REGINA - Minister of Social Services Gene Makowsky responded at the legislature Tuesday on correspondence the government received from Saskatoon Ward 3 Councillor David Kirton.
In a letter dated April 24 which Kirton posted to social media, he called on the Saskatchewan Government “to fund supported facilities for these 100 people with complex needs,” referring to individuals who are unhoused and have addictions and mental health health challenges.
Kirton also called for a review of the Saskatoon Tribal Council’s Emergency Wellness Centre, which had recently re-located to the Fairhaven neighbourhood in his ward. Kirton stated that as the EWS “has gone through a bit of a pilot stage, it would be useful to conduct a review to identify what we as a community have learned so far.”
He proposed a working group with representatives of the Province of Saskatchewan, the City of Saskatoon, Saskatoon Police, Saskatoon Fire, and the Saskatoon Tribal Council, among others.
“Many of the problems we are seeing in Fairhaven and the Confederation Suburban Centre are associated with individuals who are unhoused and have complex needs (addictions, mental health etc). This is not limited to Fairhaven, but in fact can be seen throughout Saskatoon. I have talked with most agencies in Saskatoon, and it has been generally agreed that there are approximately 100 people on Saskatoon’s streets who have such complex needs. They either choose not to stay in a shelter, cannot get a bed in a shelter, or are getting kicked out of those shelters.”
Kirton also called for the “Saskatchewan Government to re-instate its original Saskatchewan Assistance Program (SAP)." He criticized the existing Saskatchewan Income Support (SIS) program, saying that "not making direct payments to landlords and not guaranteeing utility payments is creating more homelessness."
“The current SIS results in higher evictions. It is also a barrier to successful rehousing. Landlords are refusing to rent to SIS clients because of the changes that reduced rates, reduced access to security deposits, and removed those direct payments."
When asked at the legislature Tuesday if he had seen Kirton’s letter, Minister Makowsky responded “yes I have.”
Makowsky also said he had a meeting with Kirton, in which he explained some of the things his ministry was doing.
He noted they had already made a change to start direct payments again for those with complex needs, had “increased trusteeship significantly” for those needing help with funds, and added “we’re working very hard on homelessness, and like I said, a very complex issue but we’re working on it.”
On the treatment side, Makowsky pointed to providing 500 or so overnight emergency shelters they were able to fund with their community based organizations as partners, as well as wellness centres in Regina and Saskatoon.
“He was talking about wraparound supports for those with a lot of challenges, and we are providing just that with our partners at Saskatoon Tribal Council as well as Regina Treaty Service here in Regina. So those are some of the things we’re working on.”
As for the suggestion of a working group, Makowsky did say they are always working with their community-based organizations including with Saskatoon Tribal Council and with Mayor Charlie Clark.
“We’re always willing to have meetings. As I said, I’ve met with Mr. Kirton and I’m always willing to talk and try and find solutions and work collaboratively.”
Earlier on Tuesday, the Saskatoon Tribal Council had come out against Kirton’s correspondence. At a news conference, Tribal Chief Mark Arcand said he was “blindsided” by the letter and denounced Kirton making it public. He added: “I believe we have a great working relationship with the province of Saskatchewan in battling homelessness.”
Makowsky shared that view in speaking to reporters at the legislature Tuesday.
“It’s part of what I talked about earlier, partnering with our (community based-organizations), and Saskatoon Tribal Council’s been a good partner in this area, but other areas — things like individuals exiting incarceration, just recently an announcement on that.
“So, even in different ministries, we’re looking to support people and help them hopefully moving from a homeless situation to a supported living depending on their situation, maybe becoming more independent with a little bit of support all the way to maybe the private market into the future. The STC is a partner along that way and we appreciate Tribal Chief Arcand, and the partnership we have."
