The NDP says the province isn’t doing enough when it comes to homelessness and housing initiatives.  

Clean-up began Thursday on the homeless encampments in the area of 20th Street West, 19th Street West, and Avenue K South in Saskatoon. Social Services Critic April ChiefCalf says there should be no reason for an encampment in a wealthy province such as Saskatchewan. 

“I personally think we can do better than an encampment. I’ve lost people up north who froze to death. I lost a student here in the city in 2000 that froze to death. I don’t want to see anybody freeze to death this winter.”

ChiefCalf says to make matters worse, the Premier and his social services minister seem to be staying silent during both a housing and affordability crisis, calling Minister Terry Jenson an ‘M.I.A MLA’. She says she has a meeting coming up with the City of Saskatoon regarding a plan for the winter.

“The funding for those services comes from the Province, and the Province needs to be at the table helping the City to get that up and running.”

ChiefCalf calls on the government to take action and quit downloading these pressures onto municipalities.  

“As of July 10th, Saskatchewan Housing Corporation reported 1,933 unoccupied rentable social housing units across the province. Of those, 952 were classified as ‘rent ready’.”

She says every one of these units could be used to get people off the streets. 

Chief Calf adds that the government should be asking community organizations what they think needs to be done and working together to create a plan.