New four-year strategic plan, street weapons bylaw on city council agenda tonight – DiscoverMooseJaw.com

Moose Jaw City Council is set to tackle a busy agenda at its regular meeting this evening, with the city’s future direction and new public safety measures taking centre stage. Council will be presented with a new four-year strategic plan and will hold a final vote on the proposed Safe Public Spaces Bylaw.

The most significant item on the agenda is the presentation of the City of Moose Jaw’s Strategic Plan for 2026-2029. The document, created through a collaborative process involving Council, city administration, and employees, will serve as a roadmap for the city’s priorities over the next four years.

The plan is built around five core pillars:

• Resident-Centric Community
• Economic Growth & Partnership
• Sustainable Infrastructure & Environmental Stewardship
• Financial Responsibility & Transparent Governance
• Vibrant, Safe, and Welcoming City

“Our Strategic Plan is more than a document; it is a commitment,” reads a message from City Council within the plan. “It challenges us to lead with vision, to act with purpose, and to remain accountable to the people of Moose Jaw.”

Council is also scheduled to hold a public hearing and all three readings for the Safe Public Spaces Bylaw. If passed, the bylaw would see the City of Moose Jaw opt in to a new provincial law, The Safe Public Spaces (Street Weapons) Act.

This would give the Moose Jaw Police Service enhanced powers to seize items defined as “street weapons” — such as large knives, machetes, or bear spray — from people in public spaces if they are deemed a threat, regardless of whether a criminal charge is laid.

Council will begin somberly, with an acknowledgement of the recent passing of former city employee Brian Acker, who died only days after officially retiring as long-time Director of Financial Services. Council will then acknowledge the service of Derek Blais, who is currently the Director of Community Services.

The meeting will also feature a positive note, with the presentation of two major post-secondary scholarships to local graduates. The 2025 Dubinsky Family Scholarship will be presented to Ireland Guillaume, a Vanier Collegiate graduate with a 97.6% average who is heading to the University of Calgary to study Biomedical Science.

The 2025 Snowbirds Scholarship will be awarded to Judy (Tong) Jin, a Central Collegiate graduate also with a 97.6% average, who has been accepted into the University of Toronto’s Life Science program with the goal of becoming a doctor.

The council meeting begins at 4:30 p.m. in the Council Chambers at City Hall.