'It's a calmer atmosphere': Saskatoon Tribal Council opens new emergency shelter
The Saskatoon Tribal Council's (STC) Wellness Centre has opened its doors in Fairhaven and is nearly at capacity.
The facility has 106 beds, and there are currently 97 people staying at shelter.
Mark, who would not disclose his last name, is staying at the Centre.
"It's beautifully laid out. We have everything we need," he said.
The new facility includes four rooms, one for men, women, families and overflow, with about 30 beds each. It also has two bathrooms for men and women, rooms providing entertainment, a dining area, laundry service and showers.
In total, more than 60 staff members work a 24-hour cycle, including a counsellor, a paramedic and 20 peacekeepers.
Relatives, as Chief Arcand refers to people using the facility, will be given a bin to secure their stuff.
"It's a bigger facility than downtown. It's a calmer atmosphere," said Chief Arcand.
"Safety is a priority. Security is a priority, but also feeding people".
For exits, the building uses a one-way in and one-way out system.
STC plans to expand the Fairhaven location to include more storage and office space for social services and renovate the pods to make them more individualized as soon as the spring.
DOWNTOWN LOCATION CLOSING
With one door opening, another is closing, as the STC's downtown location is set to shut down.
According to Chief Arcand, with its current funding, it can only be open from 10 p.m. to 10 a.m.
"We shouldn't be kicking people out during the day and then telling them to come back," said Arcand.
Arcand is calling on more funding for the downtown centre to help keep it functioning 24 hours a day.
"We need to feed people when they're in our facility. We need to take care of them."
Arcand says 20 people stayed at the location on Thursday night, while the Fairhaven location is almost at capacity.
"That's the question: where they're going to go? Because I think the whole system that they decide in regards to these warm-up shelters is wrong."
According to Arcand, the downtown facility is set to close on Sunday, December 4th.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Pedestrian, baby injured after stroller struck and dragged by vehicle in Squamish, B.C.
Police say a baby and a pedestrian suffered non-life-threatening injuries after a vehicle struck a baby stroller and dragged it for two blocks before stopping in Squamish, B.C.
Senate expenses climbed to $7.2 million in 2023, up nearly 30%
Senators in Canada claimed $7.2 million in expenses in 2023, a nearly 30 per cent increase over the previous year.
Demonstrators kicked out of Ontario legislature for disruption after failed keffiyeh vote
A group of demonstrators were kicked out of the legislature after a second NDP motion calling for unanimous consent to reverse a ban on the keffiyeh failed to pass.
Tom Mulcair: Park littered with trash after 'pilot project' is perfect symbol of Trudeau governance
Former NDP leader Tom Mulcair says that what's happening now in a trash-littered federal park in Quebec is a perfect metaphor for how the Trudeau government runs things.
RCMP uncovers alleged plot by 2 Montreal men to illegally sell drones, equipment to Libya
The RCMP says it has uncovered a plot by two men in Montreal to sell Chinese drones and military equipment to Libya illegally.
Government agrees to US$138.7M settlement over FBI's botching of Larry Nassar assault allegations
The U.S. Justice Department announced a US$138.7 million settlement Tuesday with more than 100 people who accused the FBI of grossly mishandling allegations of sexual assault against Larry Nassar in 2015 and 2016, a critical time gap that allowed the sports doctor to continue to prey on victims before his arrest.
Man wanted in connection with deadly shooting in Toronto tops list of most wanted fugitives in Canada
A 35-year-old man wanted in connection with the murder of Toronto resident 29-year-old Sharmar Powell-Flowers nine months ago has topped the list of the BOLO program’s 25 most wanted fugitives across Canada, police announced Tuesday.
Doctors ask Liberal government to reconsider capital gains tax change
The Canadian Medical Association is asking the federal government to reconsider its proposed changes to capital gains taxation, arguing it will affect doctors' retirement savings.
Pro-Palestinian protests roiling U.S. colleges escalate with arrests, new encampments and closures
The student protests of Israel's war with Hamas that have been creating friction at U.S. universities escalated Tuesday as new encampments sprouted and some colleges encouraged students to stay home and learn online, after dozens of arrests across the country.