Steady growth of Regina tent community draws concern from mayor
Regina’s mayor has given agencies roughly two weeks to find housing for residents of a tent community in Pepsi Park before the city starts looking at putting an end to the camp.
Conditions have gotten colder for the two dozen homeless people living in tents in Pepsi Park.
“The city doesn’t support or endorse a tent city on public property. We do however have an obligation to keep people safe, both those in the encampment as well as the surrounding neighbourhoods,” Sandra Masters said.
Contributing factors to homelessness are complicated and one tent community resident told CTV News some at the camp have turned to drugs to dull the pain in their lives. An emergency task force has been deployed to the scene comprised of social workers, police and fire.
On Wednesday city council approved a partnership with the federal government to build an $8 million supportive housing complex for 29 people experiencing homelessness. However, it won’t be ready for this winter.
Two government-funded buildings intended for supportive living sit vacant including one in south Regina and another on Fifth Avenue due to a lack of a social agency to operate them.
So far, the government has relocated nine people from the camp to hotels or shelters and 17 residents have opted not to leave.
“If people either have a mental health, addictions issue, they’re suffering intergenerational trauma or have certain kinds of disabilities, oftentimes that may translate into a distrust of service providers,” Louise Michaud, assistant deputy minister of Social Services said.
Social Services said it is working to build trust with community members before time runs out.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Montreal doctors' breakthrough discovery about causes of cerebral palsy giving hope
A breakthrough discovery made by doctors at the Montreal Children's Hospital about the causes of cerebral palsy is giving new hope to one West Island family.
Weather alerts issued for 7 provinces, 1 territory
Warnings of up to 60 millimetres of rain and other alerts have been issued for seven Canadian provinces and one territory ahead of the Easter weekend.
Ontario homeowner on the hook for $27,000 when contractor severed power line
An Ontario man who built a garage on his property has been locked in a battle with his electricity provider for a year and half over a severed power line.
For years she thought her son had died of an overdose. The police video changed all that
Austin Hunter Turner died in 2017, on a night that his mother has rewound and replayed again and again, trying to make sense of what happened.
Feeling older than you are? It could be how you sleep
Not getting enough sleep may cause you to feel five to 10 years older than you really are, according to two new studies.
OPP seize $7.5 million worth of drugs in eastern Ontario
The Upper Ottawa Valley Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police says one person is facing multiple charges after a traffic complaint on Highway 17 in Head Clara Maria Township.
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
Why Kim Kardashian is being sued for 'knockoff' furniture
The estate of minimalist contemporary artist Donald Judd filed a lawsuit against Kardashian this week, claiming the fashion and beauty mogul promoted 'cheap knockoffs' of his furniture designs.
Where is the worst place for allergy sufferers in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.