Saskatoon Minute: Issue 80

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

📅 This Week In Saskatoon: 📅

• The Standing Policy Committee on Environment, Utilities and Corporate Services will meet on Tuesday at 9:30 am. The agenda includes a discussion about a comprehensive Customer Experience (CX) Strategy to enhance service delivery across programs and services. Since the 2016 launch of Service Saskatoon, the City has improved customer service through four pillars - citizen input, staffing, systems, and standards - but survey feedback indicates there is room for improvement, with only 44% of respondents in 2024 feeling the City prioritizes customer service. A CX Strategy would take a holistic approach, addressing every interaction and touchpoint across the organization rather than isolated service moments, and would complement existing digital and smart city strategies. The City proposes a capital investment of $250,000 for development of the strategy, along with related positions such as a Digital Channels Manager and Data Scientist to support implementation. If approved, the proposal will be considered during the 2026-2027 budget deliberations.
  
  
• Also on Tuesday, at 2:00 pm, there will be a meeting of the Standing Policy Committee on Transportation. The City is reviewing its transit fares, which have been frozen since 2016 and now apparently cover only 30% of system costs. With the planned launch of the Link BRT system in 2028, the City says there is an opportunity to modernize fare policy while balancing fiscal sustainability, equity, and efficiency. Analysis shows that Saskatoon Transit fares are lower than peer cities, ridership is moderate, operating costs are low, and reliance on municipal subsidies is high. Lessons from other Canadian and US cities suggest potential reforms such as fare capping and targeted subsidies based on need. Administration will conduct public engagement through surveys, focus groups, and pop-up events to gather input on possible fare adjustments. Feedback will inform a decision report for the 2026-2027 Multi-Year Business Plan and Budget.
  
  
• Saskatoon and Regina will begin conducting annual homelessness counts this fall, shifting from a previous schedule of once every three years. These point-in-time (PiT) counts provide a snapshot of homelessness on a single night by collecting data through conversations with unhoused individuals and those staying in shelters. Past counts show sharp increases in homelessness, with Regina nearly doubling from 488 in 2021 to 824 in 2024, and Saskatoon almost tripling from 550 in 2022 to 1,499 last year. While this year’s “enumeration count” will use fewer survey questions, officials see it as an important way to monitor trends, guide support services, and connect directly with people in need. The 2025 count results will be compiled and shared later this year.
  
  
• The Saskatoon Food Bank and Learning Centre is building a new facility on Avenue P near 19th Street to better serve the growing number of people in need, currently around 23,000 per month. The existing location on Avenue C is overcrowded and spread across multiple buildings, straining the organization’s operations. The new three-and-a-half-acre site will consolidate services under one roof, including food distribution, a garden, onsite storage, and learning programs. Executive Director Laurie O’Connor emphasized that the facility will reduce stigma and create a more welcoming environment while improving efficiency for clients and staff. The project, supported by a $12-million capital campaign with a major $2.5-million donation from Nutrien, also aims to expand nutrition and workplace education programs. Ward 2 Councillor Senos Timon highlighted the food bank’s role in providing hope and support for vulnerable community members. The new location is scheduled to open in spring 2027.
  
  
• The new awâsisak kâ-nîmîhtocik St. Francis School in east Saskatoon has officially opened, providing a bilingual Cree program for up to 700 students from pre-Kindergarten to grade nine. Part of Greater Saskatoon Catholic Schools, the school replaces two previous locations and offers a central hub for Cree language, culture, and traditions. The name “awâsisak kâ-nîmîhtocik,” meaning “children who dance,” reflects the school’s focus on cultural identity and daily exposure to Indigenous heritage. The grand opening featured Indigenous traditions and community participation. The provincial government contributed $45.6 million to the project, with additional support from the school division and community partners. Officials highlighted the school as a step toward reconciliation, offering opportunities for Indigenous and non-Indigenous students to learn and engage together. The facility underscores the ongoing effort to preserve Indigenous languages and strengthen cultural education in Saskatchewan schools.

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