Saskatoon Minute: Issue 89

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

📅 This Week In Saskatoon: 📅

• City Council approved a 2026 property tax increase of 6.7%, after initial proposals ranged from 6.17% - 7.43%, marking one of the highest hikes in the city’s history. The marathon four-day budget debate considered 108 measures to cut spending, raise fees, or shift funds, but Council approved only 45, mostly minor adjustments, leaving many services unchanged. Police spending now accounts for roughly one-quarter of the City’s budget. Fees for services such as bus rides, recreation, and landfill use are increasing, though facilities like the George Ward Pool and recreation centres remain open. Council also reduced $108,200 in annual funding to the health authority for a detox centre, highlighting tensions over responsibilities perceived as downloaded from the Province. Incentives for affordable housing were funded at the lowest-cost option, producing only a limited number of new units. Mayor Cynthia Block called the budget a necessary response to growing demands and structural funding challenges, though residents facing higher bills may feel little relief.
  
  
• City Hall reports that police spending is projected to exceed the 2025 budget by $2.6 million, pushing the City into a $1.2-million deficit, which will be covered using a reserve fund. This overage is largely due to a binding arbitration award on the police contract finalized after the budget was approved. Meanwhile, other City Hall operations are expected to record a $1.4-million surplus, although snow and ice management faced a $3.5-million shortfall. Utilities such as water, Saskatoon Light & Power, and waste management are projected to generate a $12.3-million surplus, driven by lower spring rainfall, staff vacancies, and reduced chemical and fuel costs. Revenue from parking and tickets is falling short of expectations, contributing to the budget pressures.
  
  
• Council approved funding for a $900,000 radio transmission site in 2027 after the critical need for the upgrade was nearly overlooked during budget deliberations. The expansion aims to close coverage gaps in the City’s radio system used by police, fire, transit, and public works, addressing risks to both public and first responder safety. Current limitations affect communication in buildings, developing neighbourhoods, and fringe urban areas, and outages have already disrupted emergency operations, including a three-hour fire department outage earlier this year. Deputy Fire Chief Rob Hogan noted the system also tracks GPS signals to dispatch the closest crews efficiently. Councillors expressed concern that such a vital piece of infrastructure appeared on a discretionary reserve list rather than the main capital budget. The item was ultimately approved.
  
  
• Saskatoon’s plan to build a City-owned composting facility has been delayed and its cost has climbed from $22.1 million to $30.5 million. The increase is being attributed to higher-than-expected bids from local companies unfamiliar with compost-facility construction. An $8.4-million federal grant will cover the difference. Despite the cost jump, the City argues that owning and operating the facility will save about $1 million annually compared to contracting the work to a private company, after a previous private-sector proposal was rejected by the RM of Corman Park. The project is now scheduled for completion in 2027. Meanwhile, Saskatoon Light & Power will continue pausing collection of the federal industrial carbon tax, aligned with the provincial government’s suspension. The pause is expected to save customers roughly $10 per month but may leave the utility with a projected $476,000 deficit if the suspension continues through next year.
  
  
• As temperatures drop, Saskatoon officials are asking residents to report homeless encampments due to a rising number of fires linked to makeshift heating sources. The fire department says nearly 100 encampments are known and that 90 encampment-related fires occurred in the last two months. Crews plan to inspect and remove tents over several days, offering transport to shelters or warm-up centres when space is available. Advocates warn that existing shelter capacity is insufficient and that clearing camps could put people at greater risk, noting Saskatoon recorded more than 1,900 people experiencing homelessness in its latest count. They argue the root causes including cost-of-living pressures, limited affordable housing, and gaps in mental-health and employment supports must be addressed to prevent further strain on emergency systems. 

🚨 This Week’s Action Item: 🚨

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