Updates
State of the City: Building a Stronger Community, Together
State of the City: Building a Stronger Community, Together
As I reflect this year on the state of our city, I do so in the shadow cast by the tragedy of the Humboldt Broncos bus crash. This tragedy has sent shockwaves through our city, our province, and our world. We hear of events like this happening elsewhere and we sense the devastation, but we don’t have the connections to the real lives and the people to make it real. And then it lands right in our own backyard.
Study on Train Delays in the City
Study on Train Delays in the City
City Council commissioned a study to look at the costs and benefits minimizing or even removing train delays in Saskatoon through underpasses, overpasses, and relocating the rail lines out of the city. There are a number of different issues regarding the rail study that make it somewhat confusing.
While I think there is broad agreement that there would be many benefits to getting trains out of the City—from safety, to travel times, to new opportunities for redevelopment—the bottom line from the study is that there are very large hurdles to either relocating or building overpasses and underpasses.
City Council Highlights
City Council Highlights
28 MARCH, 2018 City Council Highlights Below are five areas of discussion and debate in City Council Chambers over this past month that can have an impact on the residents of Saskatoon. TCU Place...
More than you ever wanted to know about snow clearing in Saskatoon
More than you ever wanted to know about snow clearing in Saskatoon
08 MARCH, 2018 More than you ever wanted to know about snow clearing in Saskatoon Over the weekend, Saskatoon received almost 25 cm of snow, roughly one-third of all of the snow this entire...
City Council Highlights, February 27, 2018
City Council Highlights, February 27, 2018
Five decisions made at City Council that will impact residents of Saskatoon: Waste Diversion | Working with SIIT | Home Flood Protection | Changes to Recycling Plastic Film | Downtown Development
Seeking a Way Forward
Seeking a Way Forward
As Mayor, I have made it central to my leadership that we are stronger united than divided.
It is more important than ever to confront the undercurrent of racism that has become escalated since this happened. We have been aware of racism and discrimination in our city and province, but the level of contempt and hatred that has emerged in comments online and in daily interactions has revealed the magnitude of these sentiments.
This cannot be tolerated if we are to build a better society. They are a risk to our future.
Budget 2018
Budget 2018
City Council has passed a budget that funds the core services that our citizens rely on for a high quality of life and that makes investments in our community’s future through smart growth, improved transportation, modernized technology and environmental sustainability.
Meewasin Valley Authority Funding
Meewasin Valley Authority Funding
Whenever I go to schools or talk to the young citizens—and future leaders—of our community, the number one concern that I hear about is environmental sustainability. These young people are concerned about the large, complex problems that will affect our community and our planet for the generations yet to come. In Saskatoon and Saskatchewan, the work that the Meewasin Valley Authority does in conservation, trail development and education is crucial to this work and in making sustainability part of the culture of Saskatoon.
Downtown Protected Bike Lanes
Downtown Protected Bike Lanes
This week, City Council voted to retain the current protected bike lanes downtown on 4th Avenue and 23rd Street.
The downtown protected bike lanes have been controversial for Saskatoon, with strong and vocal advocates on both sides of the issue. Debates have occurred throughout Saskatoon at kitchen tables, around water coolers and in our City Council Chambers.
I voted in favour of continuing with the current bike lane arrangement until we receive more comprehensive information in June, when a plan for a connected cycling network will be presented to City Council. In voting this way, I was thinking about the safety of all road users, about creating a downtown that works for everyone and making the right decision for Saskatoon now and into the future.
The First 365 Days: report to citizens
The First 365 Days: report to citizens
It has been one year since the current City Council was sworn into office. This has been a year of laying the foundation for building a successful city into the future. We have developed a set of strategic priorities for City Council to focus on, established a new leadership model for City governance and have been strengthening key institutional and community partnerships needed to create the innovations that can tackle the challenges of the future. Here are some of the highlights of what we have accomplished or initiated so far...
Waste Diversion
Waste Diversion
For most of us living in Saskatoon, after we throw something away that’s the last we think about it—out of sight and out of mind. The City of Saskatoon has invested heavily in making how we deal with waste effective and simple so it isn’t necessary for most people to be thinking about on a daily basis. However, City Council and the administration have been thinking about this a lot recently and are wanting to make sure that our investments are realizing their full potential and properly serving the citizens of our city.
Help Strengthen Downtown
Help Strengthen Downtown
With the partnership of DTNYXE, we’re asking for your help to strengthen our downtown. A lively and vibrant downtown serves the entire city, helping improve our transportation options, create more infill prospects, stimulate economic development, and liven our city through events, festivals, and public art.
An Update on Ride Sharing in Saskatoon
An Update on Ride Sharing in Saskatoon
We know that many Saskatoon residents and visitors are interested in having ride-sharing companies, like Uber, Lyft, or TappCar come into our city. Ride-sharing cannot take place in Saskatoon without first changing insurance and licensing regulations, which need to be sorted out by the provincial government...
Protected: On My Mind: Challenging Assumptions in Problem Solving
Protected: On My Mind: Challenging Assumptions in Problem Solving
There is no excerpt because this is a protected post.
Savings at City Hall
Savings at City Hall
The ongoing search for financial savings at City Hall is encouraging, but there is work left to do. Through conversations, emails, social media messages and phone calls, I am continuing to hear from citizens that they are concerned about potential tax increases and the financial situation of the City of Saskatoon. The people of Saskatoon are expecting us to make sure that their tax dollars are spent wisely and with the largest impact possible.