Every year, the City of Saskatoon produces its Service, Savings and Sustainability (SSS) Report. The report focuses on the preceding calendar year and highlights the ways City employees worked to capture savings, enhance services for residents, and make improvements in the area of sustainability.

“The theme of the 2021 report is 2021: Resilience & Readiness,” says Celene Anger, the City’s Chief Strategy and Transformation Officer. “We wanted to tell the story of how we worked together to continue delivering and improving programs and services in the second year of a global pandemic, all while working to keep residents and staff safe.”

Initiatives featured in the 2021 report include:

• Doubling minor sidewalk repairs
• City Hall Lobby reconfigured to prioritize customer experience
• Improvements to Saskatoon.ca to make it more mobile friendly
• Reintroduction of prescribed fires to help ecological health
• LED street light upgrade completed
• Solid Waste Reduction & Diversion Plan unveiled
• Facility improvements to increase energy efficiency
• Use of recycled asphalt
• ePermitting improvements for building and development permits

The 2021 Service, Savings and Sustainability (SSS) Report reflects the City’s year-over-year commitment to find savings, explore and take on new challenges, and find practical, forward-thinking solutions to meet the changing needs of the community.

“At the City of Saskatoon, we have a strong commitment to continuous improvement and are always looking for new ways to improve performance and deliver value for taxpayer dollars,” says Anger.

The 2021 SSS Report will be presented as an information item at the Governance and Priorities Committee meeting on Monday, July 18. The report is available now at saskatoon.ca/SSSreport.

In response to the high temperatures this week, the Emergency Management Organization (EMO) has activated the Response Plan to support residents in Saskatoon, especially those vulnerable to the heat.

In 2019 the Cold Weather Strategy partners convened and identified a need for an Extreme Heat Response plan to ensure designated cooling spaces are in place for Saskatoon’s homeless population, greatly reducing their risk of heat exposure related illnesses during the summer months. This Strategy has continued to evolve to include water bottle distribution in 2021.  

In the summer of 2021, British Columbia experienced a significant Heat Dome. A review of the incident found that during the Heat Dome individuals 50 years and older, living in private residences, with health issues and social isolated were at significantly greater risk during extreme heat events. The City of Saskatoon has studied the impact of this Heat Dome and has determined that there is a need to expand the Extreme Heat Response Plan to include other Saskatoon residents who may be at increased risk during extended extreme heat events.

The Saskatoon Extreme Heat Response Plan will continue to have a coordinated response to ensure cooling locations, wellness checks and water bottle distribution for residents experiencing homelessness. Additional partners have joined, and are still being sought, for the Extreme Heat Response Plan this year. These additional partners will work together to coordinate activities to support Saskatoon residents who are older adults, living in private residences and may be at increased risk during the extreme heat events. 

Extreme Heat Response is not the sole responsibility of any one organization. It takes a whole community to ensure the safety of those vulnerable to extreme heat. Saskatoon EMO works with many partners in the Extreme Heat Response Plan. These include the Saskatchewan Heath Authority, the Saskatoon Housing Initiative Partnership, Environment and Climate Change Canada and many others.  

If your organization is interested in becoming a partner of the Saskatoon Extreme Heat Response Plan, please contact emo.eoc@saskatoon.ca.

Things to consider during days of extreme heat: 

Keep cool

• Have access to cool drinking water and drink regularly, even when not feeling thirsty
• Move to a cooler indoor space, if possible
• Draw curtains, shades or shutters to help block direct sunlight
• Close windows during the heat of the day to trap cooler air indoors
• Open windows overnight or whenever there is a cool breeze, keeping safety in mind
• Activate air conditioning or open windows in different areas to create a cross-breeze

Sun protection

• Limit physical activity and exposure to the outdoors during the hottest hours
• Wear light coloured and lightweight clothing
• Apply sunscreen and reapply regularly throughout the day
• Wear a hat or other head covering

Be a good neighbour

Residents can help those most vulnerable to this extreme and prolonged heat by sharing the designated cool down locations poster, checking on family, friends and neighbours and by alerting emergency services if you see someone in distress due to the extreme heat.   

River safety

Although the South Saskatchewan River may provide a tempting option to cool down on hot days, EMO reminds residents that the river is unpredictable and swimming in the river is prohibited. The river has many hazards including changing currents and an unstable bottom. Learn more at saskatoon.ca/watersafety.

Pet wellness

On warm summer days, it’s important to keep your pets safe and comfortable. Considerations include:

• Ensuring your pet has plenty of fresh water to drink
• Monitoring your pet for signs of heat stress such as rapid panting
• Never leaving pets in parked cars for any amount of time
• Offering your pet a means to cool down such as a wading pool or damp towel

For more information on how to keep your pet safe this summer, contact  your local veterinarian.

Working safe

As the humidex rises, those who work outdoors are encouraged to take necessary actions including:

• Drink extra water
• Increase breaks out of the sun
• Modify work duties to prevent heat illness

For safety tips and guidelines for employees working in hot conditions, visit the Government of Saskatchewan’s Working Outdoors page.

Transit Safe Bus Program

Saskatoon Transit offers the Safe Bus Program designed to assist anyone, of any age, that needs immediate shelter or needs to contact emergency services. If you need help, simply and safely flag down a bus or go to a parked bus. Transit operators can contact emergency services directly through the on-bus radio system and will give the person in need a safe place to wait.

Smart yard and garden watering

During heat waves, there is increased water usage. The City encourages residents to be water wise by watering your lawn and trees early in the morning and skip windy days to minimize evaporation. Smart watering helps the environment and can save you money during hot summer months. Follow these quick lawn care tips to be more efficient with your water and learn more ways to be water wise.

In an emergency, call 911 immediately.

Direct service from the Special Events Stop (outside the 2nd Avenue Lofts at 23rd Street and 2nd Avenue) to see Summer Rewind at  SaskTel Centre  on Wednesday, July 13, is available at the following times: 

• 6:15 p.m. 
• 6:55 p.m. 

Post event drop-off is the downtown terminal and regular fares apply ($3.00 per trip). Fare can be purchased on your mobile phone using either the TGo or transit app, transfers and passes are also accepted.  
 
Plan your trip to events at SaskTel Centre on Route 333 using the Transit  app up to two weeks in advance! Check out the Transit+ feature that helps make connections that combine Transit with riide and Uber. Transit does the work so you can travel with ease! Download the Transit app from the Apple Store or Google Play.  
 
Transit service times for special events at SaskTel Centre and other popular destinations can always be found at SaskatoonTransit.ca/plan-my-trip/popular-destinations. Experience the convenience of using Saskatoon Transit to attend all your favourite events. 

The public has been made aware today that telecommunications provider Rogers outage Friday, July 8 has resulted in widespread service disruption to wireless, cable and internet customers across Canada.

While Rogers is working to resolve their issue as soon as possible, at present, there is no timeline yet for the restoration of services. Until this issue is resolved, customers interacting with City of Saskatoon services should be prepared to use a payment method other than a debit card.

The following City of Saskatoon services are experiencing payment impacts due to the Rogers outage:

• City Golf Courses: Cash or credit card payment only. Debit card payments cannot be processed due to the outage.
• Leisure Centres and Outdoor Swimming Pools: Cash or credit card payment only. Debit card payments cannot be processed due to the outage.
• Nutrien Playland at Kinsmen Park: Cash or credit card payment only. Debit card payments cannot be processed due to the outage.
• Saskatoon Forestry Farm Park & Zoo: Cash or credit card payment only. Debit card payments cannot be processed due to the outage.
• Gordon Howe Campground: Cash or credit card payment only. Debit card payments cannot be processed due to the outage.
• Corporate Revenue Customer Service Payments at City Hall: Cash payment only. Credit cards are not accepted at Corporate Revenue. Debit card payments cannot be processed due to the outage
• Saskatoon Transit Customer Service: Able to accept credit cards. Debit Card payments cannot be processed due to the outage.
• Saskatoon Landfill: Accepting cash only. Issues with debit and credit cards.
• City of Saskatoon Parking payments throughout the city: The new app ParkedIn can still accept credit card payment. ParkedIn also accepts online payment.

Watch for updates on City of Saskatoon services and the return of normal payment processing as we learn more from Rogers.

Visit saskatoon.ca for more information on City of Saskatoon services.

Forget parking and traffic - leave the car at home! Make first and last mile connections to Saskatoon Transit routes with your bike, an Uber, or taxi as you head downtown for the Canada Day celebrations.

Planning your trip is easier than ever when you use Transit, Saskatoon Transit's recommended trip planning app. The Transit app works out suggested trips that easily combine public transit with options like Uber or Riide, and it also lets you pay your Saskatoon Transit fare with just a few taps. 

Transit will be running regular holiday service until 9:00 p.m. (normal fares apply).

After the fireworks, free buses will leave from locations on either side of the river (3^rd Avenue northbound/north of 19^th Street and Broadway Avenue southbound/south of 12^th Street). Buses will stop when requested along the routes noted in the Canada Day 2022 special event bus map!

All Access Transit pickups and drop-offs for the event will be at the temporary stop on 2^nd Ave just north of the Alt Hotel. Access Transit will extend its service hours until midnight so customers can take in the fireworks show. Trips must be booked in advance as per normal booking procedures and subscriptions do not apply on statutory holiday

The City of Saskatoon will have a number of adjusted civic services and hours of operation on Canada Day. Wondering what’s open or closed? See full details on the City’s website.

After a two-year hiatus due to the pandemic, Saskatoon Transit was pleased to unveil two pieces of art on the side of transit buses today. This is the third time a student art contest has been run by Saskatoon Transit and this year the contest was open to Grade 3 and Grade 7 students across the city.

“It is such an exciting opportunity for Saskatoon Transit to partner with the elementary schools on this project. These students should feel very proud and honoured when they see their artwork driving past on the side of a bus this summer,” says Tracey Davis, Acting Director, Saskatoon Transit. 

Grade 7 students Nuala, Neha, Radinsa and Marlee from Lakeridge School and Grade 3 students Reem, Ayan and Seth from Ecole Alvin Buckwold put their creativity to the test and were selected as this year’s best of show winners.

The winning pieces were chosen through a collaboration with the Remai Modern. Learning Program Coordinator Wendy Paterson judged the submissions based on how well they reflected the “Active Transportation” theme.

“Submissions clearly indicated students had reflected thoughtfully and imaginatively on the many ways people get around Saskatoon,” says Paterson. “Their collaborative depictions of communities that are themselves collaborative projects, were fittingly brimming with activity and colour, just like this community!”

The winning artwork will be displayed on the side of ten Saskatoon Transit buses traveling across Saskatoon throughout the summer.

“Congratulations to these students for showcasing the benefits of active transportation and exhibiting what it means to be environmentally responsible citizens,” says Superintendent Nicola Bishop-Yong with Saskatoon Public Schools. “Through our ‘Move to Grow’ initiative, our school division encourages students to pursue active transportation and make mindful choices that support their well-being, community, and world. I am proud of all the students who took part in this contest and expressed the importance of being community-minded stewards of the environment.”

“This partnership with the Remai, the Saskatoon Public School Board, and the Greater Saskatoon Catholic School Board helps support and promote art, especially local art, alongside how active transportation plays a critical part of public transit,” concludes Davis.