Five challenges facing Fairhaven’s Emergency Wellness Centre

The Saskatoon Tribal Council’s Emergency Wellness Centre in Saskatoon’s Fairhaven neighbourhood first opened its doors in December 2022. The facility has been a topic of controversy in the years since.

Saskatoon Tribal Council Chief Mark Arcand has maintained that too much emphasis is being put on the problems surrounding the wellness centre, and people should focus on the positive changes the shelter has made in the lives of those who stay there.

Saskatoon Ward 3 Coun. David Kirton has been vocal with his concerns about the centre and its impact on residents in his ward.

The two joined The Evan Bray Show on Thursday to share their perspectives on the Emergency Wellness Centre and discuss the challenges face to face.

Listen to the segment on The Evan Bray Show

Crime

Some residents have been outspoken about their concerns surrounding the shelter, saying it has caused an increase in property damage, theft and vandalism in the area.

Kirton said that while he is concerned about the rate of crime in the area, there have been improvements since the STC implemented new policies last year.

“Since October, the crime stats actually show that it levelled off a little bit when (the) Tribal Chief decided that they weren’t going to allow complex needs people within the shelter anymore,” said Kirton.

Arcand said he believes that much of the concern felt by residents in the neighbourhood isn’t caused by statistics, but by misinformation being spread online.

“When I look at the community stats report that the police did last week, City Park has more crime than Fairhaven, and they don’t have a homeless shelter. There’s more violent crimes in Stonebridge than there are in Fairhaven,” said Arcand. “There is fearmongering going on.”

Kirton indicated that some Fairhaven residents have given up on reporting crimes to police.

“I say if you’re not reporting those crimes, you’re a big part of the problem,” he said.

He encouraged residents to continue to call the police to ensure crime statistics accurately reflect what is happening in the area.

Fairhaven residents hold signs in front of the emergency wellness centre. (Mia Holowaychuk/650 CKOM)

Drug use

Last September, Arcand announced that those abusing drugs within the facility would be banned.

Kirton says the policy has led to escalating drug use in parks and other areas of nearby neighbourhoods.

“There is still a policy in effect that doesn’t allow people to use on the property, but it allows people to use in the neighbourhood. That’s creating a lot of challenges,” said Kirton. “When a policy affects the neighbourhood, I would suggest that there is some responsibility there.”

Arcand said the drug ban policy is intended to protect the children who live in the shelter.

“Monkey see, monkey do. If a kid sees a parent doing this kind of stuff, they are going to think it’s OK,” he said. “We can’t please everybody, and it’s hard. But I put kids first because they are the next generation.”

Arcand said that the responsibility for dealing with drug use and other crimes outside of the facility falls on the police.

“If they are using drugs in the park, how come they are not being arrested? How come they are not being held accountable?” he asked. “I can’t hold them accountable because I don’t get paid for security outside. I wish I could.”

Ward 3 councillor David Kirton. (650 CKOM/File)

Lack of communication

“One of the challenges we’ve had is a lack of communication, both from the city and from the Tribal Council,” said Kirton.

“If all of those things are going really well within the wellness centre, wouldn’t it be wonderful to have a report come to the Fairhaven Community Association from the Tribal Council? Just work with us. I just don’t feel there’s enough collaboration.”

The need for more communication is something the Saskatoon Police Service has also been vocal about. Earlier this month, acting Chief Dave Haye told a city council committee that more connection with the Fairhaven and Confederation Suburban Centre communities is needed.

Arcand agrees that better communication between all parties is needed.

“When I think about how we can actually work together, I totally agree. I am fair and honest and say let’s be transparent,” said Arcand.

STC Tribal Chief Mark Arcand. (Shane Clausing/650 CKOM)

Limited funding

The operating agreement between Saskatchewan’s Ministry of Social Services and the Saskatoon Tribal Council was recently extended, but Arcand says the shelter remains underfunded.

“We have been begging and trying to get more funding to have adequate staff to keep the facility and the people safe,” said Arcand.

He said the lack of funding contributes to the challenges arising in the neighbourhoods near the facility.

“Any shelters moving forward in Saskatoon (have) to be funded adequately. If it’s not, it’s going to spill out in the community. That’s exactly what we are seeing in Fairhaven,” he said.

Kirton agrees that an increase in funding is needed.

“The province could solve this, quite frankly, with the proper amount of funding,” said Kirton.

“I think the city needs to put its foot down, but at the same time then, the province gets to stand back and say ‘Well, we’ll just delay this a little bit.’ There’s a challenge in that. We need shelters, but we need the proper funding supporting shelters.”

Size of facility

The Fairhaven Emergency Wellness Centre has 106 beds, which Kirton says is too many.

“I believe 106 beds is not sustainable in this neighbourhood, or any other neighbourhood,” said Kirton. “The number needs to be reduced.”

Arcand says he believes the facility, which he estimates to be 20,000 square feet in size, is adequate to hold 106 people, but admits that more staff are needed.

“When you look at adequate staff, we need … the ratio of one (staff member) to five residents that are staying there,” he said.

Both men agreed that multiple smaller shelters spread around the city would be more effective.

The province says if new shelter sites open in Saskatoon, the number of spaces at Fairhaven’s 106-bed Emergency Wellness Centre will be reduced. (Lara Fominoff/650 CKOM)