Saskatoon Fairhaven group wants massive cut to STC shelter capacity
A group of Fairhaven residents are ramping up their fight to see the city’s largest shelter cut down to less than one-third of its current capacity.
The group was instrumental in organizing protests against a proposed 30-bed shelter in Sutherland, leading to a motion in city council on Wednesday that effectively quashed the facility.
Fairmont Baptist Church pastor Robert Pearce has become synonymous with the neighborhood’s battle to overhaul the Saskatoon Tribal Council (STC) wellness centre down the street.
He told CTV News he’s ready for the biggest fight yet. Pearce says residents of the area have initiated a 90-day action plan.
They want to see the wellness centre reduced to 30 beds from the current 106 beds and to have the STC replaced as operator.
“We’re informing the province and the city, this is our expectation with this, and this is where we’re moving to, and we expect them to get on board and we expect them to help us, because this has gone on long enough as it is,” said Pearce.
“We have been neglected and we have been ignored and it’s taken this to wake people up to the fact that this isn’t right,” he says.
They’ve also started an online petition asking for relocation of the Fairhaven shelter that’s garnered over 500 signatures in several days.
Pearce admits he was surprised by the developments of last Wednesday’s city council meeting where officials agreed to change the distance a shelter can be from a school, a motion essentially designed to take the proposed location in the Sutherland fire hall out of the running.
Pearce says the motion neglected to consider Fairhaven’s schools.
“Why are our children worthy of less consideration? We have facts and figures and news reports of things happening at Fairhaven schools and they’re 700 metres away,” he says.
Councillor for the ward David Kirton wasn’t in favour of the motion to change the distance requirement which ultimately cancelled the Sutherland shelter.
He says it was a missed opportunity.
“Had we gotten Central Avenue approved, yes there were concerns, with ACT Arena and Bishop Filevich school, but this was a 30-bed facility with no complex needs,” Kirton said.
Kirton acknowledges there’s a sense on certain Facebook pages that Saskatoon’s west side gets less consideration at city hall, but he says shelters need to be in all areas of the city to avoid this perception.
Pearce, meanwhile, says he doesn’t want areas of the city pitted against each other. He said Sutherland residents showed up at the recent Fairhaven rally at city hall and they are still offering his group support.
“They said we’re still supporting you and we’ll help you get your resolutions, and you’re right, this is a city-wide thing.”
Pearce tells us he is running for councillor in the ward in the next civic election, while Kirton wouldn’t say what his plans are.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
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.
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.
AstraZeneca says it will withdraw COVID-19 vaccine globally as demand dips
AstraZeneca said on Tuesday it had initiated the worldwide withdrawal of its COVID-19 vaccine due to a 'surplus of available updated vaccines' since the pandemic.
'Summer of discontent': Federal unions vow to fight new 3-day a week office mandate
Federal unions are launching legal challenges and encouraging public sector workers to file "tens of thousands" of grievances over the new mandate requiring federal workers to return to the office at least three days a week in the fall.
Watch fighter jet pilots pummel fake enemy ship off coast of Philippines
The United States and Philippines held annual joint-training drills just off the Southeast Asian nation’s western coast on Wednesday. Military forces sunk a 'mock' enemy warship – the BRP Lake Caliraya, which was a decommissioned tanker made in China.
'Ozempic babies': Reports of surprise pregnancies raise new questions about weight loss drugs
Numerous women have shared stories of 'Ozempic babies' on social media. But the joy some experience in discovering pregnancies may come with anxiety about the unknowns.
OPINION What King Charles' schedule being too 'full' to accommodate son suggests
Prince Harry, the Duke of Sussex, has made headlines with his recent arrival in the U.K., this time to celebrate all things Invictus. But upon the prince landing in the U.K., we have already had confirmation that King Charles III won't have time to see his youngest son during his brief visit.
'I killed four people': Trial hears video evidence of Jeremy Skibicki at Winnipeg trial
“I killed four people,” alleged serial killer Jeremy Skibicki told two homicide detectives during a recorded interview played as evidence in his trial Wednesday.
Seafood, eat food: Calgary Stampede releases Midway menu
The Calgary Stampede has released its menu of sweet, salty and spicy treats available on the Midway for the Greatest Outdoor Show on Earth.