Responses to the LiveableYXE Survey Click on any question to see the responses from the candidates.
Troy Davies
In 2023, Saskatoon experienced a record in population growth with 13,708 people moving to our City. In 2022, we had another increase of 6,294 people. With 20,000 people moving to our city in 2 years, and at least half of those being new comers (who typically would not be driving a vehicle) we have to continue to invest into our public transit system.
Safety is my number one issue for our transit system! The city launched a new program with Fire Community Support team staff on July 1st. I plan to monitor this program closely to see if its working and the incidents on our transit system are decreasing, or if we need to go one step further and adopt a program similar to what the City of Calgary has implemented.
Council has made some positive steps forward with its cycling infrastructure, but this will require further support as the cycling community continues to grow in the City. In 2023, we continued to see many cyclists injured by vehicles, one being a tragic death. The city administration needs to work in partnership with the cycling community and address the high risk cycling locations that have been identified in the past by Saskatoon Cycles and other stakeholders, and work on solutions together.
Courtney Saliken
Densification is great as long as it is planned properly and done responsibly. We cannot just do this without checking off the full report. What I mean by that is would the current infrastructure handle this new infill without arising problems. Parking? Sewer? Etc. We need to plan it out so that all things are considered before we jump into it, feet first.
Public transit can see major improvements in terms of safety and routes available. At the door, safety is a major concern for citizens. This is some people’s only mode of transportation and feel their safety is in jeopardy daily when taking the bus. This should not be the case. We need to encourage transit use but when people don’t feel safe this is a major deterrent off the bat. Secondly, routes need to be looked at to drive more users. For instance, in my ward, we have many high school students who would consider the bus but cannot due to the length of the routes and how it conflicts with high school schedules. This is a major concern as many areas could easily fill a bus to a high school daily if it was better planned. This is something I am going to dig into if elected.
As for active transportation such as walking and biking, I am all for promoting this in a reasonable and effective way as long as it is done responsibly. We need to take into consideration not only cost but volume of traffic that we can expect who will be using these ways to commute.
Troy Davies
Sustainability has been an area that the City has been building on for a number of years through the City's green infrastructure strategy. As projects and funding comes available, the City has applied for and successfully received this funding. Most recently, the City received $20m in federal funding to protect the City's green network as a measure to address climate change. This type of approach will continue as funding comes available. This protects and improves on residential communities overall and creates green space for all community members to enjoy.
In terms of the HAF, the City has certain obligations to meet such as densification of residential development along transit corridors to encourage use of public transit and creating walk-able communities; however, this won't happen overnight. This will be something that takes place alongside the creation of the new BRT system.
The City has also undertaken a review of environmental provisions in the Zoning Bylaw that will consider regulations related green roofs, green buildings, landscaping, dark sky lighting and infill development. To support this, the City also offers programs to assist homeowners in improving energy efficiency and encourage the use of solar panels. With the adoption of the National Building Code requirements, builders will be expected to meet or exceed the energy requirements in the Code. These are all items that will encourage environmental and sustainable developments.
Courtney Saliken
All levels of government need to keep working on developing programs that encourage homeowners and builders to be efficient in their builds through incentives.
As for the HAF, I am not pleased with how quickly it was passed without little to no consultation and little to no knowledge of all the details which was made clear at those meetings a few months ago. This is not proper governance. Decisions need to be made with all information present and knowing the impact it can have on the future of the city. I am all for safe and affordable housing but again, it needs to be done in a responsible way with proper planning and all boxes checked.
Troy Davies
I'm on record supporting the LEC Plan. The City administration has done an amazing job with completing pro-active business plans that are shelf ready when Federal grants have become available. In October of 2023, the city opened the MRC (at the Landfill) to ensure residents in Saskatoon have a one stop facility that creates a cost-effective centre for waste diversion.
Courtney Saliken
We need to be mindful and consider LECP in our planning, but we also need goals that are realistic to achieve and not going to burden us with costs. It’s a delicate balancing act as we look to be environmentally responsible for our future.
Troy Davies
The Province recently came to City Council asking for support for endorsing phase 2 of the Saskatoon Freeway (which I voted in favour). At those meetings the Province was asked several questions by those concerned with impacts to the swales. The Province did say that they will continue to work with key stakeholders during further developments of the freeway. The Province also committed to completing all environmental assessments that will be required with the project and will be sharing this information with future City Councils.
Courtney Saliken
We always need to look at ways to improve infrastructure to accommodate the growing city we live in, but we also need to be mindful in how we do so. The swales are an incredibly beautiful gem and must be protected. We need to approach this in a balanced way taking into account all aspects. This is where transparency and public consultation come into play. Like any major project and especially one that can have such an impact such as this, we need to look at all sides and involve the public throughout the process. This ensures a smart sound decision can be made in the end.
Troy Davies
Over the last two years we have had roughly 20,000 people move to Saskatoon with over half of those being new comers. We are finding that the city is lacking some of the multi cultural activity infrastructure that our new comers are looking for. Having these opportunities have an immediate impact on the mental health for those new to our Country. The city needs to continue to be open to partnering with private organizations to enhance our recreation facilities and opportunities. There are many donors in Saskatoon that are willing to "step up", and the city needs to ensure we have a donor friendly process in place to make these opportunities as easy as possible. Some of the partnerships that I have been a part as the Councillor Lead for Recreation and Leisure include;
Merlis Belsher Centre / Pawatetan basketball courts on the river / Shakespeare on Saskatchewan / Optimist Hill
Courtney Saliken
Saskatoon does a good job at being inclusive and inviting. Even with investment from the city I feel more can be done to keep citizens more involved and engaged in these programs to keep our city healthy from a cultural standpoint. This is what brings communities together.
Troy Davies
In September, Council unanimously supported the city centre and district plan. DEED was one of the many future plans highlighted in this report. As of today, there has been no decision to move forward on this project, the direction given to administration was to move forward with meeting with the two levels of Governments on the proposed funding plan that was brought to Council. I'm on record stating that I wont support DEED if tax payers dollars are required to fund it. There have been many municipalities who have completed their downtown districts without using tax payers dollars (which was the basis of the funding plan presented to council by administration). The question is not "do we build new or do nothing", the question is "build new or renovate". These are the only two options we are looking at as owners of the building. If the City can't produce a funding model that doesn't include tax increases then the future Council (8 years from now) will have to figure out how to pay for the 300 million dollar renovation.
Courtney Saliken
I am all for Downtown revitalization but the approach in which this DEED was done is questionable in my opinion. Next to no public consultation and involvement. The wheels were well in motion before we became fully aware of this project. How is that right for a project of this magnitude? Projects of this degree should be put to a plebiscite as citizens need to be able to have a voice. Better public engagement would have helped in delivery of this project which has now put a sour taste in many people’s mouths. Plus, I personally do not see how this project works without property tax increases, and we don’t need to look far to other cities in which it is affecting taxpayers.
We need to get back to the basics and control our spending and focus on key elements such as community safety and CORE services. Like I say to many residents, this may be an easier sell if our city was in better shape to begin with. People don’t feel safe, they are taxed way too high, and our CORE services are sub-par at best so coming to them with a project like this, in the fashion they did, puts a huge guard up off the get go. Like I said, I am all for downtown revitalization and growing a city as that is part of the process, but it needs to be done in a smart and feasible manner and timing is key.
Troy Davies
I was at the recent Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) Conference in Calgary and the number one issue in all major cities across Canada was homelessness and encampments. There is no clear answer on how to address it. The NUMBER 1 issue is funding, it's concerning to see none of the parties (running in this Provincial election) released a funding plan on how to address this major issue in Saskatoon. Our homeless population has doubled since last year and will be close to 1000 in early 2025. Currently there is no base funding Federally or Provincially to address it. We continue to see band-aid solutions with limited funding to properly support those who are homeless and those with complex needs. It's going to take all parties at the table (Municipal, Provincial, Federal, service providers, private operators and city planners) to come up with an effective plan on where to start, and where we need to go in the future to address this. Recently, Minister Sean Fraser announced a Federal Encampment and unsheltered homelessness funding opportunity. Minister Fraser stated that the Federal Government will be working with 5 cities (Saskatoon being one of them) to provide funding towards encampments and the homeless. The total encampment fund is 250 million dollars, its still not clear how much of that Saskatoon could receive. This is a positive sign!!
Courtney Saliken
First off you cannot have homelessness and those with complex needs under the same roof. Those with complex needs require proper long term care facilities with trained professionals who can provide the needed and proper care. Emergency shelters need to be strategically placed in safe yet properly zoned areas that will provide the necessary services onsite. The end goal would be to slowly transition people into assisted and independent living providing them key life skills throughout the process, so they can be successful in life. This maintains a shelter as a temporary solution and not a lifestyle.