Services are going to be moved out of the Lighthouse, a supported living shelter in downtown Saskatoon that has been source of much criticism and controversy, according to Saskatchewan’s minister of social services.
Minister Gene Makowsky joined John Gormley Thursday morning to discuss the issues around the Lighthouse, and made the surprise announcement.
“I’ve become concerned about the model that they have at the Lighthouse, with having so many services concentrated in one area in downtown Saskatoon,” Makowsky said.
“For those reasons, what I and the government have decided to do is to move those services out of the Lighthouse.”
Makowsky said the Lighthouse has been notified of the Province’s decision, but has not yet offered any response. Meanwhile, Makowsky said the government has been in talks with Saskatoon Tribal Council’s Tribal Chief Mark Arcand, who’s spearheaded the creation of a new shelter and wellness centre.
That shelter has a better model than the Lighthouse, Makowsky said, which is Indigenous-led and culturally appropriate.
“We appreciate him stepping up,” Makowsky said.
No firm timeline has been set for moving services away from the Lighthouse, the minister said, emphasizing the need for a “timely transition” that will involve both social services and the Ministry of Health.
Makowsky said his “number one priority” is the vulnerable population that relies on these services.
“The folks, our fellow citizens, who receive services at the Lighthouse will continue to receive those services,” he said. “It’ll just be at another location.”