Saskatoon residents raise concerns over pedestrian tunnel
A tunnel connecting Saskatoon's Fairhaven community to the Meadowgreen neighbourhood is raising concerns.
The tunnel is in close proximity to Saskatoon Tribal Council Wellness Centre.
“I’m seeing a very large increase in people I don’t know in my space, and some other people have expressed that exact same experience,” said Meadowgreen resident Ryan Giesinger.
Giesinger specified by his area, he meant his yard.
On Thursday the Meadowgreen Community Association held a meeting to discuss possible solutions to the increase in foot traffic. The association says since the Wellness Center was brought to Fairhaven foot traffic has increased significantly.
“We want to see how we can take care of this group and where they are walking around and take care of the safety of the people living in the community,” said Meadowgreen Community Association Sultan Alisadhe. “We want to have a safe community for everyone.”
Alisadhe and the Association are calling on the city and province to do more to help the residents' situation. The main concern for Alisadhe is that people pass through the tunnel for school and work and to use public transportation.
“The safety of homelessness around the tunnel, people are just using injections and drugs, and people are sleeping in the tunnel, and some people just do not feel comfortable crossing the tunnel after certain hours,” he said.
On Thursday the association met to come up with solutions to the tunnel and the increased foot traffic coming in. People suggested closing the tunnel permanently or during certain hours, monitoring it over video.
“Right now there are random people, late night, wee hours of the morning, so that’s the main concern,” said Alisadhe. “Right now it brings lots of traffic that we don’t know who it is.”
A member from the Saskatoon Fire Department and Saskatoon Police Service were both in attendance at the meeting.
“What’s happening in this community is being replicated in other areas of the city, and the concerns regarding homelessness and poverty are something that needs to be addressed by our community,” said Saskatoon Police Service Inspector Tonya Gretsey with the community engagement division.
CTV News did reach out to the Saskatoon Tribal Council for a comment but was told Chief Mark Arcand is away during this time.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Trudeau considering his options as leader after Freeland quits cabinet, sources say
Chrystia Freeland, Canada's finance minister, said in an explosive letter published Monday morning that she will quit cabinet. Here's what happened on Monday, Dec. 16.
'We're not united': Liberal caucus meets, as PM Trudeau faces fresh calls to resign in light of Freeland's departure
The federal Liberals called an emergency caucus meeting Monday night, as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau faced renewed calls from some members of his party to resign. As MPs emerged, the message was mixed.
'Eventful day,' Trudeau says after Chrystia Freeland quits cabinet, LeBlanc tapped to replace her
In a stunning move, Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland announced her resignation from Justin Trudeau's cabinet on Monday, after the prime minister told her he no longer wanted her in the top economic post. After hours of turmoil, Dominic LeBlanc, was sworn-in as her replacement in the finance portfolio.
Feds deliver fall economic statement with $61.9B deficit for 2023-24, amid political turmoil
Amid the news that Chrystia Freeland has resigned from her cabinet position as finance minister, the Department of Finance on Monday unveiled the long-anticipated fall economic statement, which reports a deficit of $61.9-billion for 2023-24.
W5 Investigates Connecting the dots on a landlord scam: how clues revealed a prolific con artist at work
In part one of a three-part investigation, W5 correspondent Jon Woodward reveals how a convicted con artist bilked dozens of people in a landlord scam.
Judge rules Trump does not have presidential immunity protections in hush money conviction
Donald Trump's felony conviction in the New York hush money case should not be tossed out because of the Supreme Court's ruling on presidential immunity.
Canadian hero Terry Fox being featured on next $5 bill
The federal government is paying tribute to Canadian hero Terry Fox by featuring him on the next $5 bank note, officials revealed Monday.
Wisconsin school shooter who killed teacher, student was 17-year-old girl, police say
A teenage student opened fire with a handgun Monday at a Christian school in Wisconsin, killing a teacher and another teenager during the final week before Christmas break. The shooter also died, police said.
Travel risk: Which countries does Canada recommend avoiding?
Canadians planning to travel abroad over the holidays should take precautionary steps to ensure they're not unintentionally putting themselves in harm's way.