Saskatoon Minute: Shelter Data, Council Expenses, and Streamlining Business Permits

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

This Week In Saskatoon:

• The Municipal Heritage Advisory Committee will meet on Tuesday at 11:30 am. The agenda includes updates on the Doors Open Event and the Heritage Festival of Saskatoon.
  
  
• The Saskatoon Board of Police Commissioners will meet on Thursday at 1:00 pm. The Board will discuss 2023-2026 Out of Scope Salary Increases, the 2024 Year End Business Plan Report, and the 2024 Year End Financial Report. On Friday, at 11:30 am, the Environmental Advisory Committee will meet. Wild about Saskatoon will present a request for support for the Urban Wildlife Information Network Saskatoon project.
  
  
• The Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce is advocating for an "Automatic Yes Tool Kit" to speed up the City's lengthy business permit process. The proposal aims to cut red tape by eliminating low-risk permits, streamlining approvals, and setting firm deadlines. The Chamber says that reducing bureaucratic delays would allow business owners to focus on growth and job creation.

Last Week In Saskatoon:

• The Governance and Priorities Committee reviewed travel and training expenses claimed by the Mayor and Councillors in 2024. The expenses range from $78 to $8,800, with much of the spending tied to conferences and municipal meetings. Former Mayor Charlie Clark’s travel costs totaled $8,828.12, and individual Councillor spending on travel and training amounted to $9,595.36. Councillors also claimed vehicle allowances, with the highest amount being $3,315.20 for Councillor Bev Dubois.
  
  
• Saskatoon City Council and Saskatchewan MLAs met to discuss pressing issues, with a focus on homelessness. Mayor Cynthia Block emphasized the importance of collaboration between different levels of government and noted a shared willingness to reassess current strategies. MLA Ken Cheveldayoff described the discussions as lively, covering topics such as housing, funding, and revenue sharing. A similar meeting is planned for Regina at the end of February.
  
  
• Warming shelters operated by the Saskatoon Indian and Métis Friendship Centre and the Salvation Army have been collecting data on those who use their services to better understand homelessness. The Friendship Centre reported a higher number of unhoused men compared to women, with most clients being Indigenous. Both shelters have noted an urgent need for more winter clothing and stressed the imperative of increased access to addiction rehabilitation services. Despite the Province opening a new addictions treatment center, long waitlists continue to be a major barrier to recovery. Those who don't complete the data collection surveys are not turned away.