SASKATOON — Saskatoon Tribal Council Chief Mark Arcand urges the City Council to find real solutions to the homelessness crisis. The crisis has affected more than 1,000 individuals and puts them at greater risk as we enter winter when snow and icy conditions are expected to occur frequently.
The City Council recently approved a six-phase Homelessness and Encampment Response Plan, which aims to take a proactive approach. Under the plan, more than $4 million in federal money would fund a 30-unit housing facility.
However, Arcand questioned when the facility would be ready from the six-phase plan to help the 1,499 people who consider themselves homeless based on the Point-In-Time Count done last October, adding that it might be two years into the future.
“That’s not good enough. We need action now because [about] 1,500 people are on the street. People must wake up and say: ‘We went from 550 two years ago to [about] 1,500 people.’ That is a serious increase in people. We need an immediate response to fill that gap so it doesn't increase to 2,000 people by phase six's completion,” said Arcand.
Arcand, who said City Hall’s current strategies are insufficient and deeply flawed, was supposed to address the City Council’s meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 18. However, the response to homelessness was not on the agenda that morning.
“They [City Council] are not addressing that. That's the problem. The city council has to say: ‘What are we doing today to serve [about] 1,500 people on the streets of Saskatoon?’ And the answer is zero. They have not increased any beds. They haven't done anything like that.”
He added the 35-bed facility on Pacific Avenue, the former office of the Saskatchewan Transportation Company, will not be ready until March, which is already around springtime and will not solve the current crisis experienced during the winter.
“Thirty-five beds for 1,500 people? That’s not going to dent this crisis. We all know what's going to happen in summertime. People go camping outside along the river and everywhere. There's no proactive thinking of response today to our crisis. And that's the problem,” said Arcand.
He also expressed his frustration over Ward 3 Councillor Robert Pearce's remarks during the Council meeting when he asked what the solution was to settle the issue of the Emergency Wellness Centre in Fairhaven.
“I just have one question, and you know I'm looking at this going, so this is an $8.8-million-dollar commitment to homelessness, our portion, their portion. So, I will ask the uncomfortable question because I have to. What about Fairhaven? What solution is coming for people living with serious issues in Fairhaven and the surrounding communities? If we're spending $8.8M and haven't committed anything to this yet, I think this city deserves to treat Fairhaven in some way, shape or form, find a solution with Chief Arcand, and relocate it,” said Pearce.
“In reality, we have our portion of roughly, I'll say, $4.3M sitting there. I'm sorry, the people of Fairhaven have been waiting two years. Suppose we have $4.3M to help put towards a solution. In that case, I will ask this council to seriously consider supporting the people at Fairhaven and the surrounding communities because something needs to happen. It's long overdue.”
While Arcand is open to relocation, he insists that a solution must be in place before such a move can happen. He argues that the decision would only exacerbate the crisis without a proper plan.
“You can’t just remove a shelter for 106 people without a solution. You’re not solving the problem, and you’re just moving it. The issue is not confined to individual wards; it's a city-wide problem that demands urgent action from all city leaders, not just those with immediate concerns in their areas,” said Arcand.
He sees the importance of providing more immediate shelter options, including 24-hour warm-up spaces for people experiencing homelessness who lack proper clothing and footwear for those on the streets during the harsh winter months.
Arcand expressed disappointment in the city’s reliance on the provincial government, particularly regarding the lack of community consultation on the Mustard Seed organization’s planned entry into Saskatoon. He said the city should take a stronger stance, advocating for the best interests of Saskatoon’s homeless population.
“We need to stop rolling over to the province. We need to take responsibility. We’re [STC’s EWC] showing results. We know how to help. We need the resources. We can’t wait two years for a solution. We need action now,” said Arcand.
