Parking tickets in Saskatoon will once again be up for debate at today’s (Monday) Governance and Priorities Committee meeting.

City administration is recommending vehicles violating temporary parking restrictions be towed and ticketed during the fall sweep program. This is in contrast to the spring sweep program which saw vehicles towed but not tickets issued , as a result of the pandemic.
During the initial stages of the pandemic, on-street paid parking and residential parking permit restrictions were suspended

The city says fall sweeping is essential to remove fallen leaves and debris that collect in gutters, preventing flooding at catch basins and blockages in storm sewers. Parking restrictions are necessary to make sure curb lanes are swept.

City administration is recommending ticketing and towing once again occur and that residents are notified before sweeping begins.

The development of a long term strategy for a response to the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and and Girls will be reviewed today (Monday) during the city’s Governance and Priorities Committee meeting.

A report will be presented that provides an outline of the current initiatives and calls for justice, and the approach the city will take going forward.

The city says, current initiatives include the Little Sisters in Action Program, the Safe Bus training program for the City staff, contributing to the Saskatoon Poverty Reduction Partnership, and working with community partners in efforts to create safe spaces for Two-Spirit youth in ceremony and cultural spaces.

The report outlines the long term goal will be to create a coordinated and holistic approach to address reconciliation, equity, diversity and inclusion. This will include engaging with Indigenous matriarchs, individuals and families with lived experience and community based organizations, leaders and academics.

(BDJ – Sept 20, 2020)