'People try to ignore it': Regina family blames homelessness for death of relative
A Regina family is blaming homelessness for the death of a loved one. The body of 41-year-old Del Bitternose was found in North Central two days after Christmas.
Bitternose’s relatives claim he was evicted from his apartment and died while seeking refuge in a camper.
Ivy Kennedy is mourning the death of her nephew. To her, he was like a son.
“He died, he froze to death,” she said, referring to Bitternose. “So homelessness is an issue in Regina and I don’t know why people try to ignore it.”
Bitternose’s body was found in a camper unit on the 700 Block of Garnet Street on Dec. 27.
He had taken shelter there after being evicted from an apartment for non-payment of rent.
“In the winter months there should be no need to live on the streets in Regina,” Kennedy said.
The family claimed Bitternose had received payment from Social Services to cover rent but he failed to forward the money to his landlord. It’s the result of changes to the Saskatchewan Income Support (SIS) program.
“They give the money to the client now. They don’t give the cheques out to the landlord anymore,” Kennedy explained.
“I think that’s still an issue because my nephew would be still alive today.”
The Regina Anti-Poverty Ministry is not aware of the circumstances surrounding Bitternose's death but the organization has repeatedly raised concerns about changes to the SIS program.
“Many of the people that we work with are among the best budgeters that I know of. They’re better budgeters than I am. So I don’t want to take that away from everybody,” Peter Gilmer, a spokesperson for the ministry told CTV News.
“But there certainly are circumstances where it makes sense to have that direct payment.”
Social Services will make rent payments directly to landlords if a problem is identified. In the case of Del Bitternose, it came too late.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Live updates as Stormy Daniels testifies at Trump hush money trial
Adult film star Stormy Daniels will take the stand a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump’s hush money case continues in Manhattan. Follow live updates here.
BREAKING Sheldon Keefe out as head coach of Toronto Maple Leafs
The Toronto Maple Leafs have fired head coach Sheldon Keefe. The team made the announcement Thursday after the Original Six franchise lost to the Boston Bruins in seven games in the first round of the Stanley Cup playoffs.
Bank of Canada says financial system is stable, but risks remain
The Bank of Canada says the Canadian financial system is stable, but risks remain due to debt servicing costs among households and businesses and stretched valuations of financial assets.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Torchbearers in Marseille kick off the Olympic flame's journey across France
Torchbearers carried the Olympic flame through the streets of France's southern port city of Marseille on Thursday, a day after it arrived on a majestic three-mast ship for a welcoming ceremony.
Capital gains tax change 'shortsighted' and 'sows division' business groups tell Freeland
Forging ahead with increasing Canada's capital gains inclusion rate 'sows division,' and is a 'shortsighted' way to improve the deficit, business groups are warning Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland.
Court to hear about search for remains as Winnipeg murder trial enters second day
A courtroom in Winnipeg is expected to hear testimony today about the search for the remains of the four victims of Jeremy Skibicki.
Ontario man frustrated after $3,500 paving job leaves driveway in shambles
An Ontario man considering having his driveway paved received a quote from a company for $7,000, but then, another paver in the neighbourhood knocked on his door and offered half that rate.