Saskatoon Minute: Issue 76

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

📅 This Week In Saskatoon: 📅

• The Governance and Priorities Committee will meet on Wednesday at 9:30 am. The Committee will review proposed amendments to its Protocol Policy, which governs flag raisings, proclamations, lighting displays, and requests for resolutions of support. Administration recommends ending the practice of raising flags of other countries, arguing it consumes staff time, creates logistical challenges, and risks drawing the City into international political controversies. If approved, only Canadian, Saskatchewan, Treaty 6, and Métis Nation of Saskatchewan flags would remain permanent, while guest flagpoles could still be used for other approved purposes. The report also proposes tightening rules by requiring organizations requesting flag raisings or proclamations to be registered non-profits or government entities with a direct connection to Saskatoon. The changes follow similar moves in other cities, such as Regina, and aim to reduce administrative burden and focus Council time on municipal priorities.
  
  
• Also on the Committee’s agenda is Saskatoon’s Consolidated State of Infrastructure Report. The Report provides a detailed assessment of the City’s $23.3 billion in core assets, covering ten categories such as roads, water, wastewater, parks, and transit. The report found that about half of assets are in good or very good condition, 17% are fair, 6% are poor or critical, and 27% remain of unknown condition, creating operational risks. While some services like water, wastewater, and stormwater show no funding gaps, others require additional investment to sustain service levels, with an overall projected funding shortfall of $306.6 million over the next five years. The report emphasizes that closing this gap will require more than temporary fixes, instead relying on improved asset management, better data, and targeted investment strategies. Next steps include developing a city-wide risk prioritization model by 2026, aligning service levels across categories, and integrating climate risk into planning. 
  
  
• A Saskatoon resident has been ordered by the City to remove sunflowers that naturally sprouted in a small crack between the sidewalk and curb in front of her Rosewood home. The flowers, which originated from a single ornamental sunflower planted four years ago, have grown tall and become a neighbourhood attraction. The City issued a bylaw violation, citing mobility issues for pedestrians and potential obstruction of drivers’ views, with a $250 fine if the flowers are not removed. The resident encouraged neighbours to take some of the flowers before they were removed and described the blooms as a source of joy and a tribute to her late husband. The City emphasizes that homeowners must keep sidewalks clear of obstructions, whether from vegetation or snow, to ensure public safety.
  
  
• Saskatoon has begun removing the 23rd Street downtown bike lanes, which were installed in 2015 as a temporary demonstration project but proved unpopular with drivers and cyclists alike. City Council approved their removal in June 2025, which is expected to save $50,000 annually in maintenance costs that can be redirected to other active transportation initiatives. The lanes, separated by plastic bollards, were criticized for offering minimal protection, being frequently damaged, and becoming partially impassable during winter due to snow clearing practices. While some cyclists valued the corridor for connecting the Meewasin Trail to Idylwyld Drive, the downtown bus mall interrupted its functionality. Officials and advocates say the project offered valuable lessons for future active transportation planning. The removal process is expected to take about a week, with sidewalks remaining accessible. West-side 23rd Street lanes outside downtown will stay, and future planning for the corridor will be part of the 23rd Street Greenway under the City Centre and District Plan. Observers noted the city is now focusing on simpler, lower-cost measures like signage and traffic calming to improve cycling conditions.
  
  
• A report to the Transportation Committee found that the City fell short on snow removal standards during the 2024-25 winter, particularly after two heavy snowfalls in mid-November dropped 17 and 25 centimetres within five days. Priority 1 streets, which are supposed to be cleared within 12 hours, and Priority 2 streets, targeted for 36 hours, were not consistently serviced. Sidewalks and pathways, which must be cleared within 48 hours, also lagged, partly due to a nearly 6% expansion in the pathway network. Saskatoon recorded 115 centimetres of snow that winter, the highest in seven years, well above the historical average of 91-98 centimetres. The City has since extended the Priority 2 street timeline to 48 hours to better match available resources. Residential streets required unusually extensive grading in December and February, adding to costs, and the City overspent its 2024 snow and ice budget by $6.5 million. Priority 3 streets and paid parking areas met service standards, with grading completed within 72 hours and snow removed within 13 days. A full review of Saskatoon’s snow response network is planned for 2027 after the new Link transit system is operational, and Council will consider potential budget increases for snow management in 2026-27.

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

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