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The City of Saskatoon has been in talks with federal housing minister Sean Fraser to try and hash out a funding deal before this winter, to address the growing number of encampments and those who are experiencing homelessness in the city.
In a letter, Fraser said his ministry would directly deal with both Saskatoon and Regina and several other Canadian cities, after not receiving a response to an offer of funding earlier this year from Saskatchewan, Ontario and Alberta.
In a statement on Wednesday, the Sask. Party – which was in government at the time the letter was sent – said given the “proximity to the provincial election” it wouldn’t be appropriate for the province’s social services minister to meet with Fraser.
Outgoing mayor Charlie Clark said the city has instead been in direct contact with the federal government since $250 million was announced in the spring budget.
Now, Clark said they’re getting closer to learning just how the funding will be rolled out, and what exactly the conditions would be.
“Encampments and the impact of encampments, some of the issues around safety around encampments and just the fact that there’s a lack of housing in cities that’s affecting cities across the country, which was the catalyst for this funding being announced,” Clark said.
The money may also be used to create additional warming spaces this winter. Where, when and just how that’s going to be accomplished is something the city is working on at this time. The plans are expected to be shared at future council meetings.
“These are very urgent needs in our community, and the encampment dollars the federal government has announced could be a big help in meeting some of those needs,”Clark added.
He said Saskatoon has become a sort of “landing place” for many people from other towns and cities who’ve run out of options.
While the exact figure hasn’t been worked out yet, Clark hopes Saskatoon will receive several million dollars, depending on the strategy or proposal each city submits to the federal government on how the money would be spent.
“We could be looking at at least $3 million or maybe even more over the next two years,” he added.
Clark clarified as well that the additional dollars are not the same as the $41 million in Housing Accelerator Fund dollars, provided by the federal government to build multi- unit housing and more rental units in the city.
The money is also in addition to the funding from the provincial government, for 60 new homeless shelter spaces in Saskatoon.
Right now, Clark said administration is looking at options for additional winter warming spaces, including more funding for the Salvation Army and other outreach organizations.
“The city is really under pressure right now to take on more costs related to the crisis around housing and homelessness, but we don’t have the resources within a city budget, or the right tools to do it, or – it’s not our jurisdiction,” he added.
Clark said the city’s goal is to work with both the federal and provincial governments.
“Getting this money from the federal government will save lives, if we can all work together and make sure that we can get the money flowing and get these facilities open,” he said.
“We expect there’s going to be even more demand on these facilities.”
At this point, St. Mary’s Church on 20th Street will once again offer its gymnasium as a warming space. Last year, Clark said the space was designated for 70, but at times had more than 200 people inside.
The goal is to find another location and work with the Salvation Army on that as well.
Moe would welcome federal funding
Sask. Party leader Scott Moe doesn’t appear to be too concerned about the federal minister’s letter.
On Thursday, when asked about it, he said if there were a letter sent to a minister that was responded to then Moe committed to engage on it if his party forms government again.
“Yes, we have many opportunities where we have points of disagreement with the federal government, but we also have many opportunities when we work alongside the federal government to ensure that we can work together to benefit Saskatchewan people,” Moe said.
He also said he believes there are discussions happening between the provincial and federal ministries, even if there wasn’t an official response.
Moe volunteered that he wouldn’t comment on whether there might have been some politics at play in the minister’s letter.
He said he would look forward to discussions with municipal leaders and the federal government around tackling homelessness.
“On how we can ensure that we are layering the provincial funding alongside the municipal funding, alongside the federal funding so that it is benefiting the opportunities of our friends, family members, community members,” Moe explained.
— with files from 980 CJME’s Lisa Schick