns about crime, with 66% of participants saying crime has increased over the past five years. Police emphasized the importance of comparing public perception with actual crime trends and tracking data over time. Chief Cam McBride noted challenges earlier this year with staffing for Alternative Response Officer, but noted that now the unit is larger than ever, with 20 officers including five in training. Efforts are underway to strengthen communication between officers, downtown supervisors, and local businesses to address public safety concerns. Commissioners stressed the need for continuous improvement and careful analysis of trends rather than relying on point-in-time data.
  
  
• After 14 summers on the South Saskatchewan River, Saskatoon’s Prairie Lily riverboat is closing, with its final event scheduled for August 27th. Built in 1989 and purchased by Prairie River Cruises in 2012, the vessel offered sightseeing and dining cruises that became a popular part of the city’s tourism scene. The final season was marred by low water levels and high sand accumulation in the river, leaving the boat grounded and preventing it from sailing. While the riverboat’s future remains uncertain, there has been interest from potential buyers hoping to continue its operations. 
  
  
• The City is trying to reassure residents that the brownish-orange water being discharged from the Water Treatment Plant into the South Saskatchewan River is safe for both people and wildlife. The discolouration results from the treatment process, where chemicals like iron are used to remove organics and suspended solids from raw water. While the water is safe, the City is working to improve its appearance to address public concerns. Residents had noticed the colour change along the Meewasin Trail, prompting questions about potential hazards. 

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