Saskatoon Minute: Visitor Economy, Library Security, and a School Lunch Program

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. Topics of discussion include updates from subcommittees on events, policy revisions, and heritage education. The agenda also includes a review of budget expenditures, discussion about the Heritage Plan and Policy, and planning for the future of the Heritage Awards Program. Council will consider new strategies to approach property owners about designations and look to address community awareness around preservation.
  
  
• The Saskatoon Board of Police Commissioners will meet on Thursday at 1:00 pm. Topics on the agenda include reports from the Chair and the Chief, annual updates on the Vulnerable Persons Unit and the Contact Interview Policy and Audit, and a request to attend the upcoming Canadian Association of Police Governance conference. The Board will also hear a delegation that will speak on shopping cart theft.
  
  
• Saskatoon remains Saskatchewan’s top contributor to the visitor economy and is aiming to build on its strong 2024 performance despite tariff uncertainty. Visitor spending last year reached $802.8 million - exceeding pre-pandemic levels - and made up over 20% of the province’s tourism total. Local leaders are now working to boost Canadian and international visitation, particularly from markets like the UK, Japan, and South Korea. While US tariffs may dampen cross-border travel, Saskatoon is positioning itself as an attractive alternative for business events and cultural experiences. Officials are optimistic about continued growth through 2025.

Last Week In Saskatoon:

• Saskatoon's free school lunch program saw demand spike nearly 80% as food insecurity worsened after the pandemic, and continues to rise. Now called the Innovation School Food Program, it provides healthy lunches to students in need, even outside core neighbourhoods. Rising living costs have pushed more families to rely on the service, which is run by CHEP Good Food Inc. in partnership with Innovation Federal Credit Union. Organizers said the summer months pose added challenges and called on governments to do more.
  
  
• Council explored the creation of a 24-hour drop-in centre to ensure homeless residents have a safe space to go at all times of the day and year. Council discussed the initiative following concerns over the seasonal closure of warming centres and limited access to other temporary services. A motion, passed without opposition, directs the City to collaborate with the Province and stakeholders to address immediate needs while pursuing long-term housing solutions. The City is also narrowing down options for a new 60-bed permanent shelter and has reviewed hundreds of potential locations. Rising homelessness numbers and the success of the existing emergency shelters have highlighted the urgent need for expanded services. City officials emphasized that the province holds primary responsibility for social services, but Saskatoon is stepping in to coordinate and fill the gaps.
  
  
• Saskatoon Public Library (SPL) said it will increase security at two of its branches, the Frances Morrison Central Library and Dr. Freda Ahenakew Library, ahead of their reopening. The libraries were temporarily closed due to safety concerns, with staff facing challenges related to the overdose crisis, increased drug use, and rising homelessness. SPL is enhancing safety by adding security cameras, improving staff training, and altering building layouts to improve sightlines. The libraries will partially reopen today for holds and pickups, with full service resuming on April 21st.