Aggressive Saskatoon panhandlers giving bad reputation to peaceful ones
‘Peter’ stands near the corner of 21nd Street East and 2nd Avenue; his upside down baseball cap and sign a clear indication of his intentions. For the past few weeks he’s had to panhandle in the city’s core to afford a basic living.
He said illness put him in the hospital and he lost his disability insurance. While he waits for the appeal, every cost comes out of his pocket and no paycheck is replenishing the funds.
He knows he needs at least $45 a day to have enough for food, shelter and medication payments.
Peter is one of several panhandlers who line the busy stretch of sidewalk outside Midtown Plaza Mall in downtown Saskatoon, and their numbers are growing.