In response to rising concerns from our membership, the Greater Saskatoon Chamber of Commerce has submitted a formal letter to Mayor Block and City Councillors, highlighting the growing impact that crime, vandalism, and interactions with vulnerable populations are having on local businesses.

This follows a recent city-wide Business Safety Survey completed by 263 businesses from across Saskatoon. Key findings include:

Insurance premiums on the rise: 58% of businesses indicated their insurance premiums have increased over the past 12 months, with 14% facing significant increases of more than 10%.

Security-related costs are climbing sharply: 85% of businesses reported increases in security-related costs, with one in four experiencing hikes of more than 25%. This suggests many businesses are being forced to invest more in protection measures to safeguard staff and property.

Frequent encounters with vulnerable populations: One in four businesses reported experiencing incidents associated with vulnerable populations on a weekly or more frequent basis. This is notably high considering a portion of surveyed businesses are not street-facing and may have less direct exposure to public foot traffic.

Widespread adoption of multiple safety measures: A majority of businesses are layering several strategies to deter crime and vandalism. Top-ranked measures include installing security cameras, installing security gates, bars or reinforced doors and windows, and training staff in crime prevention and de-escalation. 

Absorbing costs and not reporting: The number of businesses who are choosing not to report incidents and/or property damage to their insurance companies or police was surprising. Instead, a substantial number have elected to absorb the cost(s) and address the issue(s) themselves.

We’ve called on City Council to take meaningful action by introducing local support programs, including targeted property tax relief and security grants for businesses most impacted.

Read the full letter to City Council here

Thank you to all members who completed the survey and continue to share their experiences with us.