Saskatoon Minute: Waste Collection, Compost Facility, and Affordable Housing Projects

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

This Week In Saskatoon:

• The Governance and Priorities Committee will meet on Wednesday at 9:30 am. The Committee will discuss Council’s travel and training expenses, their car allowance, and their Constituency Relations Allowance. On Thursday, at 12:00 pm, the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee will meet. After electing a Vice-Chair, the Committee will hear an update on the Saskatchewan Intercultural Association's events for Black History Month and for International Day for the Elimination of Racism. They will also address a sponsorship request application from The Stand Community Organizing Centre for their event, Mindfully Unwinding Whiteness.
  
  
• The Saskatoon Accessibility Advisory Committee will meet on Friday at 12:00 pm. The agenda includes updates from the Education and Awareness Subcommittee and the Deafblind Subcommittee. Finally, the Public Art Advisory Committee will meet on Friday at 2:30 pm to discuss the 2025 Work Plan and subcommittee membership.
  
  
• Saskatoon is set to begin construction on its City-owned compost facility this year, aimed at processing organic waste from the City's green bin program. The facility, expected to be completed by 2026, will replace a previous plan that fell through when the Regional Municipality of Corman Park denied a proposed site. The $22.1 million project will be funded through borrowing. The City believes owning the facility will be more cost-effective in the long run, despite the borrowing costs.

Last Week In Saskatoon:

• The Planning, Development, and Community Services Committee has advanced plans for 256 affordable housing units. The Committee discussed City-owned land incentives and proposed tax abatements, and recommended nearly $2 million in abatements, supported by the federal Housing Accelerator Fund, for three housing projects. One project, Welcome Place on 23rd Street, will provide 112 units with wraparound services for vulnerable populations such as newcomers and Indigenous people. Another initiative, Camponi Commons, plans 120 affordable units on McKercher Drive, focusing on Indigenous housing needs and community engagement. A third project on Broadway Avenue will offer 24 units. Further Council approval is needed to finalize the plans.
  
  
• The Environment, Utilities and Corporate Services Committee discussed changes to how garbage and organic waste are managed in multi-unit housing, including apartments and townhouses. One proposed change is shifting garbage collection charges from property taxes to a utility fee, a model already used for single-family homes. The City is also exploring the possibility of introducing a city-wide organics program for multi-unit properties, with 81% of participants in a pilot expressing support for such a program. While no changes are expected in the near future, Administration will present options for consideration in Q2.
  
  
• Saskatoon Public Schools announced it would be cutting approximately 80 educational assistant positions due to a significant shortfall in funding from the federal government. The cuts are a result of not receiving expected funds through Jordan’s Principle, which supports First Nations students' needs. These positions, which provide vital support both inside and outside the classroom, are being terminated over the next two weeks. The funding shortfall had previously supported tutoring, assessments, and staffing for First Nations students.