Hop on board Route 1225, the Jingle Bell Express and experience the convenience of shopping this holiday season via Transit! 

The 2021 Jingle Bell Express is Saskatoon Transit’s 5th annual holiday shopping bus route. It runs from December 6-23, and then again with free service on Boxing Day (December 26). This route stops at Midtown, Centre, Market, Confederation, and Lawson Heights malls providing riders with a great shopping experience! 

“The Jingle Bell Express removes the hassle of driving, while providing riders with access to malls they may not otherwise visit,” says Jim McDonald, Director of Saskatoon Transit. “Regular fares apply except on Boxing Day when the Jingle Bell Express is free.” 

The Jingle Bell Express will be available weekdays from 5:30 p.m. until 8:30 p.m. and weekends from 10:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. On Boxing Day, the Jingle Bell Express will operate as a free service between 9:30 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. This holiday bus route is decorated and plays Christmas music to get you in the holiday spirit.    

Masks are required on all transit buses.  Use the Transit App or Google Maps Transit to plan a trip, or consult the route schedule on Transit’s website. 

Jingle Bell Express riders who complete a short survey will be in for a chance to win one of five $100 gift cards sponsored by the participating malls. 

Get your ‘shop on’ and hop on the Jingle Bell Express!  

On Monday, December 6, 2021 flags at all City facilities will be lowered for the National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women. The Day of Remembrance is an opportunity for Canadians to remember all women and girls who have died as a result of violence.

The National Day of Remembrance and Action on Violence Against Women was established in 1991 by the federal government, choosing December 6th to mark the anniversary of the deaths of 14 women killed at l’Ecole Polytechnique de Montréal in 1989.

Saskatoon City Council last night concluded its budget review and discussions to approve the 2022/2023 Multi-Year Business Plan and Budget. The City thanks all residents, organizations and business owners in Saskatoon who wrote in or spoke to City Council this week or in the weeks leading up to budget review.

Debating an extensive list of operating and capital budget options and scenarios to shortlist and consider, Council approved property tax increases of 3.86% and 3.53%. The approved municipal property tax increases will generate an additional $10,298,400 million in 2022 and $9,918,600 million in 2023.

In general terms, a homeowner with a single-family detached home with an average assessed value of $344,000 would have a municipal property tax increase of $74.04 in 2022 or $6.17 per month, and $70.43 in 2023 or $5.87 per month.

“This was one of the toughest budgets we have faced given the pressures of COVID and some of the issues we need to tackle to ensure the well-being of our residents today and into the future," said Mayor Clark. "This budget keeps our tax rate lower than the average over the last ten years while making key investments to support our recovery and ensure we will be a competitive and resilient city in a changing world. We are proud to still have one of the most competitive commercial property tax levies as reinforced by C.D. Howe last year.”

Investment decisions over 2022 and 2023 support our growing and increasingly diverse city and include: 

• new transit service to North Kensington and Aspen Ridge,
• public engagement enhancement,
• Reconciliation, Equity, Diversity and Inclusion programs and initiatives – including the Office of the Representative of the Matriarchs and IWG2S Women’s Centre,
• an additional Fire Bylaw Inspector,
• graffiti management,
• the urban forest and pest management,
• climate adaptation and green infrastructure advancement, and
• recreation and sport improvements.

“City Council adjusted and debated to arrive at a budget that continues to support the key civic services citizens expect, and balances addressing strategic priorities for the City,” says Jeff Jorgenson, City Manager.

“The Administration will now work hard to execute the direction of City Council and deliver the quality services and programs to the public we proudly serve,” Jorgenson adds. “There are ambitious cost-saving and service improvement expectations included in this budget, and we will do everything in our power to meet or exceed those expectations as our community recovers from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. This multi-year budget takes us forward having set a new standard for transparency.”

Weighing decisions against the vision of the 2022-2025 Strategic Plan, the finalized 2022 and 2023 budgets support continued financial recovery for the City, promote growth for the community, and maintain quality of life and the needed momentum to keep the City moving forward sustainably.

Investing in Public Safety and Protection

City Council approved the Saskatoon Police Service budget which included resources to address the growth of the City and increase in calls for service with the addition of eight new Patrol Constables in 2022 and four Patrol Constables in 2023.

In addition, six positions were approved for 2022 to address items such as Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy requests (FOIP), technological crimes, Audio Video (AV) disclosures, investigations and major crimes were also included in the approved budget. The 2023 budget also includes four additional positions to address FOIP, AV disclosures, and investigations.

For the Saskatoon Fire Department, City Council invested $2.3 million in Next Generation 9-1-1 technology to enhance its Communications Centre. Council made further investments to replace major apparatus within the fleet, equipment, small vehicles, and uniform purchases total $4.4 million over 2022 and 2023. Additional positions for firefighters were approved to support better response times for Saskatoon’s growing neighbourhoods, along with Fire Bylaw Inspectors as a proactive approach to property maintenance inspections. 

COVID-19 IMPACT

The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic generates a high degree of uncertainty for fiscal planning. The City is estimating that the COVID-19 impact will be $13.85 million in 2022 and $10.02 million in 2023. These impacts are offset by one-time reallocated funding and do not affect the approved municipal property tax increases. 

Notable Capital Investments Include:

• $33.9 million in 2022 and $24.7 million in 2023 for upgrades and maintenance to the Wastewater Treatment Plant.
• $41.2 million in 2022 and $52.0 million in 2023 for upgrades and maintenance to the Water Treatment Plant.
• $32.0 million in 2022 and $33.0 million in 2023 for paved roadway and sidewalk preservation.
• $10.5 million in 2022 and $46.3 million in 2023 for the implementation of a Bus Rapid Transit system (contingent on ICIP Government Funding).
• $2.64 million in 2022 for Transit and Access Transit Bus Replacement.

Utility fees in 2022 and 2023 for water and wastewater usage include an overall average increase of 2.5% and 3.4% respectively, resulting in an additional $3.25 per month in 2022 and $4.63 per month in 2023 for the average homeowner.

Indoor Leisure Centre admission rates will increase by 2% in 2022 and 2023.  As an example, adult General Admission will increase from $9.80 to $10.00 in 2022 and $10.25 in 2023. The adult Monthly LeisureCard will increase from $50.00 to $51.00 in 2022 and $52.00 in 2023. 

In 2022, City Council will have the flexibility to make any necessary budgetary corrections for events or circumstances requiring funding or resource adjustments.

The City’s second Multi-Year Business Plan and Budget for 2022 and 2023 supports the City’s 2022-2025 Strategic Plan’s vision, and investments in the priorities and services that matter most to citizens, ensuring Saskatoon continues to be a great place to live, work, learn and play.

The finalized 2022/2023 Multi-Year Business Plan and Budget document will be made available on saskatoon.ca/budget as soon as it is available.

Direct service from the Special Events Stop (outside the 2nd Avenue Lofts at 23rd Street and 2nd Avenue) to experience the Tim Hortons Curling Trials at SaskTel Centre from November 20 to November 28 will be available at the following times each day: 

• Draws at 9:00 a.m. – 7:45 a.m. and 8:25 a.m. 
• Draws at 11:00 a.m. – 9:45 a.m. and 10:25 a.m. 
• Draws at 2:00 p.m. – 12:45 p.m. and 1:25 p.m. 
• Draws at 7:00 p.m. – 5:45 p.m. and 6:25 p.m. 

Post event drop-off is the downtown terminal and regular fares apply ($3.00 per trip). Transfers, mobile tickets and physical 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 you make connections that combine Transit with ridehail providers like riide and Uber. Transit does the work so you can travel with ease! Download the Transit app from the Apple Store or Google Play.  
 
For your health and safety masks are required when traveling on Saskatoon Transit and when accessing indoor City-operated facilities. 
 
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 downtown area will have various parking and lane restrictions in effect on Sunday, November 21 from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. for the Santa Claus Parade. There will be no access to the parade route between: Spadina Crescent, Avenue A, 19th Street, 3rd Avenue, 20th Street, 4th Avenue, 22nd Street, and 1st Avenue.   
 
Road users are encouraged to allow extra time to reach their downtown destination as there will be parking restrictions, and the area will be busy.  
 
People attending the parade can avoid the traffic and parking by choosing to use Transit. Buses traveling through the city centre will navigate the detours for you. Purchase your pass and plan your bus route anytime, anywhere using the mobile app Transit. 

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

Saskatoon Transit is recognizing veterans and current members of the Canadian Armed Forces with free transit service on Remembrance Day.  
 
The free bus service will be offered to armed forces veterans and current serving personnel, including cadets and reservists. Free bus service will also be provided to their one companion.  
 
Eligible transit users can identify themselves by wearing a military uniform or presenting military ID or a CF1 card when they board.  
 
Providing free transit to veterans and current members of the Canadian Armed Forces is a way to recognize the tremendous commitment they have made, and continue to make, to the community and country.  
 
Saskatoon Transit buses will also display a “Lest We Forget” message on November 11. 

Direct service from the Special Events Stop (outside the 2nd Avenue Lofts at 23rd Street and 2nd Avenue) to experience the 2021 PBR Canadian Finals at SaskTel Centre on Friday, October 29 and Saturday, October 30, is available at the following times each day: 

• 5:45 p.m. 
• 6:25 p.m. 

Post event drop-off is the downtown terminal and regular fares apply ($3.00 per trip). 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 you make connections that combine Transit with ridehail providers like riide and Uber. Transit does the work so you can travel with ease! Download the Transit app from the Apple Store or Google Play.  
 
To protect the health and safety of residents, customers and employees, masks are required when traveling on Saskatoon Transit and when accessing indoor City-operated facilities and services as an added safety measure to address the increasing spread of COVID-19 in our community. 
 
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 City of Saskatoon will have a number of adjusted civic services and hours of operation on Thanksgiving Day. Wondering what’s open or closed? See full details on the City’s website.