Saskatoon Minute: Secondary Suites, Budget Support, and a Temporary Library Closure

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

This Week In Saskatoon:

• The Municipal Planning Commission will meet on Tuesday at 12:00 pm. The Commission will discuss a Discretionary Use Application for a Day Care Centre at 440 Evergreen Boulevard as well as a couple of other rezoning items.
  
  
• There will be a Regular Business Meeting of City Council on Wednesday at 9:30 am. The agenda includes the 2026-2029 Strategic Plan and City Council’s Priority Areas, as well as the Terms of Reference for the Council Subcommittee on Homelessness. Also on Wednesday, at 6:00 pm, there will be a Public Hearing Meeting of City Council to discuss permitting secondary suites in semi-detached dwellings.
  
  
• Saskatoon is planning a major redesign of College Drive by adding a dedicated bus lane in the center to support its new rapid transit system. The city previewed the changes during an open house at the University of Saskatchewan, emphasizing that the system aims to provide a train-like transit experience. While some residents worry about losing driving lanes, others welcome the improved reliability of public transportation. Construction on the transit system, called Link, began last fall and is set to continue this spring, with full operation expected by 2028.

Last Week In Saskatoon:

• Saskatoon's only safe consumption site, Prairie Harm Reduction, is temporarily closed as staff struggle with the trauma of responding to daily overdoses. The site’s drop-in supervisor described the emotional toll of witnessing repeated crises, including a recent instance where staff managed six overdoses at once. Saskatoon has seen an unprecedented rise in overdoses, with the fire department responding to 696 incidents since the beginning of 2025. Mayor Cynthia Block is pushing for more medical professionals to assist, while the Province’s new budget includes additional addiction treatment spaces but no new harm reduction funding.
  
  
• The Saskatoon Public Library (SPL) announced it would be temporarily closing the Frances Morrison Central Library and Dr. Freda Ahenakew Library from March 23rd to April 13th due to safety concerns. Rising homelessness and the worsening opioid crisis have made it increasingly difficult to maintain safe library operations, with staff responding to 48 overdoses this year - nearly double the previous year’s cases. The Saskatchewan Ministry of Health has reported at least 350 overdoses since March 1st, with Prairie Harm Reduction linking the crisis to a fentanyl-laced substance. During the closure, SPL will focus on improving safety measures, staff training, and wellness support before reopening for limited service on April 14th and full operations on April 21st.
  
  
• Saskatoon Mayor Cynthia Block expressed support for the 2025-2026 provincial budget, highlighting the increase in municipal revenue sharing as a positive step for City services. The government allocated $362 million for the program, a 6.3% increase, with Saskatoon receiving $66.5 million. Block emphasized that the funding would provide stability amid economic uncertainty and allow the city to meet its budget priorities. The Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce also welcomed the budget, particularly the 45% Small and Medium Enterprise Tax Credit, which aims to support local businesses.