Saskatoon residents convinced the Governance and Priorities Committee to keep protecting the Small and Northeast Swales this morning in a discussion regarding the possible establishment of the Meewasin Valley as a national urban park. 

Four people requested to speak and 86 more submitted comments in response to the news, but not because they weren’t in favour of giving the valley national designation. Rather, they took great issue with the proposed park boundaries, specifically around the Small and Northeast Swales. The new boundaries would reduce the amount of protected land in the area, endorsed by coucil in 2023, likely endangering the wildlife and plant species that have come to live there. 

However, Meewasin CEO Mike Velonas tried to explain that these preliminary boundaries are flexible pending future discussions with the City and Parks Canada. 

 “Cities are living organisms that grow and change, and the boundaries of the Meewasin Valley and the national urban park should be adjusted regularly for the rest of time to accommodate that change and growth.”

Councilor Bev Dubois questioned several times why Administration would even mark the smaller boundaries if they are still susceptible to changes. This prompted Director of Saskatoon Land Frank Long to step up to the podium. 

 “I will selfishly admit that I would rather be in a position where I am putting land back into the park down the road rather than taking it out…I think the process that the City has laid out for Council today gives us that path forward.”

Dubois proposed that the original boundaries from 2023 be endorsed, subject to engagement and possible refinements and discussions. This was approved unanimously by the rest of committee. Moving forward, pending funding and approvals in place, administration would proceed with Phase 3 activities of the project and finalize the Designation Agreement.