Despite the COVID-19 pandemic Saskatoon saw a record number of total licensed businesses in 2020.

Last year the City reports an additional 1,076 new business were licensed bringing the city to a record total of 12,073.

During 2020 the city says 461 development permit inspections to confirm that a required site landscaping and off-street parking were completed.

Among the changes brought forward by the pandemic, City Administration reports it licensed eight parking patios and 11 sidewalk cafes last year. Parking patios are a temporary conversion of public parking stalls on city street that contain tables and chairs for outdoor dining.

Additionally in 2020 administration reports 221 taxis, four brokerages, and one transport network company were licensed.
Taxi fares were increased by about 7.8 percent, for a five kilometer trip in 2020. The first increase since 2016.