NDP calls for government action as Regina tent community grows
The provincial opposition is calling on the Government of Saskatchewan to make its vacant public housing units available to those experiencing homelessness.
The provincial government owns thousands of public housing units in the province, and according to Sask Housing, roughly 700 in Regina are vacant due to lack of tenants.
- Advocates call on Sask. government to reverse income support changes
“There are hundreds of units available in Regina and in Saskatoon and in other communities in social housing. They’re not being used and those should be opened up as quickly as possible,” NDP leader Ryan Meili said Wednesday.
The call comes as a tent community grows in Pepsi Park. Twenty-four people are currently living there. Social Services is making regular welfare checks and has made temporary accommodations available for a handful of people.
According to a statement from the Government of Saskatchewan, social services has met with about 11 people living in Pepsi Park. As of Tuesday, four individuals have accepted an offer of accommodation and follow-up appointments are being made. The remaining few have declined government assistance.
Donations are pouring in from the community. People are stopping by with donations of food, coffee and warm clothing.
Staying warm is becoming critical as below-freezing temperatures set in. Charcoal burning fire pits are being installed at the tent community under the watchful eye of the fire department.
“They’re staying warm and they’re being as safe as possible. That’s just the role of the fire department to make sure that all our citizens are as safe as can be,” Randy Ryba, fire marshall for Regina Fire and Protective Services said.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'We have laws': Premier Smith says police action justified in Calgary
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.