SASKATOON, Saskatchewan — After four days of intense deliberations, the Saskatoon city council has approved its 2026 budget, imposing a 6.7 percent increase in property taxes on residents. The decision, finalized on Friday, also sets a 5.81 percent hike for 2027, translating to an additional $13 per month for the average homeowner in 2026 and $12 in 2027, according to city estimates.
The budget process began earlier in the week with council members reviewing more than 108 potential cuts and adjustments to the operating budget, aiming to ease the financial burden on taxpayers. By the end of the third day, these efforts had reduced the proposed tax increase to 6.1 percent. However, on the final day, several significant additions were incorporated, pushing the rate up by slightly more than 0.5 percentage points.
One of the most notable inclusions was the allocation of funds for eight dedicated police officers and one sergeant to enhance security on public transit systems. This initiative, costing $1.6 million over the next two years, comes amid growing concerns about safety for both operators and riders. Mayor Cynthia Block, who supported the measure, noted that it was not initially anticipated but gained traction as similar programs emerged across Canada.
"But as we started to see transit police being added to services right across the country, we were paying really close attention to what that meant for both operators and for riders and that means a significant increase to our overall budget and one that I’m happy to support," Block said in comments following the vote. She emphasized that safety remains the city's top priority, especially as Saskatoon advances plans for a modernized public transportation network.
Beyond transit policing, the budget incorporates funding for additional fire dispatchers to improve emergency call handling and coordination. This move addresses ongoing needs in the city's fire services, which have seen increased demands in recent years due to population growth and urban expansion in Saskatoon, a city of approximately 270,000 residents in the heart of Saskatchewan's prairie region.
Affordable housing incentives were also approved, providing support for developers to build more accessible units amid rising housing costs that have strained the local market. According to city reports, Saskatoon's median home price has climbed steadily, reaching over $400,000 in recent assessments, prompting council to prioritize initiatives that could alleviate pressure on low- and middle-income families.
Other approved items include the continuation of herbicide use for weed management in city parks, ensuring maintenance of green spaces that are vital to Saskatoon's identity as a riverfront community along the South Saskatchewan River. The budget also extends operations for the Riverbank public washrooms, a facility popular during summer events and festivals, and adds one full-time equivalent zookeeper position to support the Saskatoon Zoo's animal care programs.
The final vote passed with a 9-2 margin, reflecting broad but not unanimous support among the 11-member council. Ward 3 Councillor Robert Pearce and Ward 9 Councillor Bev Dubois cast the opposing votes, citing concerns over the tax hike's impact on residents.
Dubois, in particular, expressed reservations about expanding beyond essential services. "I supported some, I didn’t support others," she said. "But I really want and think that our city, our municipality needs to stick to our core services and that’s really what the majority of the residents in this city want."
Pearce echoed similar sentiments, though specific comments from him were not detailed in immediate post-vote statements. The dissent highlights a divide on council between those prioritizing service enhancements and those advocating for fiscal restraint, a tension that has characterized budget discussions in many Canadian municipalities facing inflation and infrastructure demands.
Saskatoon's 2026 budget totals around $600 million in operating expenditures, up from previous years due to inflationary pressures and investments in core infrastructure. The property tax increase is the highest in several years, surpassing the 4.5 percent hike approved for 2025, according to historical city records. This comes as the provincial government in Saskatchewan has also grappled with its own fiscal challenges, including resource-based revenues affected by fluctuating commodity prices.
Contextually, the transit safety additions align with national trends. Cities like Toronto and Vancouver have implemented similar police detachments on public transit following high-profile incidents of violence and harassment. In Saskatoon, transit ridership has rebounded post-pandemic, with monthly passes seeing increased usage, but reports of disruptive behavior have prompted calls from riders and unions for better enforcement.
The affordable housing push builds on federal and provincial programs, such as the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation's initiatives, which Saskatoon has tapped into for previous projects. Council members noted during deliberations that without such incentives, the city's vacancy rate—hovering around 2 percent—could worsen, exacerbating affordability issues for young professionals and families drawn to Saskatoon's universities and tech sector.
Environmental measures like herbicide use in parks have sparked some debate in past budgets, with environmental groups advocating for organic alternatives. However, city officials defended the decision as necessary for controlling invasive species that could harm native flora along the riverbanks, a key ecological feature of the area.
Looking ahead, the approved budget sets the stage for implementation starting January 2026, with property tax bills mailed out in the spring. Mayor Block indicated that council will monitor economic conditions closely, potentially adjusting future years if revenues improve. For residents, the increases mean tighter household budgets, but proponents argue the investments will yield long-term benefits in safety, housing, and quality of life.
As Saskatoon continues to grow—projected to add 10,000 residents by 2030—these budgetary choices underscore the balancing act between service expansion and taxpayer relief. Community groups have already voiced plans to review the budget's impacts, while council prepares for the next fiscal cycle in 2027.