One city councillor is frustrated with the lack of action by the province on homelessness. (file photo)

By Susan McNeil

City Hall

City councillor shows frustration on inaction by province on homelessness

Apr 21, 2023 | 5:10 PM

Prince Albert city councillor Tony Head said recent comments to provincial counterparts reflect the frustration constituents are also feeling.

Head was at the recent convention of the Saskatchewan Urban Municipalities Association and got up to speak in the ‘bear pit’ session, where councillors can talk to provincial ministers.

“My comments were heated. That’s what we’re feeling or hearing at least from our residents, is the frustration of the lack of efforts from government to address the plaguing issues of homelessness, mental health and addictions services,” he said.

Provincial cabinet ministers felt some of P.A. councillor Tony Head’s frustration with their approach to homelessness and addictions recently.(Tony Head/Facebook)

Over 90 per cent of the delegates (all are municipal councillors) at SUMA had passed resolutions regarding those exact issues.

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“It was clear to me that residents all across Saskatchewan want to see some of these changes implemented,” Head stated.

“So this government, I hope they took note, I hope heard us loud and clear and they implement the changes that the SUMA group wants to see,” he said.

Head would like specifically for an addictions facility to be built in Prince Albert.

Increased homelessness and issues that come as a result of addictions are being noticed in Prince Albert in greater numbers, but all cities are seeing the same trends.

The resolution passed at the convention at the beginning of this week was lengthy and blames some of the problem on changes to the Saskatchewan Income Support Program.

Not only was funding decreased for people on social assistance, but it was also done at a time when the cost of living has gone up. According to the resolution, the average SIS client is short at least $300 monthly for necessities of life.

The situation has also led to many landlords refusing to rent to people receiving social assistance while at the same time, thousands of social housing units remain empty because they are not being maintained by the Sask. Housing Authority, reads the resolution.

The resolution also points out that many homeless people have mental health or addiction issues and need support in order to maintain housing and that keeping them in jails, shelters and hospitals is more expensive than regular housing.

Delegates want the province to increase SIS rates enough to meet the cost of living and revert back to paying landlords and utility companies directly rather than giving benefits to clients who often do not pay their bills.

For Head, the government has an obligation that it is currently not meeting.

“They are elected to represent all people, not just the ones that voted for them,” he said.

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susan.mcneil@pattisonmedia.com