Saskatchewan's $90M social services initiative underway
Over six months after Saskatchewan's government announced a significant $90 million investment in social services, the initiative is reportedly making progress.
The funding, allocated over two years, aims to enhance shelters, housing, addiction support, and several other critical services.
The Minister of Social Services Gene Makowsky said the ongoing efforts to expand the province's social support framework.
"That work is going on every day behind the scenes to bring on more shelters, more supportive housing, and hopefully, folks will have a path to shift to market housing or on their own," said Makowsky.
However, the NDP's social services critic, Meara Conway, argues that while the funding is necessary, it falls short of addressing the full scale of the issues.
"The problem with the current approach is the numbers. It's just a drop in the bucket when you compare the number of spots that are opening up, compared to the actual number in terms of who's needing this kind of service, so I don't think we're going to see real success in this area," Conway said
One of the upcoming projects includes the temporary Idylwyld Complex, a shelter designed to accommodate fifteen people for 18 months.
Minister Makowsky reassured that progress is being made.
"I know work is underway on the construction side, as well as the human resource side, and of course, both will need to come forward, but I think that work is progressing, and is just another avenue for individuals who are having issues," said Makowsky.
As the program and its implementation are still in the early stages, it remains to be seen whether the approach will meet the needs of Saskatchewan's most vulnerable populations.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'A step forward': New screening criteria for sperm donors takes effect
Canadians looking to grow their families with the assistance of sperm or egg donations should soon have more options for donors as the federal health agency does away with longstanding restrictions criticized as discriminatory.
Ontario Provincial Police arrest 64 suspects in child sexual exploitation investigation
Ontario Provincial Police say 64 suspects are facing a combined 348 charges in connection with a series of child sexual exploitation investigations that spanned the province.
U.S. presidential candidate RFK Jr. had a brain worm, has recovered, campaign says
Independent U.S. presidential candidate Robert F. Kennedy Jr. had a parasite in his head more than a decade ago, but has fully recovered, his campaign said, after the New York Times reported about the ailment.
Police handcuff man trying to enter Drake's Toronto mansion
Toronto police say a man was taken into custody outside Drake's Bridle Path mansion Wednesday afternoon after he tried to gain access to the residence.
What is whooping cough and should Canadians be concerned as Europe declares outbreak?
There is currently a whooping cough epidemic in Europe, with 10 times as many cases compared to the previous two years. While an outbreak has not been declared nationwide in Canada, whooping cough is regularly detected in the country.
Pfizer agrees to settle more than 10K lawsuits over Zantac cancer risk: Bloomberg News
Pfizer has agreed to settle more than 10,000 lawsuits about cancer risks related to the now discontinued heartburn drug Zantac, Bloomberg News reported on Wednesday, citing people familiar with the deal.
Steve Albini, legendary producer for Nirvana, the Pixies and an alternative rock pioneer, dies at 61
Steve Albini, an alternative rock pioneer and legendary producer who shaped the musical landscape through his work with Nirvana, the Pixies, PJ Harvey and more, has died. He was 61.
Case against ex-Mountie charged with helping China can go ahead in Quebec, judge says
A Quebec court judge has ruled that the case against a former RCMP officer charged with helping China conduct foreign interference can go ahead in the province.
Ippei Mizuhara, ex-interpreter for baseball star Shohei Ohtani, will plead guilty in betting case
The former interpreter for Los Angeles Dodgers star Shohei Ohtani has agreed to plead guilty to bank and tax fraud in a sports betting case in which prosecutors allege he stole nearly US$17 million from the Japanese baseball player to pay off debts, federal prosecutors said Wednesday.