Sask. family revisits legislature following eviction
Things have gone from bad to worse for a Regina family that came to the legislative building for housing help. They were being evicted from low cost housing over a rent misunderstanding. Now, social services warns that they could be cut off welfare.
Frank Francouer was back at the legislative building on Thursday, this time with a letter from Social Services warning him that he may be cut off from income assistance.
“On the letter it says I have until June 15 to provide a new address, otherwise my July benefits will be suspended,” he said.
Earlier this month, the disabled single father of two came to the legislative building after receiving an eviction notice from Regina Housing. He had not been charged enough rent and now owes just over $1,000, which he doesn’t have. Families left without an address don’t qualify for a social assistance cheque.
“I didn’t get the assurance from the minister’s office after I sat down with them. I explained to them everything. They had no concern walking out of the meeting that there was any outstanding information that they needed from me,” he said.
The NDP opposition is trying to help the family keep a roof over their heads.
“Instead of an effort to keep a roof over his family’s head or providing support for his rental arrears or any recognition that SIS is not enough for people to live on, this government cut him off his benefits three days ago,” said NDP MLA Meara Conway.
The Minister of Social Services, Lori Carr, believes the situation can be sorted out.
“With income assistance clients who have a change in circumstances, we request information from them, give them a certain amount of time to get that information to us so they’re just given notice that if the information doesn’t come, you could be cut off of benefits,” she said.
The Francouer family has been looking for a new place to live but said Social Services won’t cover security deposits or moving expenses. They’re packed and ready to leave on a moment’s notice but don’t know where they will be going.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'Anything to win': Trudeau says as Poilievre defends meeting protesters
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre of welcoming 'the support of conspiracy theorists and extremists,' after the Conservative leader was photographed meeting with protesters, which his office has defended.
What is changing about Canada's capital gains tax and how does it impact me?
The federal government's proposed change to capital gains taxation is expected to increase taxes on investments and mainly affect wealthy Canadians and businesses. Here's what you need to know about the move.
'My stomach dropped': Winnipeg man speaks out after being criminally harassed following single online date
A Winnipeg man said a single date gone wrong led to years of criminal harassment, false arrests, stress and depression.
Bank of Canada officials split on when to start cutting interest rates
Members of the Bank of Canada's governing council were split on how long the central bank should wait before it starts cutting interest rates when they met earlier this month.
Pilot reported fire onboard plane carrying fuel, attempted to return to Fairbanks just before crash
One of the two pilots aboard an airplane carrying fuel reported there was a fire on the airplane shortly before it crashed and burned outside Fairbanks, killing both people on board, a federal aviation official said Wednesday.
'One of the single most terrifying things ever': Ontario couple among passengers on sinking tour boat in Dominican Republic
A Toronto couple are speaking out about their 'extremely dangerous' experience on board a sinking tour boat in the Dominican Republic last week.
Quebec nurse had to clean up after husband's death in Montreal hospital
On a night she should have been mourning, a nurse from Quebec's Laurentians region says she was forced to clean up her husband after he died at a hospital in Montreal.
7 surveillance videos linked to extortions of South Asian home builders in Edmonton released
The Edmonton Police Service has released a number of surveillance videos related to a series of extortion cases in the city now dubbed 'Project Gaslight.'
Ukraine uses long-range missiles secretly provided by U.S. to hit Russian-held areas, officials say
Ukraine for the first time has begun using long-range ballistic missiles provided secretly by the United States, bombing a Russian military airfield in Crimea last week and Russian forces in another occupied area overnight, American officials said Wednesday.