Saskatoon Minute: University Bridge, Transit Fleet, and Block Engages Students

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

This Week In Saskatoon:

• The Municipal Planning Commission Meeting, originally scheduled for Tuesday, is cancelled due to a lack of agenda items.
  
  
• On Wednesday, at 9:30 am, there will be a City Council Meeting. The agenda includes a discussion about the transit fleet. The recommendation is that Council approve the 2025 Saskatoon Transit Fleet Replacement plan, which includes purchasing fixed route diesel buses and Access Transit gas buses. Council will also finalize appointments to Boards and Committees. Also on Wednesday, at 6:00 pm, there will be a City Council Public Hearing. Residents will have a chance to weigh in on the Concept Plan Amendment Application for Brighton, as well as proposed rezoning in Aspen Ridge.
  
  
• After being closed since January 19th due to a fire, the University Bridge is now partially reopened with traffic restrictions. One-lane traffic will flow in each direction until the damaged sewer line is repaired. Drivers are encouraged to use the "zipper merge" technique to maintain smooth traffic flow. The fire melted the main sewer line, resulting in the release of at least 1.5 million litres of sewage into the South Saskatchewan River. Cleanup efforts are underway in collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, and the Meewasin Trail under the bridge remains closed for further repairs and cleanup.

Last Week In Saskatoon:

• At the latest Saskatoon Police Commission meeting, several key updates were discussed. The force has expanded its online reporting system to make it easier for businesses to report crimes, and are exploring body camera technology that offers live language translation to help officers communicate effectively. A new intimate partner violence team, consisting of an officer and a counselor, was also introduced to support victims. Lastly, a dedicated team to enforce outstanding arrest warrants will be established later this year to address the high number of warrants in the city.
  
  
• Students in a Grade 6 class at Ecole Silverspring School had the opportunity to engage with Mayor Cynthia Block about the local homelessness crisis. The class had been studying homelessness globally, including research on initiatives in places like Boston and Australia. They shared their findings with the Mayor and asked questions about race, shelter access, and the causes of homelessness. Mayor Block highlighted the rising homelessness rates in Saskatoon, which have increased since the pandemic, and emphasized the need for more affordable housing.
  
  
• Councillor Robert Pearce agreed to join advocate David Fineday for a late-night walk through Saskatoon to witness the challenges faced by the city’s homeless population firsthand. Fineday, originally from Sweetgrass First Nation, has been urging the City to provide more Indigenous-focused supports, such as smudging spaces, teepees, and family-friendly shelters. He emphasized that shelters often separate families and lack spiritual spaces, deterring many from seeking help. Fineday hopes his efforts will lead to permanent culturally relevant spaces and greater inclusion of Indigenous leadership in addressing homelessness.