Sask. mayors call for better use of government housing to deal with homelessness
Emergency shelters across Saskatchewan are full and some people are living in tents as temperatures drop and snowfall increases.
“Our shelter has been full every day and unfortunately at the end of the day there are folks that we have to refer to other agencies,” Major Al Hoeft of the Salvation Army told CTV News.
Saskatchewan’s city mayors say $600 a month in social assistance isn’t enough for single people to survive on in their communities.
Many, like Mayor Gerald Aalbers, believe it’s a contributing factor to homelessness.
“The cities are involved because people end up at our door. Our police departments, our fire departments are getting called to clean up, to assist, to house and that’s not their job,” he said.
Saskatchewan’s mayors think the provincial government’s 3,000 vacant housing units could be part of the solution.
Current rules primarily allow seniors or families as tenants, shutting out many single people who have nowhere to go.
“We end up having to hold vacant properties that we can’t fill,” Mayor Sandra Masters said.
“I believe that’s being worked on right now because the city mayor’s caucus of SUMA has brought that to the attention of the government.”
The Government of Saskatchewan says it’s one of the top provinces in Canada for meeting people’s basic needs.
However, the government did say it is looking for better ways to match public housing with those who need somewhere to live.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
W5 Investigates | Daniel Jolivet insists he's not a murderer and says he has proof
Convicted murderer Daniel Jolivet, in prison for the past 30 years, has maintained his innocence since the day he was arrested. W5 reviews the evidence he painstakingly assembled while behind bars. W5's documentary 'Buried Evidence' airs Saturday at 7 p.m. on CTV.

Dozens of soldiers freed in Russia-Ukraine prisoner swap
Dozens of Russian and Ukrainian prisoners of war have returned home following a prisoner swap, officials on both sides said Saturday.
Marit Stiles set to officially take over as Ontario NDP leader
Marit Stiles is expected to be confirmed as the new leader of the Ontario NDP today.
China balloon: Many questions about suspected spy in the sky
The massive white orb drifting across U.S. airspace has triggered a diplomatic maelstrom and is blowing up on social media. A look at what's known about the balloon crossing the U.S. and what isn't.
Preliminary study finds poor oral health may affect the brain later in life
An early study has shown keeping your gums and teeth healthy may have added benefits for your brain health.
Oldest preserved vertebrate brain found in 319-million-year-old fish fossil
The oldest preserved vertebrate brain has been found in a 319-million-year-old fossilized fish skull that was removed from an English coal mine over a century ago.
In Tyre Nichols' neighbourhood, Black residents fear police
In a terrible way, the death of Tyre Nichols brings vindication to members of the Black community in Memphis who live in terror of police.
One in four Canadian cancer patients still experiencing cancelled appointments: survey
In the field of cancer treatment, nothing is more important than diagnosing and treating the problem as quickly as possible — but according to new survey data, about one in four Canadian cancer patients report that they are still experiencing cancelled or postponed appointments.
50-car train derailment causes big fire, evacuations in Ohio
A train derailment and resulting large fire prompted an evacuation order and a declaration of a state of emergency in an Ohio village near the Pennsylvania state line on Friday night, covering the area in billows of smoke lit orange by the flames below.