Temperature plunge raises concerns around encampments

“The RM is working closely with the landowner and the RCMP to better understand the situation and identify an appropriate path forward,” he said.

(Image Credit: Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Tait stated the safety and well-being of everyone involved—including rural residents, businesses, visitors, and those staying at the encampment—remains the RM’s highest priority.

“At this time, the RM does not have a specific bylaw or policy in place to address homelessness. Council’s decisions regarding this situation, as with all matters before the RM, are guided by its commitment to the safety of rural residents and everyone who visits or conducts business within the municipality.”

Shadow Minister of Housing April Whitecalf said she is familiar with the homeless encampments in Prince Albert.

“I find it very heartbreaking and frustrating because in a province as wealthy as Saskatchewan, we shouldn’t have to see people living in tents,” she said.

(Image Credit: Nigel Maxwell/ paNOW Staff)

Whitecalf said for years, community organizations, municipalities and frontline workers have been sounding the alarm, but Scott Moe and the Sask. Party have failed to meet the scale of the crisis. Having met with people on the front lines and also serving food to homeless people, Whitecalf said a lot of the problem can be traced back to the cost of housing just being too expensive.

“There were some folks in one of the encampments where they have full time jobs but their job just doesn’t provide enough money that they can afford to pay rent.”

Whitecalf is travelling across Northern Saskatchewan this week and said another problem she’s seeing is a complete lack of social housing.

“We know there are communities in the north where their regional housing authority doesn’t have the money to repair houses so they are sitting there empty when there are families that could be in those houses,” she said.

paNOW has reached out to the provincial government for comment.

nigel.maxwell@pattisonmedia.com

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by Nigel Maxwell

Temperature plunge raises concerns around encampments

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