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
Air traveller complaints to Canadian Transportation Agency hit new high
The Canadian Transportation Agency has hit a record high of more than 71,000 complaints in a backlog. The quasi-judicial regulator and tribunal tasked with settling disputes between customers and the airlines says the backlog is growing because the number of incoming complaints keeps increasing.
LIVE @ 1:15 PT B.C. premier to give announcement related to public drug use
B.C.'s premier is scheduled to give an update Friday about public drug use in the province.
Orca calf that was trapped in B.C. lagoon for weeks swims free
An orca whale calf that has been stranded in a B.C. lagoon for weeks after her pregnant mother died swam out on her own early Friday morning.
AFN chief says Air Canada offered a 15% discount after her headdress was mishandled
After the Assembly of First Nations' national chief complained to Air Canada about how staffers treated her and her ceremonial headdress on a flight this week, she says the airline responded by offering a 15 per cent discount on her next flight.
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau on navigating post-political life, co-parenting and freedom
Sophie Gregoire Trudeau says there is 'still so much love' between her and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, as they navigate their post-separation relationship co-parenting their three children.
Flight attendant indicted in attempt to record teen girl in airplane bathroom
An American Airlines flight attendant was indicted Thursday after authorities said he tried to secretly record video of a 14-year-old girl using an airplane bathroom last September.
76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid says he has Bell's palsy
Philadelphia 76ers All-Star centre Joel Embiid has been diagnosed with Bell’s palsy, a form of facial paralysis he says has affected him since before the play-in tournament.
DEVELOPING Bird flu outbreaks: WHO weighs in on public health risk
The current overall public health risk posed by the H5N1 bird flu virus is low, the World Health Organization said on Friday, but urged countries to stay alert for cases of animal-to-human transmission.
Island near Mull of Kintyre for sale for US$3.1 million
An idyllic 453-acre private island is up for sale off the west coast of Scotland and it comes with sandy beaches, puffins galore, seven houses, a pub, a helipad and a flock of black-faced sheep.