'There isn’t a clear plan': Saskatoon business leader questions if shelters should be concentrated downtown
A temporary homeless shelter on First Avenue North officially opened its doors Wednesday night.
The Saskatoon Tribal Council (STC), which operates the shelter, said it has passed all necessary inspections, guaranteeing a safe facility for people and staff.
In a news release, STC Chief Mark Arcand said it is an Indigenous-led solution for everyone who needs it. The shelter, which is open 24 hours, has nine staff members on every 12 hours and has 46 beds.
However, the shelter is drawing criticism from the Downtown Saskatoon Business Improvement District (BID).
Executive Director Brent Penner said he is pleased to see the STC’s involvement but does not think the shelter being downtown will be a positive addition.
He said several businesses have come to them to share their concerns and that the temporary shelter is no substitute for long-term solutions.
Penner said the fact the shelter's opening was delayed three days later than it was originally planned points a gap in big-picture planning around homelessness.
“The mere fact that we’re having this conversation on Dec. 15, and it was at council a week ago, shows that there is, I think it’s a sign of failure. We know the cold weather is coming and I think it points to (the fact) there isn’t a clear plan to deal with many of these issues and that’s something we really need to address,” Penner said.
Penner said said the BID wants the city to come up with a comprehensive approach to tackling homelessness. He also prefers that resources be spread across the city instead of concentrating them in the downtown core.
“Where is the best location to provide these services? Who’s best equipped to provide them? And really examine, are the results positive for the people who need help? And also what impact there might be on surrounding businesses,” Penner said.
While he's critical of the lack of overall planning, Penner said an Indigenous led organization like STC is part of the solution and a benefit. He said he’s been in conversations with Arcand many times over the years.
“What I really like about him is that you can have open and frank dialogue and again on issues like this,” Penner said.
Penner said he’s had businesses approach Downtown YXE with concerns as they’re hesitant to speak out publicly on a “sensitive topic.”
He said having a shelter downtown has “unintended consequences” such as a perception of lack of safety for people living and working in the city's core.
Arcand has previously said STC was searching for other locations outside of downtown.
"My preference is not to be downtown cause I don’t want people to access negative things and bring them into the facility.”
Arcand said the shelter is a temporary solution to the systemic issue of homelessness, with the long-term potential to help get people off the streets.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
'It was joy': Trapped B.C. orca calf eats seal meat, putting rescue on hold
A rescue operation for an orca calf trapped in a remote tidal lagoon off Vancouver Island has been put on hold after it started eating seal meat thrown in the water for what is believed to be the first time.
Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
B.C. judge orders shared dog custody for exes who both 'clearly love Stella'
In a first-of-its-kind ruling, a B.C. judge has awarded a former couple joint custody of their dog.
Saskatoon police to search landfill for remains of woman missing since 2020
Saskatoon police say they will begin searching the city’s landfill for the remains of Mackenzie Lee Trottier, who has been missing for more than three years.
Shivering for health: The myths and truths of ice baths explained
In a climate of social media-endorsed wellness rituals, plunging into cold water has promised to aid muscle recovery, enhance mental health and support immune system function. But the evidence of such benefits sits on thin ice, according to researchers.