Saskatoon Minute: Shelter Approved, District Plan, and Dutch Elm Disease

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

This Week In Saskatoon:

• The Development Appeals Board meeting, originally scheduled for Tuesday at 4:00 pm, is cancelled due to no appeals. The Property Maintenance Appeal Board meeting, scheduled for Wednesday at 3:30 pm, will go ahead.
  
  
• Saskatoon's homeless population is on track to more than double this year, with 683 people already identified as inadequately housed by mid-September, compared to 366 for all of last year. Encampments have also surged, with 932 recorded so far in 2023, affecting nearly every neighbourhood in the city. City officials attribute the increase to Saskatoon's role as a hub for smaller communities and evacuees from events like wildfires.
  
  
• Saskatoon is hosting several events to mark the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation. Wanuskewin will hold a gathering on Monday with storytelling, tipi teachings, dance performances, and a round dance to close the day. The Saskatoon Tribal Council's Every Child Matters Powwow continues today at SaskTel Centre. The annual RunConciliAction event is scheduled for today, with various runs and a ceremony at Rotary Park. Schools across Saskatchewan will observe Orange Shirt Day on Monday, with many having already hosted related events.

Last Week In Saskatoon:

• Council has approved a downtown location for a temporary enhanced emergency shelter at 210 Pacific Avenue. The facility, expected to open this winter, will provide 30 to 40 beds and will be operated by The Mustard Seed, an Alberta-based non-profit. Housed in a former Saskatchewan Transportation Company building, the shelter will operate for up to 18 months. The City has committed to leasing the building at a reduced rate, and renovations are underway, funded in part by the provincial government. The City plans to address concerns from nearby residents and businesses with added security and site modifications.
  
  
• Council also approved the City Centre and District Plan, following months of discussions. The next steps involve Administration developing a regulatory framework and preparing a business case for implementation in the 2026/2027 budget cycle. The plan has gained support from both the Downtown Business Improvement District and the Heritage Society.
  
  
• The City of Saskatoon has confirmed 11 cases of Dutch elm disease (DED) in various neighbourhoods, marking a record high. The City's Parks Director, attributes the spread to improper storage and transportation of elm firewood. In response, City workers are removing infected trees and monitoring nearby areas for signs of the disease. Residents are urged not to store elm wood and to dispose of any at the landfill. The City is also asking people to report unhealthy elm trees by sending photos or contacting Urban Forestry.