Saskatoon City Council approved a fixed waste utility subsidy of $100 annually at their regular meeting Monday.

The subsidy, scheduled to begin in the 2024 fiscal year, will be available to eligible low-income households who have a City utility account in their name. Roughly 1,000-1,500 eligible households will receive the money. By approving the low-income subsidy, Council has directed City Administration to work toward the implementation of a broader Universal Low Income Subsidy program for the fiscal year 2027 with the waste utility subsidy to be available until the broader program comes to pass. Council has also asked Administration to provide a follow-up report by no later than the third quarter of the 2023 fiscal year with information on eligibility and timelines for implementation of the waste utility subsidy, including detailed costs of the program.