'A downhill battle': Stories of social assistance struggles in spotlight at Sask. Legislature
Single parents on social assistance struggling to make ends meet told their stories at the legislative building on Thursday.
Frank Francoeur lives in a government owned rental-housing building but can no longer afford to live there. He said he is being evicted at the end of the month as others from the same building on social assistance were recently.
“Every building has at least two children. Everybody plays together. (My) children are still talking about all the families that got evicted throughout twelve months. The building has been sitting almost vacant by half,” he said.
Kelly Anderson, a single mom to an 18-month old, worries she could lose her apartment because she no longer receives enough assistance to pay for power.
“I’ve always paid everything on time. I’ve never had disconnection notices, nothing. Ever since I have been switched over to SIS, it’s been nothing but a downhill battle,” she said.
Both came to the legislative building to talk about how their financial situations have worsened since the government made changes to social assistance programs.
“We all pay a price when we have a ministry that would rather pay $150 a night for a hotel room for an evicted person than pay that same amount towards heating that person’s house and keeping them housed,” said NDP MLA Meara Conway.
The government said it has increased shelter allowances but acknowledges that some people are having problems.
“Well the nature of the program, quite frankly, is the clients usually have challenges and problems. It’s an income assistance program of last resort,” said Deputy Premier Donna Harpauer.
Coming to the legislative building was a last resort for the single parents fearing eviction. The government met with them privately to work toward solutions.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
B.C. tenants evicted for landlord's use after refusing large rent increase to take over neighbouring suite
Ashley Dickey and her mother rented part of the same Coquitlam duplex in three different decades under three different landlords.
Mountain guide dies after falling into a crevasse in Banff National Park
A man who fell into a crevasse while leading a backcountry ski group deep in the Canadian Rockies has died.
Expert warns of food consumption habits amid rising prices
A new survey by Dalhousie University's Agri-Food Analytics Lab asked Canadians about their food consumption habits amid rising prices.
MPP Sarah Jama asked to leave Ontario legislature for wearing keffiyeh
MPP Sarah Jama was asked to leave the Legislative Assembly of Ontario by House Speaker Ted Arnott on Thursday for wearing a keffiyeh, a garment which has been banned at Queen’s Park.
Charlie Woods, son of Tiger, shoots 81 in U.S. Open qualifier
Charlie Woods failed to advance in a U.S. Open local qualifying event Thursday, shooting a 9-over 81 at Legacy Golf & Tennis Club.
Ex-tabloid publisher testifies he scooped up possibly damaging tales to shield his old friend Trump
As Donald Trump was running for president in 2016, his old friend at the National Enquirer was scooping up potentially damaging stories about the candidate and paying out tens of thousands of dollars to keep them from the public eye.
Here's why provinces aren't following Saskatchewan's lead on the carbon tax home heating fight
After Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government would still send Canada Carbon Rebate cheques to Saskatchewan residents, despite Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's decision to stop collecting the carbon tax on natural gas or home heating, questions were raised about whether other provinces would follow suit. CTV News reached out across the country and here's what we found out.
Montreal actress calls Weinstein ruling 'discouraging' but not surprising
A Montreal actress, who has previously detailed incidents she had with disgraced Hollywood producer Harvey Weinstein, says a New York Court of Appeals decision overturning his 2020 rape conviction is 'discouraging' but not surprising.
Caleb Williams, Jayden Daniels and Drake Maye make it four NFL drafts with quarterbacks going 1-3
Caleb Williams is heading to the Windy City, aiming to become the franchise quarterback Chicago has sought for decades.