Regina's Camp Marjorie growing as organizers scheduled to meet with city officials
Camp Marjorie has grown to more than 40 tents and 60 people since it started 11 days ago, and on Tuesday afternoon organizers were scheduled to meet with City of Regina officials to discuss next steps.
The camp started with one tent and has grown continuously as more people who are facing homelessness come to seek shelter.
“In the past couple of days, the growth has really amazed me,” Alysia Johnson, a volunteer organizer with Camp Marjorie, said. “We knew that there was a really high need, but I think we’ve been overwhelmed with just how high it is.”
The Ministry of Social Services confirmed it has helped 55 people from the camp in the past week by connecting them with services like the Saskatchewan Income Support and the Saskatchewan Assured Income for Disability programs.
“The ministry may provide a stay in a hotel room to individuals needing emergency shelter whether they are currently on income assistance benefits or not,” Chad Ryan, the acting executive director of Income Assistance Service Delivery, said in a statement. “Some individuals have accepted support to be relocated temporarily to hotel and/or shelters.”
The ministry said 13 applications for social housing have also been completed.
Still, the camp continues to see growth which is increasing the demand for donations.
Johnson said non-perishable snacks, warm food, drinks, socks and undergarments are some of the items most needed at the camp.
Community based organizations offering support for people facing pregnancy, addictions and victims services have also begun offering their help to people at the camp, which Johnson said is greatly appreciated.
“The tricky element here is that we don’t really have the formality of a check-in, check-out process,” she explained. “Because our goal is to provide the necessities of survival, it is really hard to track people because they’re welcome to come and go as they please.”
She said because of this, any community groups looking to provide their services are encouraged to visit the camp.
“The easiest route is to come to camp and have a chat with people and see who’s there,” she said.
Organizers confirmed they are scheduled to have a meeting with city officials late on Tuesday afternoon to discuss next steps for the camp.
“My hope [for the meeting] is just an honest discussion,” Johnson said. “We’re not expecting the world here, we just want the problem to be seen, understood, we want to be heard and frankly we just want to get to solutions. That’s really the whole point.”
In an emailed statement, the City of Regina said its priority is ensuring the safety of everyone at the camp.
“Discussions are continuing and city officials will be available later in the week to respond to questions,” the statement reads.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Israel attacks Iran, Reuters sources say; drones reported over Isfahan
Israel has attacked Iran, three people familiar with the matter told Reuters, as Iranian state media reported early on Friday that its forces had destroyed drones, days after Iran launched a retaliatory drone strike on Israel.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Colin Jost names one celebrity who is great at hosting 'Saturday Night Live'
Colin Jost, who co-anchors Saturday Night Live's 'Weekend Update,' revealed who he thinks is one of the best hosts on the show.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.